Shark Diving Destinations of South Africa « Boleng

Shark Diving Destinations of South Africa

Cape Town

This area offers a wide variety of opportunities for refreshingly cold water dives. A colourful underwater-world with kelp forests, seven-gilled cowsharks, seals, penguins and ship wrecks lets every diver’s heart beat just a little faster. Every year from October to May, the warm Mozambique current brings clear, blue water filled with plankton to this area. When this current arrives in the Cape, it is time to look for pelagic sharks such as makos and blue sharks, about 15 to 40 nautical miles out on the open Atlantic. Sometimes smooth dogfish and hammerheads are seen. Different species of tuna also often visit the diving boat, and it is absolutely spectacular to dive with them. Outings are weather-dependant, though.

Breaching Sharks in False Bay near Cape Town

False Bay is one of only a few places worldwide where the Great Whites catapult themselves out of the water during their hunt for seals, which they then catch in midair – an incredible sight! During these outings a contraption (a dummy simulating a seal) is used to try and stimulate this behaviour for the photographers on board. The outing is dependant on weather, and observation from a cage depends on underwater visibility.

Great Whites at Dyer Island

Dyer Island situated near Gansbaai (about 150km east of Cape Town) is one of the best places worldwide to observe these magnificent predators. The boats halt in the “Shark Channel” between two islands; one is habited by seals, the other by birds. Together they form a fantastic natural “shark restaurant”.
You can also try your luck at the Joubert Dam Reef close by. When the chumming has been released in the water, the waiting begins. Once the sharks have arrived and are swimming around the boat, a cage is lowered into the water from where you can observe them. This is a very exciting experience – no matter whether from the deck or from the cage!

Along the Garden Route

Diving opportunities are found in Mossel Bay (from December – May), Knysna (June – Sept; Dec – Jan), Storms River and Plettenberg Bay (Sept & Oct).

Port Elizabeth

Situated on the eastern end of the Garden Route, it is a diving area highly appreciated by specialists. Every year around the end of May, gigantic shoals of sardines pass this area and attract a great variety of pelagic life: various shark species, birds and other maritime creatures.
The squid run is also an exciting experience, which takes place from November to December. Unfortunately the water is quite cool and visibility mostly limited.

Protea near Shelly Beach

This reef is our “shark Mecca”, and lies about 120km south of Durban. It is situated 8 km from the coast in the open ocean and has a depth of 30+ metres. The diving base is of the “mobile” kind, meaning that you simply meet the other divers and the instructor in a certain corner of the small harbour at a predetermined time. From here on the dives will start and finish with an exciting beaching through the waves.

Due to the sharks, distance from the coast and strong currents these dives are only for experienced divers. These dives are dependant on the weather, which is often quite unpredictable during August and September.

Black tip and Hammerhead shark: Oct – May
Bull shark: Nov – Jul
Sandtiger shark: May – Nov
Guitar shark: Dec – Mai
Whale shark: Nov – Apr
Tiger shark: Nov – Jul

Aliwal Shoal and Launders Reef

Aliwal Shoal is world renowned as the Tigershark destination. It offers an extremely interesting mix between cold water and tropical diving. Sandtiger sharks, Tiger sharks and Blacktip sharks, similar to Protea Banks, can be seen here. The dive base is situated in Umkomaas, only a few minutes by car to the starting point: the launch through the waves.

Sodwana Bay & Rocktail Beach

Here you will find Africa’s southernmost coral reefs, one of our main attractions. The different hard and soft corals make this a very sought after diving destination. Hawksbill turtles have made this region their nesting place and lay their eggs on the beach between November and January.
During the dives, you will encounter many different types of tropical fish (over 1200 different species live in these waters). Dolphins and Whale sharks (Nov -Apr), Humpback whales, Raggies and Mantas are regularly seen here.

Southern Mozambique – Ponto do Ouro / Ponta Mamoli

Endless beaches, warm waters (22° – 25°C), friendly accommodation and many beautiful reefs are the main attraction of this area. During the summer months (Nov -Apr), snorkelling with dolphins and Whale sharks is a very popular activity. Hammerhead sharks and Bull sharks are often sighted.
In Mozambique the visibility is usually very good, but dependant on weather and current, since the reefs mostly lie in the open ocean. More than 15 reefs, 15 to 40 metres deep await you with uncountable numbers of tropical fish, turtles and sometimes sharks and dolphins, playfully racing alongside the boat.

Central Mozambique

The areas of Zavora, Tofo, Guinjata near Inhambane and Pomene a bit further northwards are well-known for their endless beaches, warm water, good food, sun, Whale sharks (high season: Nov – Apr) and Mantas.

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