Destinations: Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Dates: 25th October - 1st November 2027

Duration: 8 Days/7 nights full board

Fly in/out: Durban, South Africa

The Aliwal Shoal is one of South Africa's most iconic diving destinations and one of the world's best kept shark diving secrets.

Lying 5km offshore the Aliwal Marine Protected Area is a diver's paradise, from macro and pelagics to reefscapes and wrecks, it has something for everyone. You will be in awe of the diverse range of life that is on show with every dive at Aliwal Shoal, from massive schools of Ragged Tooth Sharks to patrolling Tigers and Great Hammerheads, this spot really has it all.

During our week diving we will have the chance to encounter a huge array of life including:

• Ragged Tooth Sharks

• Bull Sharks

• Blacktip Reef Sharks

• Hammerhead Sharks (Great and Scalloped)

• Tiger Sharks

• Humpback Whales

• Potato Bass

• Marble Rays

• Nudibranchs

• And much much more!

Blue Oceans Dive Resort - Our Aliwal Expedition Partners.

A Dive Centre, Hotel, Restaurant, and Bar all in one!

Set on the edge of the Indian Ocean Blue Oceans Dive Resort is one of South Africa's premier dive centres. This iconic centre, originally built in 1934, has everything you could need for an unbelivable South African diving experience with a 5 star dive centre, newly renovated rooms, a fully licensed bar and restaurant, and some of the best people and divers you'll ever meet. And we have even mentioned the wildlife yet...

• 5-star IDC Dive Centre

• 3 boats capped at 8 divers a boat.

• Meticulously maintained dive equipment.

• 20 spacious en-suite rooms.

• Onsite sea-view restaurant and bar with the ability to cater to a wide range of diets.

• 24/7 security.

• Free WiFi.

Sitting on the edge of a Marine Protected Area, the Aliwal Shoal has something for everyone, from pelagics to macro, and from reefs to wrecks. This protected status means that there is no fishing allowed on any of the dive sites, and that touching or taking of any marine life is strictly prohibited.

Dive sites range from 10 to 32m in depth, and boast a huge array of marine life including pineapple fish, honeycomb rays, batfish, turtles, and manta rays...and that isn't even mentioning the huge diversity and abundance of sharks that call the area home.

To join this trip divers must have an Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum of 30 dives. This ensures a great in water experience with no limits on the dive sites.

Conditions at the Aliwal Shoal can be highly variable but in October and November we would expect:

• Water temperatures of 20 to 23 degrees Celsius (68 - 73 degrees Fahrenheit)

• Visibility of 15m plus (50 feet).

• Moderate to Strong currents.

  • The Aliwal is known for its strong currents, which are taken into account by the Blue Oceans team when planning our dives. Their expert team will do their best to determine the best and safest times and locations for us to dive each day.

Dive sites are accessed via Zodiac boat, with no students on the boat and a maximum of 8 divers per boat.

Arrive at King Shaka International Airport (Durban) and Transfer to Blue Ocean Dive Resort (Umkomaas)

1 x Baited Shark Dive & 1 x Reef Dive

There is also the option for additional afternoon dives should weather and launch conditions allow.

2 x Reef Dives

There is also the option for additional afternoon dives should weather and launch conditions allow.

1 x Baited Shark Dive & 1 x MV Produce Wreck Dive

There is also the option for additional afternoon dives should weather and launch conditions allow.

1 x Reef Dive & 1 x Nebo Wreck Dive

There is also the option for additional afternoon dives should weather and launch conditions allow.

2 x Reef Dives

There is also the option for additional afternoon dives should weather and launch conditions allow.

2 x Reef Dives

There is also the option for additional afternoon dives should weather and launch conditions allow.

Transfer back to King Shaka International Airport (Durban) from Blue Oceans Dive Resort