Aliwal Shoal

Best time to dive

January to December; September to November

What you might see

• Bull sharkPossible
• DolphinLikely
• Grey reef sharkLikely
• Hammerhead sharkLikely
• Moray eelLikely
• Tiger sharkLikely
• Whale sharkPossible

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Technical - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.

Snorkelling

Not a snorkel site - Limited - this is primarily a scuba site; surface-level shark encounters occur on some baited dives but dedicated snorkelling is not a typical offering

Safety notes

Rough seas and swells, seasickness on the boat launch, challenging surf entries/exits, shark interaction protocols on baited dives, current at depth

Permits & fees

Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area; baited shark dives typically cost around ZAR 1,500, reef/wreck dives around ZAR 700 (fees/pricing subject to change - VERIFY current rates)

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Umkomaas