Jan
26 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
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DIVE-SEEK field image · destination photo unavailableKwaZulu-Natal · Umkomaas · South Africa
ai researched· confidence 78%
Aliwal Shoal
Aliwal Shoal is a world-renowned offshore reef system on the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa, accessed primarily from Umkomaas.
21–26°C12–27 mYear-roundBoat
DIVE-SEEK field image · destination photo unavailable · awaiting a licensed image
Beneath the surface
Why dive here?
Aliwal Shoal is a world-renowned offshore reef system on the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa, accessed primarily from Umkomaas. The destination is especially known for ragged-tooth sharks, strong currents, drift diving, reef dives, wrecks and seasonal pelagic encounters.
9Published dive sites
17Documented marine-life links
4Local operators & liveaboards
Quick facts
Aliwal Shoal (South Africa) is a dive destination known for Ragged-tooth shark, Tiger shark and Scalloped hammerhead. Water temperature: 21–26 °C across the year. Typical dive depth: 12–27 m. DIVE-SEEK lists 9 dive sites and 4 dive operators here.
Summarised from DIVE-SEEK's recorded catalogue data; omitted values are not yet recorded.
Ask about Aliwal Shoal
Answers are built only from our cited catalogue records — where data is missing, the assistant says so instead of guessing.
Diving characteristics
Conditions at a glance
Water temperature
21–26 °C
Typical depth
12–27 m
Maximum depth
40 m
Visibility
Research in progress
Current
Research in progress
Accessibility
82 /100
Infrastructure
75 /100
Photography
Research in progress
Certification range
Research in progress
Destination research
Research in progress
Not enough verified data yet.
ai researched· confidence 78%
Trust
Checking trust information…
boat divingdrift divingwreck divingtechnical divingnitrox available
Dive sites
Find your next descent
Explore the dive sites of Aliwal Shoal.
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableCathedral
24–27 mLevel 4/5
One of Aliwal Shoal's signature reef sites, Cathedral is a large amphitheatre-like rock formation with arches and swim-through features. It is especially famous for ragged-tooth sharks during their seasonal aggregation.
Cooler season, especially during ragged-tooth shark aggregation.ReefWallSwim-through
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableInside Edge
14–24 mLevel 3/5
A reef and drift site along the inside edge of Aliwal Shoal, offering opportunities for both smaller reef subjects and pelagic encounters.
Reef
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableManta Point
10–24 mLevel 3/5
A reef site associated with ray and pelagic encounters. Manta encounters are possible but should not be presented as guaranteed.
Reef
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableMV Produce Wreck
27–32 mLevel 5/5
An offshore wreck dive on the deeper side of Aliwal's wreck diving, with penetration opportunities for appropriately trained divers only.
Wreck
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableNorth Sands
12–16 mLevel 3/5
A shallower Aliwal Shoal reef site where rays and sharks may be encountered.
Reef
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableOutside Edge
20–27 mLevel 4/5
A deeper reef and drift area on the outer edge of Aliwal Shoal, suited to experienced divers and known for larger pelagic possibilities.
Reef
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableRaggies Cave
14–18 mLevel 3/5
Shallower reef site known for swim-through features and seasonal ragged-tooth shark encounters.
ReefSwim-through
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableShark Alley
18–24 mLevel 4/5
A reef and drift-dive area associated with Aliwal Shoal's shark encounters and seasonal pelagic activity.
Reef
DIVE-SEEK field image · site photo unavailableSS Nebo
27 mLevel 4/5
A deeper wreck dive on Aliwal Shoal, around 27 metres.
Wreck
Marine life
What you can encounter
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableseasonal
Ragged-tooth shark
Carcharias taurus
Jun–Nov
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableseasonal
Tiger shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Nov–Apr
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableoccasional
Scalloped hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableoccasional
Green turtle
Chelonia mydas
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableseasonal
Humpback whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
Jun–Jul
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailablerare
Reef manta ray
Mobula alfredi
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Whale shark
Rhincodon typus
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Southern African pilchard
Sardinops sagax
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Bluestripe snapper
Lutjanus kasmira
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Hawksbill turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Yellowfin goatfish
Mulloidichthys vanicolensis
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Oceanic manta ray
Mobula birostris
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Giant trevally
Caranx ignobilis
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Bull shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Potato cod
Epinephelus tukula
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Spotted eagle ray
Aetobatus narinari
Seasonality research in progress
DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableEncounter research in progress
Whitetip reef shark
Triaenodon obesus
Seasonality research in progress
Seasonality
Month by month
Water temperature, visibility, current and rainfall recorded per month rather than reduced to a single 'best time'.
Feb
26 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Mar
26 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Apr
25 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
May
24 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Jun
23 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Jul
22 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Aug
21 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Sep
22 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Oct
22 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Nov
23 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
Dec
25 °C
- Visibility
- —
- Current
- —
- Rainfall
- —
- Diving score
- —
| Month | Water °C | Visibility m | Current | Rainfall | Diving score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | — | — | — | — |
| Feb | 26 | — | — | — | — |
| Mar | 26 | — | — | — | — |
| Apr | 25 | — | — | — | — |
| May | 24 | — | — | — | — |
| Jun | 23 | — | — | — | — |
| Jul | 22 | — | — | — | — |
| Aug | 21 | — | — | — | — |
| Sep | 22 | — | — | — | — |
| Oct | 22 | — | — | — | — |
| Nov | 23 | — | — | — | — |
| Dec | 25 | — | — | — | — |
— Not enough verified data yet. Water temperatures are recorded ranges, not a forecast.
Beyond the dive
The journey there
- Nearest airport
- King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
- Transfer time
- 55 min
- Remoteness
- 25/100
- Infrastructure
- 75/100
- Price level
- 2
Dive centers
Dive with local knowledge
dive_center
Agulhas House Dive Centre
NitroxTechnical
dive_center
Aliwal Dive Centre
Established Umkomaas dive centre and PADI 5 Star Dive Resort offering Aliwal Shoal reef and wreck diving, shark diving and technical/freediving-related activities.
NitroxTechnicalEquipment rentalFreediving
dive_center
Aliwal Shoal Adventures (Ocean Warriors)
NitroxFreediving
dive_center
Blue Ocean Dive Resort
NitroxTechnical
Seasonality
Verified seasons
Peak and shoulder periods recorded per aspect, only where a verified season record exists.
PeakRecorded seasonNo recorded window
diving
Aliwal Shoal is diveable year-round, with seasonal variation in water temperature, currents, visibility and marine life.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
encounter
Tiger shark encounters are seasonal and variable; exact encounter probability is not guaranteed.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
marine life
Aliwal Shoal is particularly well known for ragged-tooth sharks aggregating during the cooler season. Sources vary slightly on the exact start/end of the season, so DIVE-SEEK intentionally uses a broad June-November window rather than false precision.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
overall
The KwaZulu-Natal coast is associated with the annual Sardine Run period, with pelagic activity and seasonal whale encounters possible. This should not be interpreted as a guaranteed Aliwal Shoal encounter.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Provenance
Data & sources
DIVE-SEEK combines destination research, operator information and verified sources.
Sources
5
Supported claims
6
Average confidence
81%
conservationAmendments to the regulations for the management of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area
Aliwal Shoal is a Marine Protected Area. Commercial scuba-diving operations within the MPA are subject to permitting requirements under South African regulations.
ai researched· confidence 90%View sourceconservationNotice declaring the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area under s.43 of the Marine Living Resources Act
Original declaration of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area under the Marine Living Resources Act.
ai researched· confidence 90%View sourcedepthAliwal Shoal dive site
Typical recreational reef depth range and destination maximum depth reference.
ai researched· confidence 70%View sourcegeneralAliwal Shoal Reef dive site
Core destination characteristics: offshore reef system off Umkomaas, reef/wreck/drift diving and shark encounters.
ai researched· confidence 80%View sourcelocationAliwal Shoal dive site
seasonSpatial and seasonal distribution patterns of raggedtooth sharks (Carcharias taurus) tagged off the east coast of South Africa
Seasonal distribution of ragged-tooth sharks off the KwaZulu-Natal coast supports the broad cooler-season aggregation window.
ai researched· confidence 80%View sourceAlpha — the DIVE-SEEK catalogue is being researched and verified destination by destination.