South Africa’s coastline is a 2,735-kilometer stretch of pristine sand and lush wildlife landscapes that border two oceans. Diving has been a popular sport in the country for decades and the often turbulent waters hide some of the most beautiful sea creatures and reefs on Earth.
The Marine Protected Area just five kilometers off the shore of Umkomass Beach is a renowned diving destination due to the variety available here. Aliwal Shoal holds open water, advanced, wreck and shark diving. The Produce and Nebo wreck sites are some of the world’s largest and in the winter up to 150 ragged-tooth sharks can be seen on a single dive.
Protea Banks is ranked among the top shark and game fish dives in the world. The fossilized sand dune reef off the shore of Shelley Beach houses hundreds of sharks and pelagics throughout the year. In the summer Zambezi sharks, humpback whales, hammerheads, kingfish, barracuda, snappers and manta rays all flock to the area.
Sodwana Bay houses 7 Mile Reef, easily one of the most popular dive sites on Earth. Here you’ll find 95 species of soft and hard coral wherein live more than 1,200 species of fish, turtles, rays, sharks and more. The Northern Wall and Amphitheatre are where you’ll find the largest collections, while the Golden Coral Tree lays claim to an enormous amount of sea goldies.
Plettenberg Bay on the Western Cape is where you’ll find the Grootbank, an incredible, maze-like reef full of striking topography. The caves and drop-offs here are difficult to navigate but inside you’ll discover an array of starfish, soft corals, sponges, red roman, pyjama shysharks and sea fans.
Evans Peak is cited as one of the 10 coldest dive sites on Earth. It’s also startlingly beautiful. The two soaring reefs here rise up 15 meters above the water and descend another 40 below. The area around Evans Peak is also home to the Sardine Run, where thousands of the fish race through the region between April and May.
Read This Next
Marriage Retreats in Belize, Costa Rica & More
Trends
Sep 20, 2022#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Mar 27, 2024Earn a Free Night with BWH Hotels This Spring
Earn a free night with BWH Hotels this spring by being a member of its Best Western Rewards loyalty program. Through May 5, BWR members who stay two nights (do not need to be consecutive) at BWH Hotels properties in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean will earn one free night to be used for stays through Aug. 25. Register for the promotion prior to the completion of your first stay online or with the hotel directly. The awarded free night is eligible at any Best Western-branded hotel in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, and members can only earn one free night via the promotion.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Products / Technology
Mar 27, 2024Getting to the Airport Just Became Easier with FlyPool
A new service launched last month that may make your trip to and from the airport just a little easier and less costly. FlyPool is an online platform and app that facilitates carpooling, specifically to airports around the world.
Destinations / North America
Mar 26, 2024Car Enthusiasts Head to California for La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
Head to La Jolla, California, this April for the 18th Annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. The automotive and lifestyle festival offers car fanatics a variety of free and paid events. This year’s theme showcases the roaring 20s and glamorous 1930s. The event takes place April 19–21.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Surveys
Mar 26, 2024Study Discovers Destinations Where Hotels are Cheaper Than Home Rentals
For the longest time, travelers touted home rentals as an affordable alternative to hotels. However, is that really the case? Do you really get more for your money when you book an Airbnb versus a hotel room?
ShareThis