Trip Report · 09 Feb 2021
South Africa punches well above its weight when it comes to diving. Here are ten of the best sites the country has to offer.
An awesome event that occurs in June and July as massive schools of sardines start their migration from the colder depths of the Cape and move up to the warmer waters of KwaZulu-Natal. Divers descend to shallow depths of 5–7 metres to witness dolphins, whales, sharks, and Cape gannets feeding on the sardines as they pass.
This site features Zambezi and tiger sharks, spectacular whip corals, and blue and gold fusiliers. Divers begin at a 100-metre ledge and reach depths of between 27–30 metres, encountering caves, pinnacles and plenty of sharks for the adrenaline junkies, along with longnose hawkfish hiding beneath black coral overhangs.
Positioned around 100 metres offshore, south-west of Cape Town in the Atlantic Ocean, this site features boulders that create wonderful swim-throughs and secret spots for marine life, including nudibranchs, starfish, soft sponges and crayfish. It's a great pick for newer divers looking for a refreshing dive combined with a beach day.
Located within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park north of Durban, this site is known for its coral diversity, with the best diving conditions from April through September. During December and January, when the water warms to around 25°C, you may spot turtles nesting nearby. Expect layered, contoured coral alongside species like tiger angelfish, purple butterflyfish and yellowtail goldie.
This offshore site sits on an 80,000-year-old sandstone reef and has been named one of the top ten dive sites in the world. From June through November, divers encounter ragged-tooth sharks, while summer months bring the chance to see tiger sharks and hammerheads.
Port Elizabeth offers some of the coldest water temperatures in the country, so a dry suit is a good idea. In return you get a gorgeous, densely populated coral reef — an amazing experience worth the cold conditions.
This wreck dive sits at depths of 18–21 metres, exploring a navy frigate that was scuttled in 1987 and has since become an artificial reef. The vessel settled with her bow to the south, creating holes, nooks and crannies where divers encounter shy sharks, various fish species and soft coral.
Located 5km south of Simon's Town, this area comprises three shore dives, one of which features a small cave entrance shaped like the letter "A". It suits night diving well and reveals pipefish, lobsters, seals, several types of rays, and harmless sharks such as pyjama sharks and dogfish.
Mossel Bay offers shelter and one of the mildest climates in the world. While the area is known for shark cage diving, Storms River Mouth itself focuses on gorgeous reefs and big fish. The tame drop-off makes for great night diving too.
Sitting at around 20 metres, the Paquita was a 460-ton German vessel that ran ashore in 1903 after striking the Knysna Heads en route to Barbados. Tidal conditions require precise timing, but the dive rewards you with seahorses, steenbras and gorgeous corals.