Ask the world about SHARK diving and they will say SOUTH AFRICA … ask South Africans about SHARK diving and they will say PROTEA BANKS!!!! Situated about 8km off Shelly Beach, on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast, Protea Banks is a unique reef system, with an amazing topography. The presence of a great diversity of game fish attracts a wide variety of top predators seen in only a few places in the world!
Protea Banks offers an exceptionally exciting SHARK dive. Divers have the opportunity to experience a SHARK dive that is completely unique. There are only a few places in the word that you can see such a wide variety of SHARK species and it is certainly not uncommon to see up to 5 different species of SHARKS on a single dive on PROTEA BANKS!!!
Aliwal Shoal is also rated as a top dive site, a fossilised sand dune lies about 4km offshore from the small coastal town of Umkomaas, on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast of South Africa. ‘The Shoal’ gives divers the unique opportunity to experience wreck, reef and seasonal shark diving at the same site.
Sodwana Bay lies hidden amongst the coastal dunes at the northern edge of the St Lucia Wetland Park World Heritage Site. The dive sites of Sodwana Bay represent the most southerly hard coral reef systems in the world. Located at the centre of a vast marine reserve, Sodwana Bay is widely regarded as the scuba diving capital of South Africa.
The region is a paradise of natural wonders with an incredible 21 different ecosystems. In fact, there are few areas in Africa with such an incredible diversity of freshwater ecosystems. Broadly translated from the Zulu language, iSimangaliso means ‘something miraculous’.
It is South Africa’s third largest park, spanning 280 kilometres of coastline and made up of around 328 000 hectares of pristine natural ecosystems including swamps, lake systems, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, second highest vegetated sand dunes in the world and coastal forests.
Hluhluwe iMfolozi, the oldest recognised protected area in Africa and second in the world to YellowStone, is a short 45 minutes drive from St Lucia and offers magnificent scenery, 4×4 safaris and walking safaris in the iMfolozi wilderness. This is a big 5 reserve with additional endangered species such as the cheetah and wild dogs which can be seen frequently in the South of the park. We used to work and live in Hluhluwe – St Lucia and Sodwana bay so all the best wildlife sightings and live updates about wildlife can be shared through our app with our guests, to bring you even closer and never miss a spectacular sighting.
Read our blog on St Lucia for more awesome info on this special place!
Arrival at King Shaka International Airport meet your guides and head off for the Indian Ocean coast, Protea Banks.
After checking into our accommodation we will meet the dive masters and have a briefing fit select our gear for the next few days of reef and shark dives
We will do dives everyday weather permitting of course and if guests wish to add additional dives this can be arranged if the availability and weather are suitable.
After 4 days of shark dives we make our way up towards the elephant coast and land in St Lucia where we will spend the evening on a boat cruise admiring the hippos and crocodiles of St Lucia estuary. Over the next two days we will explore the world heritage site of Cape Vidal iSimangaliso Eastern Shores reserve and search for some leopards. The following day go in search of the Big 5 in Hluhluwe iMfolozi park with your professional wildlife guide in a 4×4 safari game viewer. We then head back to the Indian Ocean for more diving at one of the world’s top dive sites Sodwana Bay. We will attempt to do 5 to 10 dives over the next 5 days and guests can add additional scuba dives again if availability allows. Sodwana bay offers some amazing snorkelling locations directly from the beach.
Although our packages are pre designed we customize them to each of our clients needs, contact us through this form and one of our professional guides will contact you to further discuss what you have in mind. We go above and beyond to give our clients the best experience possible.
View extra activities to add to your current itinerary when visiting KwaZulu Natal.
Some of our most commonly asked questions about this package.
Yes, all scuba gear is available and included. Wetsuit, fins, bcd, reg, weight belt, mask, snorkel and cylinder. Any additional gear needed can be rented.
We try to dive early each morning while the weather and seas are the calmest. Normally launch between 7 and 8 in the morning and if the weather conditions allow it we do a second dive in the afternoon.
Guest can book as many dives additionally to what’s included if the weather and conditions are suitable. No limits!
Your professional FGASA wildlife guides will do their best to track and locate all of the big 5 species. You will spend your day searching for wildlife in more than 250 thousand hectares of wildlife reserves and although there is an abundance of large game nothing is guaranteed. Remember folks it’s Wild Africa and not a Zoo!
Please feel free to ask us anything and we will come straight back to you
Each travel package is custom designed and quoted for, please fill out the form below and a representative with be in contact with you shortly to discuss your Safari needs.
Whale Watching St Lucia is a magical 2 hour St Lucia tour taking you as close as 50 meters from the giants of the deep. Humpback whales are the most commonly spotted, but Minky’s, Right and Sperm whales are also seen. Whale Watching St Lucia begins with a high energy surf launch which requires decent “holding on strength”. For this reason, we accept only children 12 years or older.
The fishing adventure will start at 6 am in winter and 5h30 in summer (early bird catches the worm ). The trip will end at the St Lucia ski boat club at 15h00 and your catch is cleaned for you. We do a beach launch through high energy surf conditions. We supply bait and tackle. We also teach you how to fish if you are a novice.
You bring something to eat and drink, sunscreen, a hat and fishing licence.
Explore on foot with a focus on the ‘smaller things’ in the reserve; tracks, plants, insects but there is a possibility of coming across some of the big 5 wildlife. Walks are limited to 4 guest above the age of 16 due to the dangerous game in the reserve. Takes approximately 3 to 5 hours!
Zulu tour
A visit to Khula village to interact with the locals and experience the culture through food, dance and social interaction.The tour includes a visit kindergarten, Traditional healer (isaNgoma), Zulu homestead ( iqhugwane experience) and an optional traditional lunch at Theo and Mpume’s homestead.
