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Dive Locations

8 recommended locations. Please contact us for further suggestions.

Aliwal Shoal

A must for divers, Aliwal Shoal is home to over 1,200 species of fish and an abundance of corals, as well as turtles, rays and pelagics. From June through to November ragged tooth sharks congregate to mate, while huge tiger sharks and hammerheads are also seen. Find Out More about Aliwal Shoal

  • Ideal for viewing: ragged tooth shark, tiger shark, scalloped hammerhead shark, humpback whale, oceanic black-tip shark
  • Excellent for: Resort based diving, Singles diving, Group diving, Shark diving

Cape Town

Cape Town is South Africa’s most beautiful city and is surrounded by incredible marine life. For divers, great white sharks are the big draw and are best seen from April to September, while late winter sees southern right & Bryde's whales visit Cape Town’s waters. Find Out More about Cape Town

  • Ideal for viewing: great white shark, southern right whale, Bryde’s whale, fur seal, cow shark
  • Excellent for: Resort based diving, Shark diving, Great white shark

False Bay

The diversity of marine life in False Bay is amazing, however the highlight is the sight of great white sharks flying through the air as they prey on fur seals during August and September. Nearby is picturesque Simonstown, with Boulder beach and its penguin colony. Find Out More about False Bay

  • Ideal for viewing: great white shark, fur seal, broadnose sevengill shark, pyjama shark, brown shyshark
  • Excellent for: Shark diving, Great white shark, Cage diving

Gansbaai & Dyer Island

Gansbaai is the world capital of the great white shark, and Dyer Island presents one of the best places in the world to observe these elusive animals. From June to December, Gansbaai is also home to the southern right whale which visits the area to breed. Find Out More about Gansbaai & Dyer Island

  • Ideal for viewing: great white shark, southern right whale, African penguin, Cape fur seal
  • Excellent for: Resort based diving, Shark diving, Great white shark, Cage diving

Protea Banks

Often described as the best shark diving site in the world, Protea offers exciting encounters with eight species of shark including ragged-toothed, hammerheads and Zambezi (bull). A location suited to experienced divers only, this is adventure diving at its best. Find Out More about Protea Banks

  • Ideal for viewing: bull shark, tiger shark, pelagic thresher shark, scalloped hammerhead shark, common dolphin
  • Excellent for: Resort based diving, Shark diving

Hermanus Bay

Hermanus comes alive between August and November when whales arrive in abundance, providing a remarkable wildlife experience. It is one of the world’s finest locations for shore-based whale watching, with humpbacks and southern right whales seen almost daily. Find Out More

  • Excellent for: Whale watching

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

Located in KwaZulu Natal, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is one of South Africa’s most popular wildlife parks, home to all the major predators, including lion, leopard, elephant and Cape buffalo. The park also carries out world-renowned white rhino conservation work. Find Out More

  • Excellent for: Wildlife

Kruger National Park

Kruger is world famous for good reason, since it offers a wildlife experience which ranks with the best in Africa. Unrivalled in its diversity of species, including the main predators, it makes a fantastic extension to any South Africa or Mozambique diving holiday. Find Out More

  • Excellent for: Wildlife

View trips to these locations

Dive trips

South Africa shouts ‘adventure’ to any diver, with thrilling shark encounters around its epic coastline. Extend your stay with a topside safari in Kruger, indulge yourself in the winelands region, discover Cape Town or travel over the border to Mozambique.
6 recommended trips. Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

SharkWEEK Diving Adventure

Experience some of the best shark diving in the world! This exciting trip offers diving at Aliwal Shoal where encounters with ragged tooth, oceanic black-tip, bull, hammerhead and tiger sharks are regular. Find Out More about SharkWEEK Diving Adventure

  • When to go: Jan-May, Aug-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 10 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £2,095 pp
  • Trip type: Group trip

Cape Town Extravaganza

A great trip idea showcasing the best of Cape Town above and below the water, including encounters with amazing wildlife, spectacular scenery and some fabulous diving, including possible great white shark encounters. Find Out More about Cape Town Extravaganza

  • When to go: Jan-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 10 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £3,995 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

Sardine Run Adventure

Witness the ‘Greatest Shoal on Earth’ as millions of sardines migrate along South Africa’s eastern coastline in June and July. Dive and snorkel with thousands of dolphins, seals, sharks, whales, and even birds. Find Out More about Sardine Run Adventure

  • When to go: Jun-Jul
  • Duration inc. flights: 11 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £3,675 pp
  • Trip type: Group trip

BIG in South Africa

Designed for experienced divers who like their marine life big, this trip idea includes two locations on the east coast of South Africa renowned for their prolific and variety of shark encounters. Find Out More about BIG in South Africa

  • When to go: Nov-Jun
  • Duration inc. flights: 9 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £1,845 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

When to go

South Africa has great marine life encounters throughout the year.

Seasons

  • Cool season

    Apr to Sep: South Africa’s winter months see a drop in temperatures, particularly around Cape Town
  • Warm season

    Oct to Mar: South Africa’s summer brings warmer sea temperatures to Atlantic sites, but greater rainfall

Wildlife events

  • Apr to Sep: Great white sharks are most active around Seal and Dyer islands, however sea conditions can be variable.
  • Jun to Jul: Amazing wildlife encounters on the Sardine Run along east coast
  • Jun to Oct: Humpback whale migration along KwaZulu-Natal coast
  • Jun to Nov: Ragged tooth sharks congregate to mate at Aliwal Shoal
  • Jan to Mar: Best months for tiger, bull and hammerhead shark sightings at Protea Banks

Dive Resorts