A pair of Great Whites

Selected as one of the top ten dives sites of the world by Diver Magazine, the Aliwal Shoal in South Africa offers almost anything a diver can wish for. All the diving is done from semi rigid boats fitted with twin 85 Yamaha motors. The RIBS are launched from the river mouth and through the surf for a twenty-minute ride to the reef.

During the months of June through November, you are sure to see Ragged Tooth Sharks as they congregate on the Shoal to mate. It is not uncommon to find 15 to 50 of these ferocious looking yet docile animals on a single dive.

In summer you have every chance of seeing Tiger sharks and Hammerheads. Should you tire of the sharks, you can always dive on any of the wrecks or go hunting for the huge (and I mean huge) Brindle Bass. Other species (depending on the season) include Manta, Devil and other rays, schools of pelagic fish, whales, dolphins, and many, many more!

Visibility varies from five to 40 meters; the water temperature in the summer is 24+ ° C and in the winter it's not colder than 19 ° C. The depths vary between six to 18 meters with 30-meter sites for the suitably qualified. The dives are all done without cages and afford the unique opportunity to see the sharks in their natural environment!

The top sites are:

Cathedral

This is a spectacular hole in the reef and is home to many large stingrays, moray eels and ragged tooth sharks, beginning with a depth of 28m (94ft), and continuing the dive up to 10m (34ft).

The Pinnacles

Average depth is 10 - 15 m (34ft - 50ft). It is best dived when there is little or no surge or current. Many caves, gullies and overhangs can be explored on this reef, and there are large shoals of fish.

Raggie Cave and Shark Alley

Average depth is 16 m. Best known for housing groups of ragged tooth sharks in winter. Although they are not overly aggressive, they should never be approached too closely.

North Sands

With and average depth of 12m (40ft) and a maximum of 15m (50ft), this flat, sandy part of the reef provides the opportunity to see rays, skates and sand sharks of all sizes. In winter, groups of Raggies often congregate close to the large overhang on the southeast side.

South Sands

Like North Sands, this site is home to rays, skates, sand sharks and guitar sharks. Average depth is 15m (50ft) with a maximum of 18m (60ft).

The Produce (1974)

The wreck of the Produce, a Norwegian Bulk Molasses tanker, struck Aliwal Shoal on the NE Pinnacles in 1974, no lives were lost. She now rests in 30 meters (100ft) of water and makes an interesting wreck dive. Big game fish such as salmon, kingfish, and brindle bass share the wreck with lionfish and many colourful tropical species.

The Nebo (1884)

The Nebo struck Aliwal Shoal in 1884 in fair weather and went down with its cargo of railway material. No lives were lost and she lies in 30m (100ft) of water , still fairly intact. The wreck is home to an abundance of reef and pelagic fish.

For more shark diving, check out Protea Banks, also in South Africa. It is rated as one of the world's best shark diving spots. All dives are boat dives. Divers are taken to the reefs in semi rigid boats that are launched directly from the beach and through the surf. The launches have been likened to white water rafting in wet suits. All dives are drift dives and are led by local dive masters who know the reef intimately.

Visibility varies from 5 to 40 meters, and the water temperature in the summer is 24+° C and in the winter not colder than 19 ° C. The depths vary between 30 and 40 meters and one must be an experienced diver for these often 3 knot mid-water drift dives. This is adventure diving at it's best but for experienced divers only.

Species encountered on the reef include Bull sharks (Zambezi), Tiger sharks, Hammerhead, Thresher, Copper, Dusky, Ragged Tooth, Black Tip, and even the odd Mako sharks! There is also a variety of reef fish, ribbon tail skates, moray eels, spotted eagle rays, manta rays and large schools of pelagic fish. Depending on the season one can also see dolphins and whales.

Ragged Tooth Sharks (grey nurse or sand tigers) come to Protea Banks in Kwazulu-Natal in spring (August/September) as part of their breeding ritual. Placid and slow moving, the "Raggies" accept the divers without fuss. November brings the game fish and they are followed by the Zambezi (bull) Sharks, classed as a dangerous species.

Hammerheads do not follow any seasonal pattern. They are shy and keep their distance. Tiger sharks are often seen in summer, but they tend to keep their distance. In June/July, the sardine run brings the copper sharks. They scan the surface for the sardine shoals. Quick but shy, they are the smallest of the 7 species of shark commonly found in this area.

The Northern Pinnacles: Depth 28-38m

With its rare pink soft coral, this area hosts many reef fish, including potato bass and many pelagic fish like tuna and yellow tails. There are also two cave areas called "hole in the wall" and "hole in the floor". They attract Ragged Tooth sharks in large numbers during mating season in the winter. As spring turns summer, large shoals of scalloped hammerheads and occasionally a Great White is seen on inside ledge. Best time: June to November

The Southern Pinnacles: Depth 26-35m

This is definitely the place to go if you want to see Zambezi (Bull) sharks. Expect them from November, reaching their peak in March, then remaining in numbers until May. Don't forget that April and May are the best time to spot the tiger sharks! The scalloped hammerheads often occur like a "blanket" on top of the divers. Drop-offs close to sandy areas are often frequented by schools of hammerheads.

Summer is also the time for game fish when schools of Yellowtail, Kingfish, Pike and Tunny are often encountered. March and April are good months for manta rays - Huge ones too! Be prepared to visit the Kingfish Gully for a spectacular treat of a large kingfish concentration. The Sand Shark Gully is also the best "gathering" place for various species of sharks.

melt@adventuredivingsafaris.co.za

Adventure Diving Safaris - http://www.adventuredivingsafaris.co.za

Dive South Africa - http://www.divesouthafrica.co.za

KwaMnandi Dive Lodge - http://www.kwamnandi.co.za