Aliwal Shoal

Aliwal Shoal Information

Qualified divers

The Aliwal Shoal is suitable to more experienced divers looking for adventure. Diving conditions can be quite dynamic, with changing visibility and currents. RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) are launched from beach into the surf, with backward roll and negative entries common. The location suits those with good fitness, at least Advanced Open Water qualification and 30 dives.

Marine life

The rich, dynamic waters of the Aliwal Shoal are bursting with marine life. Most divers visit for the shark action, but the area has a high level of diversity, with a wide range of pelagic and reef dwelling marine life regularly seen.

The species you are likely to see depend on the time of year that you visit. November to the end of March are particularly good months for sharks, with good chances to see tiger, bull and hammerhead sharks, along with grey reef sharks. The reef is also home to whitetip reef sharks and giant guitar sharks, with manta rays and eagle rays making appearances in these warmer months.

From April, it is still possible to see the above species, although numbers decline. At this time of year, dusky and ragged tooth sharks arrive to join the party. Ragged tooth sharks increase in numbers throughout June and July and stay around until October. These docile, but impressive looking sharks are particularly popular with divers, allowing close encounters and great photography opportunities.

From August, humpback whale and dolphin can be viewed from the surface.

Divers can also expect to see a vibrant mix of marine life on the reef throughout the year, including turtles, moray eels, ribbontail rays, pelagic fish, and abundant reef fish.

Wreck diving

Two wrecks, the Produce and the Nebo, add further interest to the area and attract plenty of marine life.

The MV Produce is a large Norwegian cargo ship that sank in 1974 after striking the northern end of Aliwal Shoal. It was carrying a load of molasses at the time. The wreck now rests on her starboard side in roughly 32 metres of water and stretches about 120 metres in length, making it an impressive dive.

Over the years, the wreck has become heavily encrusted with corals and sponges and now teems with marine life. Divers can expect to see schooling fish, potato bass, moray eels, scorpionfish, and often ragged tooth sharks resting inside the structure, especially during winter months. The Produce is a deeper dive and is best suited for advanced divers due to depth and occasional current, but it's widely regarded as one of the top wreck dives in South Africa.

The Nebo is an older wreck, dating back to 1884. This British cargo vessel sank on her maiden voyage, having struck the shoal while carrying railway materials to Durban. She lies upside down in around 27 metres of water, and much of her structure has collapsed and is partially buried in the sand, giving the site a slightly more mysterious feel.

Despite being more broken up than the Produce, the Nebo is rich in marine life and popular with underwater photographers. Look out for resident turtles, moray eels, butterfly rays, nudibranchs, and schools of game fish weaving through the wreckage. Its shallower depth and abundance of life make it a rewarding dive, particularly when conditions are calm.

Dive conditions

Dive conditions can vary, with visibility averaging 10–20 metres. Water temperatures range from 20°C in winter to 26°C in summer. As this region is in the Southern Hemisphere, November through to April sees warmer waters, and June to August cooler waters.