Some of the best shark diving experiences in the world are found along South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal coast, specifically at Aliwal Shoal.
The diving aim of this trip is to see as many different species of shark as possible - ragged tooth, oceanic black-tip, bull, hammerhead, guitar, white-tip and tiger sharks all frequent Aliwal Shoal. As well as observing the sharks, you'll learn how to identify different species, understand their behaviour and find out how sharks interpret your behaviour in return.
Spend a week diving the sites at Aliwal Shoal experiencing close up encounters with several species of shark as well as a huge variety of marine life including rays, turtles, dolphin, whales and much more. In addition there are two wrecks to explore. The oceanic blacktip and oceanic whitetips sharks can be seen all year round, with ragged toothed and hammerheads best seen from May to October and bull and tiger sharks November to May. There's also the rare chance to spot giant guitar sharks and dusky sharks if you’re lucky.
Itineraries are available for 10 and 12 days. Departure dates area available throughout the year, depending on your preferred shark encounters.
Conditions can be challenging, this itinerary is suitable for experienced divers and very popular for groups of like-minded divers.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart the UK for South Africa
Day2: Arrive and transfer to Umkomaas
You will be met on arrival in Durban and transferred to your resort in the small town of Umkomaas, where you will spend the next seven nights. Spend your mornings diving and your afternoons relaxing. Some evening activities can be arranged, such as a braai (bbq) and dinners to local restaurants.
Days3-8: Dive Aliwal Shoal
Your package here includes a minimum of 10 boat dives, which includes 2 baited shark dives during your stay. The boats are launched on the river or from the beach each morning, for two dives, in the afternoon if conditions allow additional dives can be done at no extra charge to provide you with an unlimited diving experience. During your time in Umkomaas you'll dive on Aliwal Shoal where sharks are a plenty. Depending on the time of year, expect oceanic black-tip, raggies and tiger sharks.
Dive sites along the reef and wrecks offer an amazing variety of marine life. In addition to the shark encounters, expect to see turtles, various rays, colourful reef fish, dolphin and plenty more.
To join this trip, divers must be at least advanced qualified.
Day9: Depart Durban
Transfer back to Durban for your departure flight.
Day10: Arrive UK
Please note: Contact us about extending your stay to include a topside safari.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 10 daysfrom £2,095 pp
Group Departures: Please contact us for departure date details.
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.
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Excellent for: Resort based diving, Singles diving, Group diving, Shark diving
Featured accommodation:
This colonial style building is a comfortable dive resort set amongst beautiful gardens in the heart of Umkomaas, the gateway to Aliwal Shoal, offering world-class shark diving experiences.
Find Out More about Blue Ocean Dive Resort