Reef and wreck scuba diving excursions on the Umkomaas coast, near Durban

Activity Snapshot

Fitness level: Occasionally sporty
Duration: 1 hr
Spoken languages: English, French
Minimum age: From 10 years-old and up
Cancellation policy: moderate More info
Opening seasons:

Activity description

Explore an underwater oasis famed for its rich bio-diversity and vibrant population of tropical fish with reef and wreck scuba diving excursions on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast.

There's a reason adventurer Jacques Cousteau put Aliwal reef on his bucket list, a hotspot for feared apex predators and a colourful community of coral inhabitants - this 3km marine reserve offers a stunning natural landscape punctuated by vibrant reefs and sunken ships lurking in the deep...

Location
A 30-minute drive from central Durban, Blue Ocean dive centre is situated in the small village of Umkomaas. Using rubber dinghies to access the dive Sites, the ride out to sea is around 7km from the Mkomazi River mouth which takes about 10-15mins.

Activity options 
While there are many dive sites with the 18m Open Water Diver limit, a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver) certification is recommended.

Reef: 
Choose from 5 different sites along the Aliwal reef with depths ranging from 14 - 27m. Swim with placid nurse sharks and discover coral critters or go on the hunt for ragged-tooth shark teeth on the sandbanks, swimming with dolphins and rays.

Wreck: 
Visit MV Produce and Nebo Wreck for sightings of hammerhead and bull sharks, home to the mighty brindle bass, harlequin goldies, lionfish, salmon and kingfish as well as an abundance of other colourful tropical fish that now live in the wooden and rusting metal wrecks.

Conditions
Ocean temperatures fluctuate between 17°C (June/July) and 27°C (Feb). Avg throughout the year: 23°C.
Seasonal sightings include:

-December to May – Tiger sharks
-December to February – Whale sharks
-Late May to November – Ragged tooth sharks
-May to November – Humpback whales

Offer Description

Aliwal reef and wreck scuba diving excursions on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast in Umkomaas.

Activity requirements

Proof of min. 1 logged dive within the last year

Parental consent required for unaccompanied minors

Special terms

Date, duration and dive site subject to change, depending on tides and weather conditions.

8 divers per dingy + 3 dinghies per dive.

Please note you are not allowed to fly for up to 24 hours after your last dive.

Included
  • PADI dive instructor
  • Weights + cylinders
Excluded
  • Gear Hire per day (R 350.00 for all items or R 75.00 per item per day)
  • Pick up (R 850.00 for 3 people within 1 hr radius of dive centre)
Do not forget to bring
  • PADI logbook
  • Swimsuit
  • Sun cream
  • Towel
  • Soft gear (mask, wetsuit, flippers etc.)
100% secure payments
by credit card or Paypal
Meeting point
1 Reynold Street, Umkomaas, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, Get directions

Cancellation policy

Cancellation 10 days or more prior to the agreed activity date
You will be automatically refunded for the full amount for the activity
10 days
Cancellation between 4 and 10 days prior to the agreed activity date
You are entitled to a 50% refund
4 days
Cancellation 4 days or later prior to the agreed activity date
No refund will be possible
Weather Guarantee
Regardless of the date, if the activity is cancelled due to bad weather conditions, you will be offered a refund or the chance to reschedule