How many days do I need?

For one region, a week gives you enough diving with spare days for weather. To dive both coasts, or to add a safari, allow two weeks or more. For the Sardine Run, book at least a week on its own.

Can I rent dive gear?

Yes. Most dive centres rent full equipment, including thick wetsuits in Cape Town. Bring your own mask and computer if you can, and book rentals in advance in busy seasons.

Can I learn to dive in South Africa?

Yes. Sodwana Bay is one of the most popular places in the country to learn, with warm water and shallow reefs. Cape Town also has many dive schools, though training there is in cold water.

South Africa Dive Trip Planning: Seasons, Regions, Gear and Permits

Step 1: choose your season

South Africa has diving all year, but the big highlights are seasonal, so decide what you most want to see and plan around it.

Winter, roughly June to November: raggedtooth sharks at Aliwal Shoal, humpback whales along the east coast, and the Sardine Run from about May to July. False Bay near Cape Town is usually at its best in winter.
Summer, roughly November to April: tiger sharks, Zambezi sharks and hammerheads in KwaZulu-Natal, warm water at Sodwana Bay, turtle nesting on the Maputaland beaches, and the best conditions on Cape Town's Atlantic side.

South African school holidays, especially in December and January and around Easter, make the coast busy. Book dives and accommodation early if you travel then.

Step 2: choose your regions

South Africa is a big country. Driving from Cape Town to Durban takes days, so most divers either focus on one coast or fly between them.

KwaZulu-Natal only

Warm water · Reefs and sharks

Fly into Durban and combine the shark diving of Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks to the south with the coral reefs of Sodwana Bay to the north. Add a safari in one of northern KwaZulu-Natal's game reserves.
Cape Town only

Cold water · Kelp, seals and wrecks

Base yourself in or near Cape Town and dive both sides of the peninsula, letting the wind decide each day. Add the winelands, Table Mountain or a cage-diving day from Gansbaai. See our Cape Town scuba diving guide.
Both oceans

Fly between coasts

Domestic flights connect Cape Town and Durban, so you can dive warm and cold water on one trip. Pack for both.

Getting there and around

Most international flights arrive at O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg or Cape Town International, with connections to King Shaka International near Durban. Dive areas are spread out and public transport to them is limited, so most visitors rent a car. South Africa drives on the left. Some dive centres can arrange transfers, which is worth asking about if you would rather not drive.

What to pack

Warm water kit

KwaZulu-Natal and the Wild Coast

A 5 mm wetsuit for most of the year, with a hood or vest in winter; reef-safe sun protection; seasickness tablets for the boat rides.

Cold water kit

Cape Town

A 7 mm wetsuit with hood, gloves and boots as the minimum, or a semi-dry or drysuit. Many centres rent suits; check sizes in advance.

Safety gear

For open water and drift dives

A surface marker buoy, a whistle or other signalling device, and a dive computer. On many South African dives these are expected, not optional.

Paperwork

Bring the originals

Certification cards, logbook (operators may ask to see your experience for deep or shark dives), and proof of dive insurance.

Surf launches

Much of the east coast has no harbour, so dive boats launch straight from the beach through the surf. The crew push the boat out, divers climb in and hold on to foot straps, and the skipper times the waves. Listen carefully to the briefing, keep your gear secured, sit where you are told and hold on tight. Landing back on the beach can be fast and bumpy. It is safe when you follow instructions, and most divers end up loving it.

Permits and rules

South Africa requires a permit to scuba dive in its marine protected areas, which include Sodwana Bay, Aliwal Shoal and much of the coast around Cape Town. The way permits are issued changes from time to time, so ask your dive centre when you book how to get the current one. Protected areas also have rules on fishing, collecting and anchoring, and wrecks older than 60 years are protected as heritage sites.

Health, safety and insurance

Dive insurance: take out insurance that covers diving, including evacuation and hyperbaric treatment. Organisations such as DAN offer diving cover.
Flying after diving: follow DAN's general guideline of waiting at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive and at least 18 hours after repetitive dives or multiple days of diving before you fly. Remember that the drive inland to Johannesburg also climbs to high altitude.
Malaria: parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal, including the Sodwana Bay area, are malaria areas. Ask a travel clinic for current advice.
Sun and weather: the sun is strong, and the weather changes quickly. Dives are often moved or cancelled for wind and swell, so leave spare days.

Choosing a dive operator

Look for a well-established operator with qualified, accredited instructors and skippers, well-maintained boats and clear safety briefings. For shark dives, ask how they run the dive and how they protect the animals. For deep or current-swept sites, expect them to check your experience, and see that as a good sign.

Ready to choose a destination? Start with our guides to shark diving in South Africa and wreck diving in South Africa, or go back to the Scuba Diving South Africa home page for the seasons table. To find out who writes this site and how, read about this guide.

South Africa dive trip planning