Aliwal Shoal Adventures

For the SCUBA diver and shark enthusiast, there is no better site to visit than the rocky Aliwal Shoal reef, which lies five kilometres off the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Soft corals, hard corals, sponges, starfish and numerous tropical and subtropical reef fish species are charming inhabitants. While, divers delight in seeing the resident ragged tooth and tiger sharks, many other large species, like whale sharks, manta rays and sunfish are treasured sightings. Two wrecked ships, located near the reef, are popular dive sites.

Trips to the reef launch from the town of Umkomaas, a 35-minute drive from Durban. Operators based in the town offer something for everyone, including those without SCUBA diving qualifications. Dive different sections of the reef or the wrecks at depths for beginner to advanced divers or experience life below the surface from the safety of a 'shark cage', which floats at the surface next to the boat. Stay on board the board to marvel at the life above the water, five kilometres from shore; from sightings of dolphins, sharks and whales to visits from curious marine birds.

Diving at Aliwal Shoal is year-round. Located in a subtropical zone, the reef is visited by a variety of tropical and sub-tropical fish throughout the year. Winters are very mild and over these months the shoal is visited by hundreds of black tip and ragged tooth sharks.

Plan your KwaZulu-Natal trip to include a stop at Umkomaas and set aside a few hours to experience the wonder of the Aliwal Shoal.