2013 Diving in South Africa.

[jenpen]

August is just unpredictable windwise in this area and often affects both Protea and Aliwal Shoal because of strong winds that can come up. Nonetheless, we have also experienced great dives in August, and there is diving off Durban itself (through Calypso Dive Centre) ....some small but good wrecks and reefs and the launch conditions less hectic than down the coast, so an alternative if the winds come up. Early morning dives are best for avoiding the wind and, providing you do not book way ahead with only one or two dive charter for the full time, you can make your choices not too far in advance, based on anticipated weather conditions (look at yr.no ? Været for Norge og verden fra NRK og Meteorologisk institutt or wind guru to see anticipated winds for the week). At Aliwal there are a number of reputable dive charters - we dive regularly with Blue Vision Dive Centre, but Seafever and the Shoal are also good. Sodwana Bay is always a good bet and less than three hours drive from Durban, so worth visiting for relaxed diving. Most operators there are pretty good - Coral Divers probably the most convenient in terms of beach accessibility, but charters like Adventure Mania are smaller and perhaps more personalised. Would recommend perhaps a week or so in the Durban area (Aliwal approx 3/4 hours drive and Protea approx 1 1/2 hours drive from there) and then perhaps a week or so up to Sodwana or, if you are looking for good shark activity and other great diving, you could always head up to Southern Mocambique (about 5 hours drive from Durban) to Ponta D'Ouro, Ponta Malongane or Ponta Mamoli. There are also a number of great game reserves (both private and other) up the north coast, so you could have a couple of days of "safari" en route, if you are keen to incorporate that into your experience of South Africa.

---------- Post added February 4th, 2013 at 12:34 PM ----------

Oh and if you are interested in the different sharks, here is a link to a wonderful digital guide that I purchased [FONT=&quot]www.sharksandrays.co.za. - created by Dennis King who is renowned for his fish identification books[/FONT].

 

[kymtris]

If your still wondering what the weather and sharks sightings are like on Protea Banks during August, you can have a look on our website, as we have a log book with diving conditions and sightings dating back +/- two years.
Also have a look on trip advisor for some more info about us. August is know as the windy month on the East Coast but July is still great diving.
Aqua Planet Dive Centre and Charter | AquaPlanet Dive Centre

 

[Ravensqarr]

Hi Stijn,

If you realy WANT to cage dive, get hold of Umkomaas Lodge Dive Centre, they do cage diving at Aliwal Shoal.
I would still rather recommend going without the cage.
Happy diving!