Explore the best places to dive in South Africa. 74 dive sites with real reviews and ratings from divers.
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
A 1.8 km long reef complex in Sodwana Bay, inside the iSimangaliso World Heritage Park. Depth ranges from 9 to 30m on the outer edge (Sponge Reef), with walls, pinnacles, caves and swim-through passages; ragged-tooth sharks gather here from Decemb...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Four-reef system in Sodwana Bay (Ribbon, Pothole, Uniform, Gotham) with depths from 15 to 35m. Considered the most diverse of all Sodwana reefs; ribbon eels, devil firefish and eagle rays are common on this advanced drift dive.
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Coastal rocky reef at Oatlands Point, Simon's Town, on the False Bay coast. Granite topography with kelp forest, strawberry anemones and nudibranchs; sandy bottom at 5-10m with shallow canyons. A popular shore dive for training, best with offshore...
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Fossilised dune rocky reef about 5 km off the coast of Umkomaas, on the southern KwaZulu-Natal coast. Famous for the seasonal aggregation of ragged-tooth sharks (raggies) between July and November, plus tiger sharks, humpback whales and the wreck ...
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
The most emblematic site at Aliwal Shoal, known for the ragged-tooth shark (raggie) cave between July and November. Maximum depth around 27m, with rocky outcrops and hard and soft corals. An advanced dive due to occasional currents.
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Rocky pinnacles of Aliwal Shoal at depths from 6 to 30m, covered with hard corals, sponges and gorgonians. Frequented by raggies, emperor angelfish and schools of pickhandle barracuda. The North and South Pinnacles offer distinct dives.
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
North Pinnacles of Aliwal Shoal, in Umkomaas, KZN. The reef top sits at around 6-10m with sturdy hard corals, dropping to 30m on walls of sponges and gorgonians. Typical visibility of 10-20m outside the rainy season.
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Considered one of the most spectacular sites of the 2 Mile Reef in Sodwana Bay, Anton's features rocky pinnacles, galleries and dense swim-throughs. Giant moray eels, occasional mantas and schools of snapper are the highlights of this medium-depth...
Henley-on-Klip, Gauteng
A 10ha flooded dolomite quarry fed by a spring at Henley-on-Klip, south of Johannesburg. Depths from wade-in to 23m, with training platforms, a submerged helicopter and a workstation. Considered by PADI/NAUI/SSI as the best dive school venue in So...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Advanced reef in Sodwana Bay with ledges from 18 to 22m, famous for manta and eagle ray cleaning stations. Ghost pipefish, scorpionfish and nudibranchs inhabit the reef recesses; nitrox is recommended for longer bottom times.
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Cathedral at Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas, KZN. Maximum depth 27m on a rock formation with crevices and overhangs. Known for the seasonal aggregation of ragged-tooth sharks (raggies) during the breeding period from July to November.
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
One of the most popular sites of the 2 Mile Reef in Sodwana Bay, with rocky blocks covered in hard and soft corals, small caves and natural swim-throughs. The sandy substrate is dotted with fossil shark teeth; plate and staghorn corals dominate th...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Cliffs and overhangs of the 5 Mile Reef system in Sodwana Bay, with vertical drops and cave passages typical of the advanced reef. Moderate to strong currents feed the walls of sponges and black corals; blacktip sharks and pelagics patrol the reef...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Garden of hard and soft corals on the 2 Mile Reef in Sodwana Bay, with depths from 12 to 16m and a flat topography ideal for beginners. Nudibranchs, clownfish and schools of surgeonfish move across the coral carpet on this site, often dived as a g...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Sector of the 5 Mile Reef system in Sodwana Bay, refuge for 'elusive' species such as harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses and leopard rays. Deeper reef (16-40m) with layers of Pachyseris, snappers and fusiliers, part of the Maputalan...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Advanced site in the Bikini complex of Sodwana Bay with irregular topography of scattered ledges and turbinate coral bommies. Blue ribbon eels, camouflaged frogfish and schools of coachman are the draws; the site is deep enough to escape the swell...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Known as the 'shark tank' of Sodwana Bay, Hotspot is a ledge from 25 to 30m located north of 2 Mile. Nutrient-rich waters draw hundreds of blue and gold fusiliers and large pelagics; grey reef sharks, Zambezi (bull) and tiger sharks are sighted re...
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Rocky protrusion in the southern area of Aliwal Shoal, depths from 15 to 30m. Occasional drift-dive site, with channels between reef walls and passing pelagic fauna. Intermediate to advanced.
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Inside Edge of Aliwal Shoal, with the top at 14-16m and bottom at 22m. Open Water accessible, with a reef wall featuring hard corals, angelfish, groupers and nudibranchs. Average visibility 10-15m.
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Sandy beach behind Simon's Town railway station, the main dive school venue in Cape Town. Sandy bottom with a gentle slope to about 18m at the harbour mouth, featuring a 19-point underwater trail with yacht wreckage, a steel barge, anchors and sta...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Same Simon's Town beach area in False Bay (duplicate entry), known as the most sheltered training site on the Cape Peninsula. Shallow sand bottom with scattered wreckage, great for OWD fundamentals and compass navigation drills. Average visibility...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Southern end of the Bikini system in Sodwana Bay, Mellow Yellow is a narrow reef from 18 to 20m peppered with galleries, overhangs and ledges and large numbers of yellow schooling fish. Paperfish, cleaner shrimp and garden eels inhabit the sandy e...
Brits, North West
Former chrome mine flooded at Brits, North West, fed by a perennial spring with a 6ha surface. Thermoclines at 12, 17 and 21m and a maximum depth of 33m, with a sunken helicopter, bus and aircraft as attractions. Visibility up to 10m, water up to ...
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Sand patch at Aliwal Shoal about 7 km from the mouth of the Mkomazi River, depth up to 20m. A frequent resting spot for raggies, emperor angelfish and nudibranchs. Ideal for descent and buoyancy adjustment before moving onto the reef.
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Granite boulder reef with Seal Rock, a coastal jumping-off point in False Bay where Cape fur seals approach divers curiously. Topography of overhangs and swim-throughs to 26m on the sandy bottom to the east. Typical visibility 5-10m, best in winte...
Gordon's Bay, Western Cape
Coastal reef in Gordon's Bay on the eastern side of False Bay, with a rocky pinnacle that breaks the surface on most tides. Maximum 14m beyond the sand, walls with sea fans, false corals, sponges and urchins; varied topography for training and pho...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Rocky pinnacle formations on the 2 Mile Reef of Sodwana Bay, with the top just 5-6m from the surface. The pillars create swim-throughs inhabited by schools of zebra sea bream and occasional paperfish on the sandy fringes; the site is accessible to...
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Wreck of the 119m Norwegian cargo ship MV Produce, which ran aground on Aliwal Shoal in 1974. The collapsed structure at around 30m shelters raggies, groupers, moray eels and the endemic harlequin goldie. Advanced dive due to currents and depth.
Shelly Beach, KwaZulu-Natal
Submerged bank 7.5 km off Shelly Beach on the southern KwaZulu-Natal coast, 6 km long with an average depth of 30m. Encounters with bull, tiger, hammerhead, oceanic blacktip and ragged-tooth sharks (seasonal); up to seven shark species in a single...
Shelly Beach, KwaZulu-Natal
Northern sector of Protea Banks with the Northern Pinnacle and two large caves used by ragged-tooth sharks during their annual migration (May to November). The reef top is at 32m and the ledge at 40m, with the best topography of the region for sha...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Shallow coastal reef of Sodwana Bay, famous as a ragged-tooth shark (Carcharias taurus) nursery from December to February - the most sought-after Sodwana site in summer. Dived only in calm seas, it also shelters turtles, rays and schools of kingfish.
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Ragged-tooth shark cave in the Cathedral region of Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas. Depth around 18m. Site of the breeding aggregation of Carcharias taurus from July to November, when dozens of raggies rest inside the cave.
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Dive combining the raggies cave with the Pineapple formation at Aliwal Shoal. Depths of 15-20m, with frequent ragged-tooth shark encounters from July to November along with resident loggerhead turtles.
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Raggies cave at Aliwal Shoal, Cathedral area. Seasonal concentration of ragged-tooth sharks (Carcharias taurus) from July to November, when several individuals rest stacked in the cave. Depth around 18m.
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Elongated reef split into two sections, joined by gravel substrate, in the 5 Mile Reef system of Sodwana Bay. Depth from 18 to 21m with side drops frequented by blacktip sharks, rays and the ribbon eels that give the site its name.
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Ribbon-style reef in the 2 Mile complex of Sodwana Bay, with a linear structure and ledges in the 18 to 21m range. Ribbon eels, batfish and colourful reef fish move along the substrate edges; a gentle north-south drift is the typical way to explore.
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Lighthouse-topped rock in Simon's Bay (False Bay), an offshore reef with corestone-type pinnacles. Roman Rock North and Spider Crab Reef drop to 11-21m on sand, with schools of red roman, hottentot and occasional great whites. Visibility of 10m is...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
The deepest site of the 2 Mile complex in Sodwana Bay (27-32m), famous for hosting the largest black coral tree in the region. Red hawkfish, schools of cardinalfish and pelagics frequent the ledge; seahorses are also recorded on this advanced dive.
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Variant of the Mellow Yellow site in the northern 2 Mile system of Sodwana Bay, with a narrow reef and ledges between 15 and 20m. Paperfish, eels and small pelagics inhabit the reef galleries; this site is slightly separated from the classic Mello...
Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal
Sand patch south of the main reef at Aliwal Shoal, depth up to about 16m. Habitat for sand sharks, octopus, boxfish and pufferfish, with occasional dolphins resting on the sand. A good spot for students to practice skills.
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Small shallow reef (11-16m) in the 2 Mile complex of Sodwana Bay, formed by two sections separated by sand. Ray cleaning stations, schools of snapper, goatfish and potato bass are the highlights; an excellent site for macro and underwater photogra...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Offshore reef in the Finlay's Point area inside the Castle Rocks restricted zone (False Bay), with a pair of massive side-by-side pinnacles named the Pillars of Hercules. The top sits at 4-5m rising from outcrops at 21m, with swim-throughs and cav...
Cape Town, Western Cape
Cape Town Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront with guided dives in three tanks: I&J Predator Exhibit (2 million litres, sand tiger sharks, rays and a loggerhead turtle), Kelp Forest Exhibit (one of the few exhibits of giant kelp alive in the world) and...
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Shore dive at Vetch's Pier in Point Waterfront Durban, depths from 1 to 6m on a rubble reef that curves south towards the harbour entrance. High density of moray eels, scorpionfish, juvenile angelfish and nudibranchs. Ideal for beginners.
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Offshore reef 8.5 km from Miller's Point in False Bay, with granite pinnacles extending 1300m E-W and 950m N-S. Visibility better than inshore, often 15-20m on good days; surface currents up to 2 km/h. Sandy bottom at 40-42m calls for advanced tra...
Hout Bay, Western Cape
Offshore rocky ridge 8.5 km from Hout Bay harbour on the Cape Atlantic. Maximum 33m at the western end, ridge top at 12m. Colourful sponges, false corals, anemones, basket stars and brittle stars cover the vertical faces; kelp on top and urchins o...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
5 Mile Reef site in Sodwana Bay with abundant yellow schooling fish and tropical coral reef. Depth from 16 to 20m with passages between coral blocks; this drift dive is characterised by ribbon eels and colourful sponges along the wall.
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Flat granite rock (marked as Noah's Ark on nautical charts) in the Seaforth area of Simon's Town, False Bay. Cluster of historical wreckage to the northwest, likely from the Parana (1862), plus a barge to the south. Maximum depth around 14m, dense...
Hout Bay, Western Cape
Cape fur seal colony on Duiker Island, off the Sentinel at Hout Bay, on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula. Shallow dive (around 6m) among granite rocks and kelp with hundreds of curious seals interacting with divers. Cold water 8-15C, best i...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Southeastern sector of the Smits/Birthday/Horseshoe reef (Smitswinkel Bay), with a cluster of boulders forming a maze of swim-throughs, overhangs and caves. Boat access only inside the Castle Rocks MPA; the complex topography demands good buoyancy...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Granite reef in the Castle Rocks restricted zone on the False Bay coast, considered one of the best kelp forest dives on the Peninsula. Schools of red roman, hottentot and needlefish in a landscape of parallel pinnacles with swim-throughs. Also su...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Site in False Bay famous for sevengill cow sharks (Notorhynchus cepedianus) that gather in sandy alleys among granite outcrops. Frequent encounters with several sharks at once, although sightings have dropped due to orca predation. MPA permit requ...
Hout Bay, Western Cape
Small granite island at the mouth of Hout Bay, beneath the Sentinel peak, home to one of the largest Cape fur seal colonies in the region. Shallow dive (around 6m) among giant kelp and boulders; playful seals follow divers and snorkellers. Boat ac...
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Former Dolphinarium area at South Beach, Durban, today part of the uShaka Marine World region. An urban landmark on the seafront, with shallow dives from the seawall when conditions allow.
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
HMS Hawthorn wreck off the Durban seafront, depth around 22m. The structure is encrusted with growth and home to lionfish, angelfish and moray eels. Boat dive launched off the beach, subject to swell conditions in the Mozambique Channel.
Hout Bay, Western Cape
Offshore rocky reef in the Karbonkelberg area on the Cape Atlantic, around 6.6 km from Hout Bay harbour. Stacked granite boulders form tunnels, overhangs, caves and vertical walls more than 10m high. Maximum depth around 25m, inside the Table Moun...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Offshore rocky reef in the Roman Rock area of Simon's Bay, False Bay, with pinnacles covered in sea fans. Sandy bottom at 23m and top at 14m, vegetation typical of west False Bay. Inside the Boulders Restricted Zone of the Table Mountain MPA.
Hout Bay, Western Cape
Wreck of the SS Maori (1909), a Shaw Savill cargo liner that struck the rocks of Duiker Point northwest of Hout Bay carrying explosives, rails and china. The hull and engine are scattered in around 13m average and 21m maximum, with the engine 6m o...
Hout Bay, Western Cape
Wreckage of the Shaw Savill liner SS Maori, sunk in 1909 while sailing from London to New Zealand, in the bay between Duiker Point and Oude Schip. Machinery, propeller shafts, propeller and a cargo of china and iron keep the site embedded at 6-21m...
Knysna, Western Cape
Wreck of the German barque Paquita (1903) at the eastern entrance to the Knysna Lagoon, on the Garden Route. Disintegrated hull at 3-9m in an 18m channel, divable only in the 40-minute slack tide window. Endemic seahorses, nudibranchs, blacktail a...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Coastal rock outcrop in Simon's Bay, False Bay, with a pyramid-shaped boulder that gives the site its name. Surrounded by kelp forest with typical Cape fauna: anemones, urchins, sea cucumbers and nudibranchs. A shallow site (around 10m) used for O...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Pyramid Rock reef in the Castle Rocks restricted zone (False Bay), known for sevengill cow sharks crossing sandy alleys. Maximum about 18m on the adjacent Sansui Reef; Shark Alley averages 8m. Table Mountain MPA permit required to dive.
Gordon's Bay, Western Cape
Convex rocky coast curve north of the Steenbras River mouth in Gordon's Bay (eastern side of False Bay). Maximum about 21m at 200m offshore, dropping to 27m at 600m. Shore dive through the gully near the river (less surge) or boat dive anchored in...
Cape Town, Western Cape
Rocky island in northern False Bay, around 12 km from Kalk Bay, home to a large Cape fur seal colony and the classic stage of 'Air Jaws' - white sharks breaching in morning ambush. Cage diving only, very shallow (less than 2m), no MPA permit requi...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Sandy-bottom alley between rocky outcrops in the Fish Hoek/Glencairn sector of False Bay, occasionally crossed by sevengill cow sharks and pyjama sharks. Shallow shore dive in a protected area with sparse kelp. Different from Castle Rocks' Shark A...
Gansbaai, Western Cape
Channel between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock near Gansbaai, the world capital of cage diving with great white sharks. Known for the Cape fur seal predation from the resident colony; dense seal numbers attract great whites year round. Cage diving, n...
Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Sodwana Bay diving area inside the iSimangaliso World Heritage Park (KwaZulu-Natal), with tropical coral reefs at the southernmost points in the world. Surf launch from Jesser Point beach; over 1,200 fish and coral species recorded in the region.
Cape Town, Western Cape
Coastal reef at North Oudekraal on the Cape Atlantic, named for the strawberry anemones (Corynactis) that cover the rocks. Two granite boulder groups form swim-throughs, caves and an A-shaped chimney from 10-15m. Cape fur seals occasionally appear...
Gansbaai, Western Cape
Shallow reef in the Dyer Island/Gansbaai area, a scuba alternative to cage diving. Kelp forest, pyjama shark, shyshark, leopard catshark and the occasional Cape fur seal from the surrounding nature reserve. Accessible only with Gansbaai operators,...
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Dive tanks at uShaka Sea World in Durban, with a Lagoon Tank and Open Ocean Tank. Allows confined dives with reef sharks, rays and schooling fish in a controlled structure. Useful for refresher and courses.
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
uShaka Marine World complex at Point Waterfront, Durban. Offers diving in an ocean tank with reef sharks (sandbar, blacktip), eagle rays and schools. An alternative for days when the sea is closed.
Gordon's Bay, Western Cape
Coastal reef in Gordon's Bay on the eastern side of False Bay, with layers of black mussels where Cerianthidae (tube anemones) are abundant. Depth 6-12m, maximum on the sand further offshore. Afrikaans name 'Bird Stone' - the exposed rock is a per...
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Coastal reef adjacent to Windmill Beach in Simon's Town, False Bay. North and south coves with granite outcrops, kelp and gentle sandy bottom (around 8m). A popular freediving and OWD training site thanks to easy entry and protection from SW swell.
Simon's Town, Western Cape
Windmill Beach in Simon's Town on the False Bay coast, with two coves separated by granite outcrops. The east cove has easy entry and a sandy bottom, popular for training; the north cove has a gentler slope and is even shallower. Table Mountain MP...
