Outside Edge, Aliwal Shoal

Aliwal Shoal is a fossilized Sand Dune with interesting and unique mountain like reef structures that holds many swim throughs, gullies and crevices to explore. The reef is only accessible by boat, there is no shore entries. The surf launch is part of the adventure. Boats are 8.5m Rubber Ducks/Ribb

The Most recent of the ships to fall victom to the pinnacles of Aliwal Shoal is the MV Produce that sank on the 11th of August in 1974. The maximum depth 32m on the sand. This Norwegian bulk carrier had an original length of 168 meters and was carrying a full cargo of Molasses when it sunk.

The SS Nebo wreck was a British steamboat which sank in 1884 and one of Aliwal Shoals many victims. It had departed from England and was en route to Durban, when it sank close to the coast it had 4500 tonnes of metal cargo that was planned for building a new railway.

The inside edge of Aliwal Shoal rises from the sand forming a fantastic landscape of pinnacles, gullies, swim-throughs, and caverns. Some of the best diving in Africa is found on the Aliwal Shoal. It is home to a diverse array of marine life.

Amphitheatre’s name says it all, divers can just observe the living color. Schools of marine life deliver the most brilliant show. Maximum depth is 27m with the top of amphitheatre at 18m.

North Sands is a large sand patch surrounded by rock formations. Enjoy stunning displays from various Rays, Sand Sharks, and Sand Tigers during the winter months from April to October.

Pinnacles forms a cluster of mountain like rock formations with many crevices, gullies, and ledges to explore. This dive site is a must for the list of sites to visit when diving Aliwal Shoal. Maximum depth is 18m with the shallowest pinnacles at 5m .

Raggies Cave is a large overhang with a swim-through and is renowned for the sand tiger sharks that congregate here during winter and spring. The maximum depth is 18m, with an average depth of 11m.

This is a dive site for everyone, it has three main features – a pinnacle that spirals rapidly up towards the surface, an overhang that provides a sheltered hiding place for many of the shoal’s shier residents, and the famous Chunnel Cave.

Cathedral is one of the most popular and impressive dive sites to visit on Aliwal Shoal. Maximum depth is 27m with 18m on top of Cathedral. Both big and small aquatic beauties decorate this unique reef structure.