Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks are two of South Africa's most famous dive locations. Sharks are what make these locations most famous, but at Aliwal Shoal in particular there is some very interesting sub-tropical reef, underwater topography and wrecks. Another dimension of their fame is the way in which you reach the dive sites. Both dive sites start at about 3km offshore, which along Natal surf and sand beaches involves a roller coaster ride past the surf zone in a high power rigid inflatable boat (RIB).  Once beyond the surf, the sea rolls much more gently with the Southern Ocean swell.

Both sites can provide encounters with a great variety of fish as well as turtles, rays and sharks; whilst from the boat you might be lucky enough to see jumpy schools of sardines, giant pods of dolphins and humpback whales which are seasonal visitors to the area. There is also plenty of hard and soft coral life to enjoy.

The Sharks of Aliwal Shoal & Protea Banks

Between October to May the sharks we can most hope to see are schools of Hammerheads and Black Tip Sharks. This is not the black tip reef shark, but Carcharhinus limbatus which reaches up to 2 ½ meters. These sharks habit coastal waters to a depth of about 30 meters. Our chances of seeing Tiger Sharks or a Zambezi (Bull) Shark on the reefs is slim since as a policy Aqua-Firma doesn't get involved with chumming or baiting.

Between June and November, our interest switches to the Ragged Tooth Shark, also know as the Sand Tiger or Grey nurse shark. These sharks congregate in large numbers to breed and your chances to see them at Aliwal and Protea are higher than almost anywhere in the World. What makes this shark so interesting are the fearsome-looking teeth which protrude from its mouth, so-designed to capture slippery fish. Whilst it may look fearsome and can reach more than 3 metres in length, it is a fairly docile shark and one which divers can enjoy some fairly close company with. A dive site called the Cathedral at Aliwal is one of the most assured locations to see it.

The Wrecks of Aliwal

There are two significant wrecks at Aliwal Shoal we can dive on. The oldest is the Nebo which ran aground in 1884 on her maiden voyage from Sunderland to Durban. She lies in 28 metres of water on her side, which suggests that she was toppled by a wave breaking on Aliwal's submerged sand dunes. The Produce sank in 1974. She is a Norwegian bul carrier which was ripped open on Aliwal's Northern Pinnacles. She lies between 12 and 35 meters beneath the sea surface.

Where to Stay

Our favoured location for accommodation when diving at Aliwal and Protea is in the area's prettiest coastal area of Pennnington, which lies between the two sites. The beaches are wonderful here and the Coastal Dune Forests of the Umdoni Park are a real asset for afternoon walks (diving is a morning activity along this coast because in the afternoon, winds and surf pick up to make boat launches risky). A stopover in Durban is also worth considering, where we usually stay in a lovely boutique guest house close to the highly sociable North Beach surfing area.

Small Group Trip

We will be running a small group trip to Aliwal in conjunction to our April 2012 Mozambique Manta Ray Research and conservation trip. It will be led by Aqua-Firma's Ralph Pannell who did many of his early dives at Aliwal en route to becoming a NAUI Instructor.

We will be based at a stunning colonial style country house beside the Umdoni Park, with our last night at a similarly impressive guest house close to North Beach in Durban. This short trip will include 2 days of diving, but if you want to do more we can arrange this.

Expected water temperature in April: 22^oC but thermoclines can bring this down to ~19^oC.

Photographs kindly provided by SAT, Imabali Isibindi, SCT, Botha House, Mark Addison

South Africa Safari and holidays - Kruger National Park - Sodwana Bay - Vamizi Island - Hluhluwe - Mkuzi - Johannesburg - Durban Natal Province - Stellenbosch & Cape Town - Great White Sharks - Titsikama - Botswana - Pemba Tanzania - Kenya & South Africa Airways - Mozambique Manta Ray Research & Conservation experience - Queen of the Mantas - Natal Sharks Board - Durban - Cape Town - Pietermaritzberg - Johannesburg - Tanzania - Kenya - Botswana - Namibia - Umkomaas - Aliwal Shoal - Protea Banks

The following itinerary is the basis of a led small group trip - but it can be operated tailor made at any time. It can also be extended, or reduced to focus on Aliwal or the Protea Banks in isolation.

9^th April, 2012

Arrive Durban where you will be met and driven overland to a colonial style house at Pennington.

Afternoons tend to bring surf too high to dive, so the afternoon to relax, wander into KwaZulu-Natal's Coastal Dune Forest, or even play golf.

10^th April

You will be collected from the hotel and driven to Umkomaas. Here you will receive a briefing about the Aliwal Shoals dive sites and an introduction into the process of breaking through large surf by rigid inflatable boat (RIB). These rides are all part of the excitement of diving at Aliwal. Once beyond the surf, you will travel about 3km offshore over what can often be large swell. Watch out for sardines jumping, sharks fins breaking the sea surface and pods of dolphins which can reach more than a hundred individuals.

2 dives at Aliwal Shoal.

Afternoon to relax back at your coastal mansion.

11^th April

2 dives at Aliwal Shoal.

Following our dives we will head into central Durban and out boutique guest house. North Beach is close by with its bars and surfing.

Those who want to stay for further diving at Aliwal, we will need to move you to alternative coastal accommodation at Umkomaas … or futher south if your interest is the Protea Banks. We can also arrange extensions further north to the coral reef locations of Sodwana or Rocktail Bay; or for safaris at Hluhluwe, Makuze or St Lucia / iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

12^th April

We will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. This will need to be later than 2pm in order to decompress sufficiently before your flight.