Aliwal Shoal

“The Shoal”, lying 5.5 km off the shore of the southern Kwazulu Natal coast offers scuba divers the unique opportunity to experience both wreck and reef dives, as well as seasonal shark diving, at the same site.

The small coastal town of Umkomaas offers a good selection of restaurants, at which locals and visitors alike talk diving over good food and refreshments. Accommodation at the hotel is comfortable and adjoins the dive centre. This “five star” scuba center has a host of facilities on offer, including a large 5-meter dive pool for those who wish to test gear and get the feel of their equipment. Kitting up is done in the comfort of the dive centre, and gear is then loaded and transported, along with the diver, to the launch site. Upon returning warm showers, kit racks and storage facilities are available.
Good wholesome breakfasts can be enjoyed above the dive centre.

“The Shoal” has seen the demise of a few coastal ships, one of which, “The Produce”, offers advanced divers the opportunity to see the underwater grave of a cargo ship, still relatively unaffected by the elements. This wreck lies 33 meters below.
The other wreck in the vicinity is that of the “Nebo”, lying 27 meters below, and is merely a skeleton of the vessel.

Aliwal shoal boasts an abundance of fish life, including turtles, pods of dolphin and large rays of varying species. There are many caves, overhangs, long ledges and lovely large potholes. Sand banks with, potato bass, rock cod and large sand sharks are scattered along the reef. Experience swim-throughs under rock formations, home to an abundance of rock lobsters. Surround yourself with clouds of goldies, whilst admiring lionfish, stonefish, rays and a host of nudibranchs.
Throughout “raggie season” (July to September), divers are afforded the opportunity to swim with Ragged Tooth Sharks. This is an experience a diver will treasure for the rest of their life.

On occasion, the Shoal has the capability of being a very testing dive site, however, when Mother Nature permits, it is a most tranquil diving experience.