Diving in Durban

Durban, South Africa’s third largest city (behind Cape Town and Johannesburg) is home to almost 3.5 million people in its metro area and takes up 1,500 square kilometers (3,900 square miles) of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The beautiful climate and even more beautiful beaches have mad Durban one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of South Africa. Just north of Durban is the town of Umhlanga, a great place to launch a diving boat trip from.

The diving here is packed with variety, meaning it suits both beginner and more advanced divers. You can expect good conditions year-round, with water temperatures ranging from a balmy 20-25C (68-77F) in summer and 15-20C (59-68F) in winter. But aim to go between the months of November to February for the best diving and best conditions. The diving here is all about exploring colorful reefs and truly amazing wrecks, populated by pelagic fish that range from tuna to barracuda.

Keep a look out for the yearly sardine run, which takes place between May and July and is an awe-inspiring spectacle not to be missed. Not only are the quantities of coordinated sardine unfathomable, they also attract predators in the form of sharks and larger fish looking for a good feed.