South Africa is a treasure trove for adventurous divers, offering some of the most exhilarating underwater experiences on the planet. With a coastline that stretches over 2,500 kilometers along both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, this diverse marine environment presents opportunities for all levels of divers, from the wild, adrenaline-pumping shark dives to the magical seasonal spectacle of the sardine run.
Diving in South Africa is more than just a dive, it’s an underwater adventure that promises to leave you breathless. From the heart-pounding excitement of shark encounters to the awe-inspiring spectacle of the sardine run, South Africa’s waters offer something for every diver. Whether you're exploring its vibrant reefs, swimming with dolphins, or staring into the eyes of a Great White, South Africa is a destination that will stay with you long after you've surfaced.
Diving Seasons
South Africa’s diving seasons are as varied as its marine life. The best time to dive depends on what you want to see:
Shark Diving
For the famous Great White Sharks, the best season is from May to September around Gansbaai and False Bay. Tiger Sharks, Bull Sharks, and other pelagic species are best spotted from November to May in KwaZulu-Natal.
Sardine Run
This world-renowned phenomenon typically takes place between May and July along the Wild Coast. This is when billions of sardines migrate along the coast, drawing in a variety of predators, making it a bucket-list experience for divers.
Tropical Reefs
The warmer waters of the Indian Ocean along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, especially around Sodwana Bay, are best explored from April to October when visibility is at its peak.
Wreck Diving
The Cape Peninsula offers wreck diving year-round, with colder waters but excellent visibility from March to May.
Top Diving Regions :
Aliwal Shoal
Just south of Durban, Aliwal Shoal is famous for its Ragged Toothed Shark (Spotted Sand Tiger) which congregate in the area during the winter months. Encounters are very close up and they congregate in massive numbers between June and September. Oceanic black tip sharks and White tip reef sharks are both all year round in large numbers. Diving here is an experience never to forget. From Pelagics to macro, pretty to scary we have it all. The shoal is also home to wrecks like the Produce and Nebo, making it a great spot for both reef and wreck diving.
Protea Banks
Located off the coast of Shelly Beach, Protea Banks is a dive site that promises heart-pounding experiences. This is where you can encounter large pelagic species. The bull sharks can be found around the Protea Banks during the summer months between November to May. Divers can also bait for them which makes for a very exciting experience. Tiger Shark mostly seen on the baited dives during February to March. Hammerhead Shark can be seen all year round and more prevalent in the summer months where the scalloped congregate in very large numbers.
Wild Coast (Sardine Run)
Every year from around February to August the South African Coast is enriched with life. Starting at the west coast of South Africa in around February and moving along to the east coast of South Africa through the months until around August when they disappear.
During the Sardine Run, as the colder water moves up the east coast of South Africa, the sardines follow the currents and their food source, bringing a huge diversity of predators with them including many species of whales, shark, dolphin, game fish, sailfish, penguins, seals and more. The annual Humpback Whale migration passes Port St. Johns, offering some amazing sightings of the Humpback Whales, in the water, close to the boats and when the whales are breaching!
Diving here during the run is not for the faint-hearted but offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the raw power of nature as predators chase the sardines in a feeding frenzy. You’ll feel like you’re in a David Attenborough production or filming for Natgeo or the BBC Earth series.
Gansbaai and False Bay
If you're looking to dive with Great White Sharks, Gansbaai is the place to be. Cage diving here offers a safe but thrilling way to get up close and personal with these apex predators. False Bay is also known for its Great White population and the incredible “flying” sharks that breach while hunting seals. In general, the best time of the year to see the Great White Sharks in the Gansbaai area is between June and September when the visibility in the water is at its best.
Sodwana Bay
Situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, this is the go-to destination for those seeking tropical reef diving. The reefs here are alive with vibrant corals, a myriad of reef fish, turtles, and occasional sightings of Whale Sharks and Manta Rays.
