This article is intended to provide the already qualified scuba diver with information which will help to plan dives in the waters of the south coast of South Africa, whether as a local resident or a visitor. Information is provided without prejudice, and is not guaranteed accurate or complete. Use it at your own risk.
From a diving perspective, the south coast can be considered to extend from about Danger Point at Gansbaai eastward to the far side of the Wild Coast. The region is dominated by the huge and powerful Agulhas Current, which flows south-west along the eastern part of this coast and is forced away from the coast by the widening continental shelf, allowing cooler water to push in along the shore, and breaking off enormous eddies. Rivers flow into the ocean along this coast, and, as there is no strong inshore current to carry these waters away, their nutrient load is dispersed relatively gradually compared with the east coast. Many endemic species have evolved in this region. These are animals which are found nowhere else, and some of them have very limited ranges. For example, the Knysna seahorse is only found in three estuaries on the south coast. Many south coast animals and seaweeds have ranges which also extend along the east and west coasts, depending on their temperature tolerances, and there are also cosmopolitan and migratory species.
The south coast, for the purposes of recreational diving, is considered to extend from about Danger Point close to Hermanus all the way east to Port Edward, in the south of KwaZulu-Natal. This coastline borders part of the Western Cape and the whole of the Eastern Cape. It is a coastline known for rugged beauty and geographic diversity: huge cliffs, vleis and lagoons, river mouths in impressive gorges; even a waterfall that plummets directly into the sea. About 80 km south of Struisbaai the Alphard Banks are the southernmost dive sites of the African continent. These are sea mounts on the continental shelf which rise from 80 to 14 m depth in places. They are spectacular places to dive because of their proliferation of fish, but they are a long way offshore.
This region has higher sea surface temperatures than the west coast, reaching 22ºC in summer and averaging around 15ºC in winter. When dive conditions are good, there is a unique biodiversity to be explored in water that is not particularly cold.
Under the water, the marine life is diverse and profuse. The majority of animals found in this region are endemic to the southern African coast. Conditions can be challenging, and large parts are seldom dived. Species new to science are frequently discovered. The very first living coelacanth that was brought to the attention of western scientists was caught in this region, but there have been no further sightings.
Powerful natural forces have contributed towards the south coast marine environment. The Agulhas Current follows the coast until it is pushed offshore of the south coast by the widening of the continental shelf in this area. Because of the offshore deflection of the current in this area, the larvae of species brought south by the current have little chance of settling out onto a reef, so new species seldom establish on this coast. Inshore marine life is thus relatively isolated from the rest of the world ocean, and a fertile environment has long existed for species to evolve to suit the region.
The regions of interest to recreational divers are the coastal ecoregions, which are considered to extend from the shoreline to the break of the continental shelf, so most of each ecoregion is far too deep to dive.
The equipment recommended is basic scuba equipment with good thermal insulation. A 5 mm wetsuit is good enough for some divers, but others prefer a 7 mm wet suit or a dry suit with an appropriate undersuit, particularly for longer, deeper or multiple dives, and when the temperature is lower. Hood and booties are recommended, though occasionally divers have been known to do without. Gloves are considered optional for insulation, but even a thin pair will provide some protection against stings and abrasion.
The Western Cape province is the most south western province in South Africa. It includes a large proportion of South Africa's tourist destinations and attractions, amongst which are several of the better known diving destinations.
Struisbaai is a small fishing village in the Overberg district of the Western Cape
Dive sites include:
Arniston is a small holiday town in the Overberg district of the Western Cape, named after its best known wreck.
Dive sites include:
The Alphard Banks are an extinct volcanic seamount about 40 nautical miles south of Cape Infanta. They are the southernmost recreational dive site on the continental shelf of Africa.
Mossel Bay is a harbour town on the Garden Route in the Western Cape
Dive sites include:
Knysna is a harbour town on a large lagoon on the Garden Route in the Western Cape. Diving near the mouth of the lagoon is best done at high tide, as the currents can get very strong.
Dive sites include:
Plettenberg Bay is a holiday resort town on the Garden Route in the Western Cape, known mainly for its beaches.
Dive sites include:
The Eastern Cape is a province on the south coast of South Africa on the coast of the eastern part of the Agulhas ecoregion, which is rich in endemic marine species. Diving is very dependent on weather conditions, and visibility is mot often good, but when it is good there is a lot to see. The water is generally warmer than the Western Cape, but there are occasional cold upwellings.
The Tsitsikamma National Park Marine Protected Area 📍 extends along the western part of the Eastern Cape coast and a small part of the Western Cape coast on the Garden Route.
Jeffrey's Bay is a holiday resort town on the Eastern Cape best known as a surfing destination.
Dive sites include:
St Francis Bay is a small harbour town on in the Eastern Cape, known for the annual Chokka run.
Dive sites include:
Port Elizabeth 📍 is a major port city in the Eastern Cape on the shores of Algoa Bay, The dive sites are both inside the bay and to the west of Cape Recife, in and area known as the Wildside, which is more exposed to south-westerly swells, but is deeper and has more extensive reefs
Port Alfred is a small harbour town in the Eastern Cape at the mouth of the Kowie River.
Dive sites include:
SS Cariboo wreck 📍 is the wreck of a passenger steamer about 3.4 km off the mouth of the Mgwalana river, northeast of Port Alfred.
Just to the north of the Bira river mouth, about 70 km north east of Port Alfred.
East London is a port city in the Eastern Cape. Dive sites include:
The Wild Coast is the coastal region of the Eastern Cape from north of East London to the southern border of KwaZulu-Natal.
Dive sites include:
See also: Diving in South Africa#Respect
See also: Diving in South Africa#Get help
Emergency services
See also: Diving in South Africa#Stay Safe
Branch, G. and Branch, M. 1981, The Living Shores of Southern Africa, Struik, Cape Town.
Branch, G.M. Griffiths,C.L. Branch, M.L and Beckley, L.E. Revised edition 2010, Two Oceans – A guide to the marine Life of Southern Africa, David Philip, Cape Town.
Gosliner, T. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Arica, Sea Challengers & Jeff Hamann, Monterey.
Heemstra, P. and Heemstra E. 2004, Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa, NISC/SAIAB, Grahamstown.
Ed. Smith, M.M. and Heemstra, P. 2003 Smith’s Sea Fishes. Struik, Cape Town. (Authoritative, large and expensive)