Dive Sites : Africa : South Africa : Kwa Zulu Natal : Aliwal Shoal

Aliwal Shoal Scuba Diving

24 Dive Sites

Dive Site	Level	Reviews
Amphitheatre	Intermediate	0
Barracuda Sluit	Novice	0
Bay Of Caves	Intermediate	0
Cathederal	Novice	1
Eelskins	Novice	0
Howards Castle	Advanced	0
Inside Anvil	Novice	0
Inside Edge Reef West	Novice	0
Landers Reef	Advanced	0
Manta Point	Intermediate	0
Nebo Wreck	Intermediate	0
North Sands	Novice	0
Northern Pinnacles	Novice	0
Outside Edge	Novice	0
Raggie Cave	Novice	0

Aliwal Shoal is a rock reef which is located 5 kilometers out to sea, off the coast of Umkomaas, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The area is known as one of South Africa's premier scuba diving destinations, with it's excellent water visibility, warm waters and unbelievably vibrant marine ecosystem. Aliwal Shoal was in fact named as one of the top ten scuba diving destinations in the world by none other than the legendary Jacques Cousteau.

The large reef hosts a variety of both hard and soft corals, rich in colour. The marine life here is spectacular and if sharks are your thing, you will love Aliwal Shoal. Between August and November you can experience masses of Ragged Tooth sharks, also known as Raggies locally, these are also known as Grey Nurse Sharks in other parts. These docile sharks breed during these months and it's possible to see more than 30 in a single dive. Though Raggies aren't the only sharks you're likely to encounter here, Hammerheads, Copper Sharks, Zambezi Sharks and Whale Sharks are also often seen here. Other marine life includes turtles, sweetlips, rays, eels, potato grouper and plenty of dolphins.

Several wrecks lay around the reef, most notably the Nebo and the Produce. These wrecks not only offer scuba diving wreck opportunities but house an array of marine life.

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