Diving SA

[Welsh_Dive_Pro]

There is a chance that I will be paying a visit to South Africa in mid 2005 and I want to do some diving out there. I'm not sure whereabouts we are staying exactly but I dont think it's too far from Umkomaas (Hope that is spelt correctly).
First off I want to know of any good dive companies out there (so that i can do some diving).
I'm hoping to head out June/July time hitting the Protea Banks and Sodwana. Can anyone tell me what the diving is like that time of year? and possible sights (fish wise).

Cheers

 

[SADivemaster]

I dive in Umkomaas on a fairly regular basis and swear by African Watersports. You can contact them via their website - www.africanwatersports.co.za

 

[Andre]

Hi,

If your'e looking for the best advice on diving spots & great deals, visit www.scubadiving.co.za/reefcomb.htm or contact them at diveshop@mweb.co.za

 

[dennisg]

There's no question, African Watersports are the operator of choice on the Aliwal Shoal. Any other recommendation is driven purely by commercialism and self interest. They have the most experienced, qualified, and capable Divemasters on the KwaZulu Natal coastline. They have the safest and most competent skippers operating their dive boats. Check out their website at www.africanwatersports.co.za or email their director directly at watersports@icon.co.za

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

African Dive Adventures

There is a chance that I will be paying a visit to South Africa in mid 2005 and I want to do some diving out there. I'm not sure whereabouts we are staying exactly but I dont think it's too far from Umkomaas (Hope that is spelt correctly).
First off I want to know of any good dive companies out there (so that i can do some diving).

Hi,

I would recommend The Whaler Dive Centre in Umkomaas (and no, I am not answering for commercial interest ). I dive with them practically every week and have had great experiences with them. They are one of the original operators (+/- 11 years) on the Aliwal Shoal. Their Skippers and Divemasters are very experienced. They have a lot of return business from overseas tourists - IMO (the same faces each December). They have just taken over the restaurant next door to them - excellent pizzas during the SIT...

Having said that, there are a lot of good operators on the Shoal. Another operator that has a good reputation is Sea Fever.

I'm hoping to head out June/July time hitting the Protea Banks and Sodwana.

In Sodwana, I have had great service from Da Blu Juice - they are a small operator that give you personal attention. If you are looking for experienced DM's and Skippers, they are a good choice. Other than that, try Coral Divers.

Protea Banks - African Dive Adventures. Never dived with them - good reputation "on the street".

Can anyone tell me what the diving is like that time of year? and possible sights (fish wise).

June/July we have a lot of Whale, Dolphin and Manta Ray activity. This is due to the South/North current that seems to be more predominant at that time. It is also the time of year we expect the Sardine Run (Eastern Cape to Kwazulu Natal migration of sardines (and the predators that enjoy them!)). The Raggedtooth Sharks will be on the Shoal in full force by then. All in all, the water temperature is a little lower (21degC), the visibility is lower (15m), but the diving is great because of all that can be seen. You can check out my Web Album with photos taken on the Shoal.

Any details you need, PM me. Dive S.A. - it's great!

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[SA-Diver]

Have to agree with Andrew - Aliwal Shoal is great.

We dive there once a month - would have done more but
it is a 6 hour drive from JHB - and use Sea Fever most of the
time.

Have heard only good things about The Whaler.

On 2 Jan 2004 I saw, and photographed a Tiger Reef Eel (Scuticaria tigrina).

Apparently this was the first recorded sighting of this eel on the Shoal.
The only other recorded sigthing in SA was at Sodwana.

Kobus

 

[scubashooter]

Well, depending on what sort of diving you want to do, I've use a few ops and have been going to ZA annually at least 2 times a year. Aliwal Shoal is known for the ragged tooth/sand tiger/Grey Nurse Shark. But there's also tigers to be had.
I use Blue Wilderness for all of my shark dives( great skippers and crew, been using them for the sardine run annual for the last 5 years too) in Umkomaas.
Whalers are a nice ops too, I've used African Watersports as well but not at Umkomaas and like dennisg says, they are a good ops too. I do disagree with his statement about the other operators, but he is entitled to his opinion.
Further south is Protea Banks, fantastic for sharks. I've used African Odyssea and African Dive adventures. Both have EAN which is essential for diving Protea (do twins if you can for maximum btm time. The southern pinnacle in Protea is great to catch guitarsharks and zambezis(bull).
You will like the shark action in Protea.

 

[wanita]

There is a chance that I will be paying a visit to South Africa in mid 2005 and I want to do some diving out there. I'm not sure whereabouts we are staying exactly but I dont think it's too far from Umkomaas (Hope that is spelt correctly).
First off I want to know of any good dive companies out there (so that i can do some diving).
I'm hoping to head out June/July time hitting the Protea Banks and Sodwana. Can anyone tell me what the diving is like that time of year? and possible sights (fish wise).

Cheers

I am definately going to have to agree with everyones replies aboutthe different operators. They are all good, because having their training and working done launching to and from and diving the Aliwal Shoal, its rated one of the toughests spots in the world.I actually live in Umkomaas, have my whole life, and dive every weekend.
One of the best people to contact, in my opinion, however, is Aliwal Shoal Adventures. Not only is it owned by an Instructor, but hes rated one of the best dive masters on the reef. His business is run from his premises, which is a laid back guest house, absolutely affordable accommodation (Suiting different needs), and he arranges the wickedest packages for people who want to holiday and dive a bit. They not only do diving, but offer other adventure sports as well, so if the weather is no good for diving, you wont be left hanging. He arranges private dives / boats etc, and can get into contact with anyone, and can help you with a tour of diving down south african coast as he is affiliated with all the guest houses/backpackers, dive companies, shark diving etc. His contact:
Sean: (+27) 72 3064574
aliwalsa@telkomsa.net

Ask him for any info and he'll be so glad to help.

 

[wandernsoul]

Okay, I've got a few questions for all of you veteran Africa divers.
Can any of you compare diving Pemba and Sodwana?

Water temps around New Year's? Are we talking dry suit?

Where would i fly into to get to either of these places? I haven't even scratched the surface in details for this kind of trip, as you can tell......

Thanks much.

 

[wanita]

Okay, I've got a few questions for all of you veteran Africa divers.
Can any of you compare diving Pemba and Sodwana?

Water temps around New Year's? Are we talking dry suit?

Where would i fly into to get to either of these places? I haven't even scratched the surface in details for this kind of trip, as you can tell......

Thanks much.

Are you kidding me? a dry suit in Africa summer? Man you need some help! Haha..And Ill be glad to help you out!
New Years is our peak summer time, so you can just have a 5mm wetsuit, you'll be hot at first (When kitting up) but after a length of time underwater, you'll be glad you got 5mm on. But you wont be able to wait to rip it off again when you're done, its very warm that time of year! Air temp about 30 degrees and water temp about 24 degrees celcius.

I havent dived Pemba, but I have dived Sodwana, its very warm there, particularly coz its so calm there. Loads of pretty colourful things to see.
Im more veteran of Aliwal Shoal... its got loads of game fish etc (over 1200 species of fish have been recorded), sharks, manta's, rays, eels, 2 ship wrecks,its just down right awesome.
To fly to go to Sodwana or Aliwal, you'll have to land at Durban International airport. Sodwana is about a 4hour drive from there, and Aliwal is 30 minutes away. So you might have to book a room for the night in durban if your flight arrives late and you want to go straight tot sodwana, else, people offering accommodation and diving at Aliwal organise airport pick ups. (Aliwal SHoal Adventures does that at least) and they can organise you a trip up the coast to sodwana and other places from there when you're done. they are really helpful in that regard. And they have the cheapest rates around, so thats also great for someone on holiday... more money for presents and beer!!!

Any more info? Ill be glad to help,
from wanita