Diving holidays - Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
Each week at activityaway.co.uk we will be looking at the best diving spots in the world, giving you the low down and the facts. This week, we look at one of the most spectacular dive spots in the world – The Aliwal Shoal in South Africa.
Where is it?
Aliwal Shoal is located 3-5 kilometres off the coast of Umkomaas, just south of the South African city of Durban.
What’s it all about?
The Aliwal Shoal, was rated as one of the top ten dive sites by Diver Magazine and is an area of elaborate sandstone structures of caves and peaks. It is about 5 kilometres in length and has a fascinating array of soft corals and sponges. It attracts over 1200 species and here you are likely to fulfil every divers wish. This is also one of the best dives to see sharks in their natural environment without the use of a cage.
What’s the diving like?
Visibility varies from between five and 40 metres and the water temperature stays between 19 °C and 24°C year round. The shoal attracts thousands of species of fish, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and even whales. The caves are also home to a large number of ragged tooth sharks (terrifying looking, but generally harmless). In the summer you can see tiger sharks and hammerheads here. Besides the varied wildlife, there are a number of wrecks that you can explore, including The Nebo and The Produce.
Dive equipment rental and dive companies
There are a number of dive companies that will take you out for dives on the shoal and rent you the necessary equipment. Aliwal Dive Centre located in Umkomaas is a good option. The Centre also has a beautiful dive lodge with stylish and comfortable rooms.
Another good choice is Aliwal Shoal Scuba Diving, which was the first PADI Gold Palm Scuba Diving Resort in South Africa. They also have comfortable lodgings and do baited shark dives.
You can also book dive safaris and rent equipment from Aliwal Shoal, also in Umkomaas. All companies can organise PADI dive courses to get your certificates.
Dive South Africa is a bigger company that organises dive safaris all over South Africa, but also to Aliwal.
Accommodation options
The KwaMnandi Lodge is a great place to stay. It offers self catering facilities or can provide home cooked meals. The lodge is popular with dive groups and will also help you organise your dive through Adventure Diving Safaris.
You could also try the rooms at the dive centres. Aliwal Dive Centre Dive Lodge has a beautiful lodge with stylish and comfortable rooms. It also has a full bar, wifi, laundry and airport transfer services. Aliwal Shoal Scuba Diving provides basic but comfortable rooms, as well as a pool table and outdoor jacuzzi.
Raggie’s Rest is a basic self catering cottage, ideal for families or groups of friends. It has a fully equipped kitchen and large garden with a swimming pool.
There are also a number of other self catering cottages, run by Aliwal Cottages, these sleep between two to six people, are a five minute walk from the beach and also have swimming pools.
Interesting fact
The Produce is a Norwegian tanker that struck Aliwal Shoal in 1974 and sank with no lives lost. She lies 30 metres below the surface and is home to massive brindle bass and rare harlequin goldies.
Best suited to...
Those who have dived before and have their PADI Open Water or Melt du Plooy certificates. However, if you’re a beginner you can do your dive course and training in Umkomaas itself at any of the places mentioned above and then dive the shoal once you’ve got it.
