Diving the Aliwal Shoal
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Join us for year-round Guaranteed Shark Diving at the Aliwal Shoal.

Each morning we launch and go out to sea for a double tank dive. By doing a double tank dive, we are not restricted to diving only the crown area of the Aliwal Shoal and we can travel to some further out dive sites that are not dived that often. We are also able to look for Whales & Dolphin during the surface interval. Single tank dives are available by request.

Our aim each week is to introduce divers to between 3 & 5 species of shark. We offer different types of dives which are based around diving with the different species of shark found on the Aliwal Shoal

We offer two dives each day, extra diving is available when conditions allow.

       

Before each dive we will give a briefing to help you to understand the behaviour of the sharks, ensuring you have a safe and knowledgeable dive with the sharks. Observe the sharks, learn how to identify the different species, understand the sharks behaviour and find out how sharks interpret your behaviour in return.

Shark Dives

Our daily shark dives take place on the wrecks & reefs of the Aliwal Shoal. Depending on the season & conditions, we select the dive sites that are best for sharks including :

-- Ragged Tooth Sharks

-- Whitetip Reef Sharks

-- Giant Guitar Sharks

-- Bull Sharks [known locally as Zambezi Sharks]

-- Hammerhead Sharks & sometimes other species

       

Guaranteed Sharks or diving is FREE!  -- NO student divers restricting dives!

Baited Shark Dives

Our baited shark dive takes place on the southern end of the Aliwal Shoal. We drop the bait system into the water and the dive takes place between 10 and 15 meters. We drift with the bait system with the main aim being to dive with :

-- Oceanic Blacktip Sharks

-- Bull Sharks [known locally as Zambezi Sharks]

-- Dusky Sharks

We often have other shark species approaching the bait as well as also have a variety of other marine-life including Potato Bass, Game Fish [Tuna and Barracuda etc.], reef fish and sometimes even dolphin.

Before the baited Shark Dive, we will give a full briefing to help you to understand the behaviour of the sharks and how we behave in return.

       

Guaranteed Sharks or diving is FREE!  -- NO student divers restricting dives!

Baited Tiger Shark Dives

Our baited Tiger Shark dive takes place to the south of the Aliwal Shoal.

The baiting takes about an hour or more [depending on the Tiger Sharks]. We create an odour corridor to attract the Tiger Sharks. Once the Tiger sharks arrive we enter the water to dive with the sharks, observing the sharks in their natural enviroment.

Before the Tiger Shark Dive, we will give a full briefing to help you to understand their behaviour and how we behave in return. Tiger Sharks are very shy, they are also very inquisitive and intelligent animals which is why they are one of the ocean's apex predators and deserve the highest respect.

We generally have between two and six Tiger Sharks on a dive as well as Blacktip Sharks, Dusky Sharks and sometimes other species including Bull Sharks [known locally as Zambezi Sharks].

       

Guaranteed Sharks or diving is FREE!  -- NO student divers restricting dives!

Reef Dives

The Aliwal Shoal is home to a huge variety of marine life including Sharks, Whales, Whale Sharks, Dolphin, Turtles, Manta Rays, Devil Rays, Eagle Rays, Ribbontail Rays, Moray Eels, Game Fish, many species of reef fish & much more, which is why it is rated as one of the top-10 dive sites in the world!

       

Wreck Dives

Wreck Diving at the Aliwal Shoal is dependant on the current and conditions. There are two wrecks that we can dive, the MV Produce [1974] & the Nebo [1884] which are also great dive sites with loads of marine life including Ragged Tooth Sharks, Huge Brindle Bass [a highlight], Ragged Scorpion Fish, Lesser Guitar Sharks, Turtles, Butterfly Rays, Ribbontail Rays, Moray Eels, Game Fish, many species of reef fish.

       

ScubaAddicts Dive Centre

Our dive centre is on-site at ScubaAddicts Lodge and has been purpose built for diving. Each morning after breakfast we meet to kit-up and load the dive gear onto the dive boats. The ScubaAddicts dive crew are always available to help with your requirements.


Dive Centre Facilities

-- Hot showers for after diving [towels are provided].

-- Rinse tanks for cameras & dive gear.

-- Secure drying room for storing your dive gear after the diving.

       

       

Launching at Aliwal Shoal

Our daily shark dives start with exciting boat launches from the Umkomaas River or the beach, depending on the tide.

The diving is done from our 8-metre Superduck [RIBs] dive boats which have two 85hp Yamaha engines.The dive boats have been purpose built for surf launching and shark diving.

Our skippers & dive guides have many years experience launching & diving the Aliwal Shoal and will ensure that your stay with us exceeds your expectations.

Why dive with ScubaAddicts?


Guaranteed SHARKS or your diving is FREE!
Many dive operators offer diving with sharks and when you get there nothing! Due to the experience and knowledge of our dive team, we are the only local dive operator to offer a Shark Guarantee - Dive with Sharks or diving is FREE!


No student divers restricting dives & dive sites!
We are the only local dive operator that doesn't offer dive courses, so your dives & dive sites won't be restricted by student divers.


On-site dive centre at ScubaAddicts Dive Lodge
Our on-site dive centre ensures NO daily transfers between your accommodation & the dive center, just wake-up, roll out of bed and go shark diving - awesome!


100% Ocean views from all rooms
Every room in our beach front dive lodge overlook the Indian Ocean, miles of sandy beaches & the Aliwal Shoal, one of the top shark diving destinations in the world!


NO guides with cameras!
Our guides are there to show you the best shark diving South Africa has to offer and won't spend the dive taking photos or filming underwater instead they will get you in the best position for the taking of photos & videos.


Small Groups & Personal Service
Our dive packages have been designed for a max of 8-divers per boat, to ensure you experience the best shark diving in South Africa.


Fully Guided Diving Holidays
From the moment you arrive, we are your hosts, guides & dive guides for the duration of your stay giving you peace of mind whilst travelling in South Africa.

We also ensure you get to enjoy the best restaurants, bars, BBQs and local excursions giving you an insight to our local culture in South Africa.

Tiger Sharks
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Tiger Sharks grow up to about 6-metres, the average size is about 3-metres. Our Tiger Shark diving takes place on the reefs to the south of the Aliwal Shoal and will rate as one of the top-5 dives you will ever do - awesome!

Oceanic Blacktip Sharks
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

The Oceanic Blacktip Sharks are generally found to the south of the Aliwal Shoal. The dive starts with us dropping in on one of the dive sites on the Aliwal Shoal. We use baited & baitless methods to attract the Oceanic Blacktip Sharks.

Ragged Tooth Sharks
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Our Ragged Tooth Shark dives take place on the Aliwal Shoal and the reefs to the south of the Aliwal Shoal. The main dive sites are Cathedral, Chunnel & Raggies Cave however the sharks can be found all over the Aliwal Shoal.

Bull Sharks known locally as Zambezi
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Our Bull Shark dives takes place mainly on the reefs to the north & south of the Aliwal Shoal. Bull sharks are also seen during our Tiger Shark dive and when we dive the wrecks at the Aliwal Shoal.

Dusky Sharks
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

The Dusky Sharks are found to the south of the Aliwal Shoal during May to November. The sharks are great to dive with and they behave very similar to the Blacktip Sharks. Dusky Sharks are also seen during the Tiger Shark Dive.

Hammerhead Sharks
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Our Hammerhead Shark Dives takes place off-shore from the Aliwal Shoal. The dives are mid-water drifts and while we do have sightings of Hammerheads during most the year, our best time is during our summer months.

Giant Guitar Sharks
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Guitar Sharks are found on the sandy patches on the north and south of the Aliwal Shoal and mainly during our summer months. The are generally very calm and you can get up close allowing for some great viewing and photos.

Other Sharks
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

We also have a number of other species of sharks from time to time including Whale Sharks, Lesser Guitar Sharks, White-tip Reef Sharks & even on occassion Great White Sharks!

Humpback Whales
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Between April and November the annual Humpback Whale migration passes the Aliwal Shoal. The whales can often be seen from the boat between dives and during dives we often hear the whale song which is amazing.

Bottlenose Dolphin
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

We have a resident pod of Bottlenose Dolphin that can often be seen on Aliwal Shoal. The dolphin often approach the boat and we often see them during a dive on the sandy patches and pinnacle ridge of the Aliwal Shoal.

Manta Rays
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

We often see Manta Rays whilst diving the Aliwal Shoal. The Manta Rays vary in size from around 2-metres but can be as large as 6-metres.

Eagle Rays
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Eagle Rays are often seen on the Aliwal Shoal. During the dives we see them on the outside edge as well as on the reefs to the south of the Aliwal Shoal.

Round Ribbon-tail Rays
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Round Ribbon-tail Rays can be seen on the sandy patches of the Aliwal Shoal as well as in the current on the outside edge of the Aliwal Shoal. They can be a large as 3-metres in diametre and are sometimes in large groups.

Honeycomb Rays
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Honeycomb Rays are found all over the Aliwal Shoal, sometimes on the sandy patches or we see them swiming in mid-water. These Rays are huge and make for some fantastic photo opportunities.

Devil Rays
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Devil Rays are often seen towards the end of the dives if we drift into deeper water on the outside of the Aliwal Shoal.

They can be in small groups of two to three but can also be in the hunderds.

Ragged Scorpion Fish
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

The reefs and wrecks of the Aliwal Shoal are home to many Ragged Scorpion fish. While you don't want to touch them, they offer some fantastic photo opportunities.

Turtles
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Turtles can be found all over the Aliwal Shoal, there are many species including Green Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles and Loggerhead turtles.

Eels
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

We have a huge variety of moral eels found on the reefs and wrecks of the Aliwal Shoal including huge Honeycomb Eels, Geometric eels and Black-cheek moray eels.

Potato Bass
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Potato Bass are found all over the Aliwal Shoal and are generally very friendly and will often approach divers. We also sometimes see them during our baited Tiger Shark dives on the south of the Aliwal Shoal.

Game & Reef Fish
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

The Aliwal Shoal has a huge diversity of game and reef fish that can be seen during most dives. We are often lucky enough to have schools of barracuda, king fish and even sometimes sailfish.

Sharks Guaranteed or your diving is FREE!

Many operators locally and around the world offer diving with sharks and when you get there nothing!

Due to our experience and knowledge of our dive team, we are the only local dive operator to offer a Shark Guarantee - Dive with Sharks or your diving is FREE!



The Guarantee : We guarantee that anyone who dives with us will have an up-close encounter with sharks, if not you will be refunded the cost of the dives. This is a package offer and doesn't guarantee sharks on every dive however we generally see sharks on every dive.


The Definition : The 'Shark Guarantee' means a sighting of sharks at a distance of less than 10-metres.


The Sharks : The species of sharks that you are most likely to see include Tiger Sharks, Bull [Zambezi] Sharks, Ragged Tooth Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Dusky Sharks, Bronze Whalers [Copper Sharks], Giant Guitar Sharks and Whale Sharks. The 'Shark Guarantee' is not resticted to these species as we are often lucky enough to see others.


The Weather : Should for whatever reason the weather disrupt our diving the 'Shark Guarantee' will still apply provided we have completed at least half the dives and a baited Tiger Shark Dive.


The Diving : The diving in South Africa is for advanced divers and are group activities and if for whatever reason, a diver misses a dive or ends a dive early and the rest of the divers have a shark sighting, they will not be entitled to the refund. Any diver considered to be careless, reckless or disregard safety, thereby jeopardizing our safety, their own safety or the safety of the group, shall not be allowed to dive. In such circumstances the guarantee will not apply.


The Conditions : We reserve the right to select the dives and dive sites each day. We have constant feedback about the diving & weather and our main aim is to ensure that our guests experience the very best that we have to offer.



Special Note : We offer this shark guarantee as 'our promise' that divers will see what they have come to see - sharks.

In 5-years of offering our 'Shark Guarantee' we have never had anyone leave without seeing sharks so please don't count on the refund for your next morgage payment :-)

Typical day with Us


Kit-up and dive briefing.

Our dive centre is on-site and once breakfast is finished, we move down to the kit-up area to get ready for the days diving. Our dive team are there to help you with your gear, load the boat and to brief you on the boat launching and days diving.


Dive dive dive.

Jump on the vehicles and we are off to the launch site, where you will experience an exciting surf launch on our 8m RIB. The diving is planned around the best sites for the conditions each day, get up close with the different types of sharks as well as the rest of the marine-life found on our coastline.

Our dives are for advanced divers and the depth varies from around 15 to 35 metres depending on the dive sites. While our main focus is to dive with the many species of shark found on the reefs of the Aliwal Shoal including diving with Tiger Sharks, Ragged Tooth Sharks, Oceanic Blacktip Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Guitar Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks, Bull [known locally as Zambezi] Sharks, we do also see a huge variety of other marine life including whales, dolphin, manta rays, eagle rays, turtles, morays and much more that make reefs of the Aliwal Shoal their homes.

Generally we do two dives a day but we can do more if the conditions are suitable. Water temperature is generally between 20C - 24C in winter & 24C - 26C in summer.


After the diving.

After the dives we head on back to the dive centre where there are hot showers, rinse tanks for the gear and lock-up drying rooms where you can store your gear ready for the next day.


Rest of the day.

In the afternoon, enjoy lunch at the lodge and then you can choose to relax by the pool, chat to the dive guides to learn more about what you've seen on the dive, download photos & video footage or even enjoy a massage! We can also arrange an excursion to one of the local attractions.


The evening.

In the evening enjoy dinner at the lodge or a local restaurant. If you are not completely tired by your days diving and sight seeing, then you can enjoy a drink, watch TV [Satellite] before you retire to your bedroom with en-suite facilities to enjoy a relaxing nights sleep, ready for the next days shark diving.

Dive Gear

Wetsuits : Most divers seem to favour 5-mm wetsuits year-round, if you feel the cold then gloves and a hoodie are a good idea. We do have shortie wetsuits that you can add to your wetsuit if you are cold.

Cylinders : We use 12-liter steel cylinders which are available as A-clamp [international] or DIN so will suit all divers.

Gear Hire : Dive gear is available for rent so you don't need to bring your own gear. Once we have your booking, you can just let us know what dive gear you will need.

General Weather

December to February : Generally very warm with rainfall. Sea conditions are calm in the morning becoming choppy & windy later.

March to May : Generally warm with very little wind. Sea conditions are usually calm.

June to August : Generally warm and dry. Sea conditions are generally calm.

September to November : Generally warm, dry & sometimes windy. Sea conditions are calm in the morning becoming choppy & windy later.

Tempertures

Spring / Summer : October to March
Daytime Temperature : 27- 34°C
Water Temperature : 24 - 26°C


Autumn / Winter : April to September
Daytime Temperature : 18- 26°C
Water Temperature : 20- 24°C