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ALIWAL SHOAL DIVE SITES:
Cathedral (Depth: 20 to 30 metres):
Considered one of Aliwal’s finest dives, this site is home to creatures
big and small. From the sandy sea floor at 27 metres a large arch rises
to 18 metres, hence the name. Ragged-tooth sharks congregate here from
July and November, sheltered from strong currents in the giant chamber.
Pinnacles (Depth: 5 to 12 metres): Twin pinnacles rise
from about 12 metres to within 5 metres of the surface. They support
a healthy selection of soft corals.
Raggie Cave (Depth: 8 to 18 metres):
This site is actually a series of deep cuts and overhangs, rather than
a cave. Ragged-tooth sharks gather here in winter. The inner chamber leads
to a shallow sandy patch which is littered with hundreds of Raggie teeth.
If the Raggies are absent, look out for Trumpetfish, Kingfish, Moorish
idols, wrasse, turtles and massive bass.
Outside Edge (Aliwal
Express) (Depth: 8 to 18 metres): For those who love
a good drift together with dramatic topography and lots of fish!
Caves, overhangs, gullies, drop-offs; they’re all here.
Chunnel
(Depth: 9 to 20 metres): This wonderful dive
features plenty of caves, crevices and surprises. Known for rare
Pineapple fish and big rays, as well as Guitarfish and sometimes Sawfish.
The Produce
(Depth: 15 to 34 metres): One of two wrecks,
the produce is swarming with marine life from octopus to Electric rays.
Large shoals of Goldies (Anthias) and Glassfish hug the superstructure
whilst huge Brindle bass lurk within the wreck. Not to be missed!
PROTEA BANKS DIVE SITES:
Northern Pinnacles (Depth: 33 to 37 metres):
This part of the reef is usually dived in winter during
the Ragged-tooth shark season. It has two large cave systems which are used by the
Raggies as resting zones on their annual migration and mating
route. Starting the dive at the first and larger cave (actually an
open-topped cavern rather than a cave), divers can observe
the sharks from the top: this area is respected as their resting zone by
merely observing and not disturbing them. There is a swim-through (if it is
not occupied by sharks) on the way to the second cave. This is also an
open-topped cavern and features several chambers, each with it's own wide opening
on top. If there are no Raggies in the caves, divers can explore the
chambers looking for sharks' teeth which are generally plentiful. This is
the only souvenir divers may remove from the reef.
Southern Pinnacles (Depth: 27 to 40 metres): This area is home to the Zambezi Shark (Bull Shark ) which
is what Protea Banks initially became famous for. From October to May, some
very large specimens can be encountered here. Towards Easter, Zambies often
get so inquisitive and familiar with divers that they come in really close! Scalloped hammerheads are also seen shoaling at this time,
there can be
several hundred on a good dive. Hunting packs of Great hammerheads are also
seen, and Blacktips.
SEASONAL VISITORS (both
Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks): Tiger sharks (all year, peak Nov-Jun);
Hammerheads (Nov-May); Ragged-tooth sharks (Jun-Oct); Zambezi/Bull sharks
(Nov-May); Humpback whales (Jun-Dec); Sardine Run (Jun-Aug) - see
Specialist trips
WATER CONDITIONS:
Average visibility 15 metres but can be 20+ metres, water temperature ranges
from 17oC - 26oC.
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