Scuba Diving

19 Fathom Reef
Umkomaas Adda Reef Approximately 1.5m offshore from Shelly Beach.
Average depth is 18m. The reef runs for about 500m in a north-south direction. There are some deep caves with soft corals, anemones and many tropical reef fish.

Aliwal Shoal
Umkomaas. 5km from the beach This dive site is one of the most well known dive sites on the Kwazulu-Natal coastline. It is easily accessible from Umkomaas, the ragged tooth sharks being the main attraction. The best area to spot them is at, the Cathedral, which is a 4m arch of rock. A diverse range of marine life and similar topography to Protea Banks can be found at this site

Cathedral
Umkomaas. On the eastern edge of Aliwal Shoal. Average depth is 27m. Boats are launched from Umkomaas river mouth. It should be dived very cautiously when there is a surge. This is a spectacular hole in the reef and is home to many large stingrays, moray eels and ragged-tooth sharks. great care should be taken not to create undue disturbance.

Raggie Cave And Shark Alley
Umkomaas. On the eastern edge of Aliwal Shoal.
Average depth is 14m. Best known for housing groups of ragged tooth sharks in winter. Although they are not overtly aggressive, they should never be approached too closely. This site must be dived very carefully when surgy.

South Sands
Umkomaas. On the south-eastern side of Aliwal Shoal. average depth is 15m. Boats are launched from Umkomaas river mouth. This site is home to a great number of rays, skates, sand-sharks and guitar fish.

Lionfish Hole
Umkomaas. On the northern side of Aliwal Shoal.
Average depth is 12m. Boats are launched from Umkomaas river mouth. This is a crater in the pinnacle which almost always has a resident lionfish. The invertebrate life and small tropical fish are particularly beautiful.

Manta Point
Umkomaas. North-east of Aliwal Shoal.
Average depth is 18m. Boats are launched from Umkomaas river mouth. This site should be avoided or dived very carefully in a strong surge, as there is a blowhole on the northern edge of the reef. There is a good chance of spotting a round ribbontail ray.

North Sands – Umkomaas. North-west of Aliwal Shoal.
Average depth is 12m. Boats are launched from Umkomaas river mouth. There is a large overhang on the south east side of this sandy patch where groups of raggies often congregate in winter.

Landers Reef – Scottburgh
This is the perfect reef for nitrox diving, advanced deep diving and deep diving specialties. It starts at a depth of +- 20 m and goes down to 36 m on the sand. There is both an abundance of plant life and reef fish. Large shoals of game fish can be seen, rays, potato bass and sharks. There are many caves and gullies on the reef. Visibility almost always +- 15 m and a 6km ride from the launch site.

Cowrie Reef – Park Rynie
Probably ‘the’ best spot to dive in this area. Some of the most spectacular plant life on the coast and there are numerous caves, gullies and swim throughs. Small marine life, reef fish, zambezi sharks, dolphins and game fish can be seen. Depth starts at +- 16 m and goes down to 26 m on the sand. Visibility is generally very good although it is only 2km from the beach, it can also be very poor. The boat ride is +- 4.5 km from the launch site.

Protea Banks
5km offshore between Margate and Shelly Beach, this is one huge dive site full of caves, pinnacles, ridges and amphitheatres. The chief attraction of this site is the certainty of encountering sharks. A number of ragged tooth sharks can be found here, there is also a wide variety of marine life and reef fishes. Divers must be qualified to dive to 30 m.

Arena Reef
Located on Protea Banks, about 8 km off Shelly Beach. Average depth is 28m. Access is controlled by the Margate Tlc or the shelly beach ski boat club. Ragged-tooth sharks, hammerhead sharks, Zambezi sharks, copper sharks or bronze whalers, threshers and even the great white shark have been identified in this area.

The Caves
Shelly Beach. On Protea Banks, about 8km offshore. Average depth is 28m. A big cave filled with hard and soft corals. Your chances of seeing a variety of sharks is excellent.

Bo Boyi Reef
Some 5 minute boat ride off Shelly Beach. Average depth is 15m. This reef can be murky in surgy conditions or if the rivers are in flood. Many caves and overhangs and large colonies of soft coral. Prolific fish life.

Deep Salmon
Approximately 1.5 km offshore from Shelly Beach. Average depth is 24m