Shark Cage Diving Durban
Aliwal Shoal (45 min. from Durban City Center)
Here is your chance to swim, free dive or snorkel with sharks in Durban, South Africa.You said what? Yes, you can swim or free dive with sharks or go cage diving in Durban. Are you willing to take the plunge and see these awesome animals up close and personal?
All you need is courage and nerves of steel, not so much they are fairly harmless. This amazing shark diving experience in Durban is not the typical shark cage diving experience. Durban shark cage diving offers you the opportunity to see Black Tips, Dusky and Spinner Sharks. Tiger Sharks (during the Summer Months) and if you are extremely lucky the Bull / Zambezi Shark.
The +/- 20 min. boat ride alone could give you the opportunity to possibly encounter Dolphins, Turtles, Whales and a variety of sea birds. What a way to spend a day out!
The shark diving cage can hold up to 6 people at a time or you are free to snorkel outside of ca diving with the sharks would be around 45 min.up to an hour depending on shark activity / sea conditions.
Tour Duration 3.5 - 4 hours excluding travel time.
Shark Cage Diving Durban / Snorkeling with Sharks - Aliwal Shoal - Child Policy
- Children 10 yrs and older are considered adults and pay adult prices.
- Children 10 yrs and older are allowed on the boat and in the water provided they can swim and are comfortable in the water. They must be accompanied by at least 1 consenting adult.
- The skipper has the sole discretion on the day to deny any children from going on the boat should sea conditions be deemed not suitable.
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Find out more about the Trip
About the Trip:
The Durban Shark Cage Diving / Snorkeling with Sharks experience takes place in the Aliwal Shoal, approx. 45 min. drive from central Durban, 1 hr 10 min. from Durban International Airport (King Shaka) and 60 min from Umhlanga / Umdloti.
On arrival in Umkomaas, you will be met by the crew and be given a brief orientation on the day's activities. You will be required to complete the necessary Shark Cage Diving / Snorkeling with Sharks indemnity forms and listen to the safety briefing before embarking on this thrill seeking Shark Diving / Snorkeling with Sharks Adventure.
Choose to free dive / snorkel or swim with sharks or you can go cage diving within the safety of a cage. Either way it is an experience not to be missed. Tick it off your bucket list....you know you want to!
Where We Dive and Best time to Go:
An exhilarating 20 minute boat ride will take you out into the Aliwal Shoal (a rocky reef which is the remnants of an ancient sand dune and spans approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) off the coast of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa). It is situated inside a sanctuary zone of a Marine Protected Area and is renowned as one of "the best" Shark Diving Sites in Durban as it is teeming with aquatic life. The boat ride alone could give you the opportunity to possibly encounter Dolphins, Turtles, Whales and a variety of Seabirds.
Snorkeling with Sharks or Shark Cage Diving in Durban can be done all year round!
Shark species you could encounter are Black Tips, Dusky and Spinner Sharks. Tiger Sharks (during the Summer Months) and if you are extremely lucky the Bull / Zambezi Shark.
Time at Sea:
The Boat will be out at sea for around 2 - 2.5 hours depending on sea/weather conditions and shark activity. Once anchored, the crew will immediately begin to chum the water with fish based products, like tuna and fish oil to attract the sharks. With the chum in the water all you can do is wait for the first shark to show up and hope that this happens quickly.
Once the first shark makes its appearance you will either get into the cage for the shark cage dive or snorkel with sharks outside of the cage. This is where you can get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.
Dive Equipment:
Snorkel gear will be provided and includes wetsuits, mask, snorkel and weight belt so that you can enjoy the Shark Cage Dive or Snorkel with Sharks in comfort.
Once in the cage all you need to do is lower yourself under the water using a simple breath-hold technique where you will be able to view the sharks lurking all around you.
Shark Diving is safe and very educational. You also don't need any dive certification to go Shark Cage Diving in the Aliwal Shoal, Durban, Kwazulu-Natal.
Conditions:
The average water temperature is around 24°C/ 5°F through most of the year and never falls below 16°C/60°F. Visibility is usually around 6-8 meters but can go up to 12-15 meters on a good day or down to 2-3 meters on a bad day.
The Return to Shore:
On return to shore, enjoy a hot shower.
The Trip includes:
- 30 - 45 min. shark cage dive or you can choose to snorkel with the sharks outside of the cage
- +/- 20 min. boat ride where you may get the chance to see Dolphins, Turtles and Whales.
- Boat & Cage Dive / Snorkeling Safety Briefing
- An experienced Dive Guide & Boat Skipper
- Use of snorkel gear - Wetsuits, Mask, Snorkel & Weight Belt (There is no scuba involved) As long as you can swim and are comfortable in water you are good to go.
What To Bring with You:
- Warm clothing for after the dive. Waterproof / Windproof Jacket, it can sometimes get a bit chilly on the boat
- Hat & Sun block
- Swimming costume for underneath wetsuits
- Camera
- Towel
- Sea / Motion Sickness Tablets
Optional Extras:
- Transfers from the Airport can be arranged. Quotes available upon request.
- Accommodation can be arranged upon request.
- Any drinks or meals not specified
Safety:
The safety of our customers on every Cage Diving trip is of utmost importance to us.
The Operators we deal with have an unblemished Safety Record and carry out regular safety checks. Shark Cage Diving with sharks has become an important part of Eco-Tourism in South Africa so ensuring your safety also ensures the continued survival of our sharks.
No Current Info
Itinerary:
Note that the schedule below is a mere guideline and may be subject to change. Times are dependent on sea / weather conditions and the number of people we have booked on the day.
Your exact meeting time will be confirmed the day before.
Trip Schedule:
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 7.00 | Meet at the Crew House, sign indemnities, kit up and listen to Boat & Shark Cage Diving / Snorkeling with Sharks Safety Briefing. |
| 8.00 | Boat launch from Umkomaas (appox. 20 min boat ride to the dive site). |
| Estimated 2.5 -3 hours at sea for the shark cage dive / snorkeling with sharks | |
| 10.30/11.00 | Return to shore. Enjoy a hot shower. |
Please allow yourself enough time to make it on time and a little extra for any unforeseen road stoppages or roadworks.
approx. 45 min. drive from central Durban, 1 hr 10 min. from Durban International Airport (King Shaka) and 60 min. from Umhlanga / Umdloti.
- From Victoria Embankment in Durban city centre, take the M4 South towards the South Coast.
- Continue along the M4. Take the N2 towards Port Shepstone (South Coast).
- Continue along the N2. Take Exit 117 towards Craigiburn / Umkomaas.
- Turn left towards Umkomaas (Maclean Street), turn right into Robinson Street.
- At the stop street, turn left into Moodie Street.
