Why South Africa is a shark country
South Africa's coast is where tropical and temperate oceans meet. The warm Agulhas Current brings tropical sharks down the east coast, the cold Benguela Current supports a rich food chain in the west, and between them the coast is busy with migrating fish, seals, dolphins and whales. Sharks follow all of that food, so the country has an unusual range of species within reach of recreational divers.
Different sharks are found in different places and seasons, so the best shark trip depends on what you want to see. This guide lists the main species divers come for, where to find them and when.
The sharks, and where to see them
Raggedtooth shark
Sand tiger, grey nurse · "raggie"
Gathers on KwaZulu-Natal reefs in winter, roughly June to November. The best-known site is Aliwal Shoal, where raggies hover in caves and gullies. Calm and slow-moving.
Tiger shark
Summer visitor
Seen on baited dives off Aliwal Shoal and at Protea Banks, mainly in the warmer months. Big, curious and a highlight of many trips.
Zambezi shark
Bull shark
The signature shark of Protea Banks, seen mostly in summer on deep dives for experienced divers.
Scalloped hammerhead
Seasonal schools
Schools appear at Protea Banks in the warmer months. Shy, so calm divers get the best views.
Blacktip shark
Baited dives
The regular sharks on baited dives off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, active and fast-moving.
Copper shark
Bronze whaler
Follows the sardines in winter and is one of the main predators during the Sardine Run. Also common on the south and west coasts.
Blue and mako sharks
Open ocean
Found offshore from the Cape. Pelagic trips from the Cape Point area look for them in summer, in deep open water.
Sevengill and shysharks
Cold-water reef sharks
Broadnose sevengills were long a False Bay highlight, though sightings have fallen. Small shysharks and pyjama sharks are common in Cape Town's kelp forests.
Great white sharks
South Africa is famous for great white sharks, and cage diving has been run for many years from Gansbaai, a couple of hours' drive from Cape Town, and from Mossel Bay on the south coast. Divers stay in a cage at the surface while sharks are attracted with bait and decoys, so no dive certification is usually needed.
Since the late 2010s, great white sightings at the traditional sites have become much less predictable, and operators often report other sharks, such as copper sharks, instead. If great whites are the main reason for your trip, ask operators for their recent sightings before you book and keep your plans flexible.
Baited and natural shark dives
Shark dives in South Africa come in two kinds. Natural dives, like the raggie dives at Aliwal Shoal or drift dives at Protea Banks, put you on a reef or in the blue where sharks are already present. Baited dives use a bait container or drum in open water to attract sharks to a group of divers. They give reliable close encounters with species such as blacktip and tiger sharks.
Whichever you choose, pick an established operator, listen to the briefing and follow the rules: stay with the group, keep your hands to yourself, stay vertical and calm, and keep an eye on the sharks around you. Good operators put the animals' welfare first and do not hand-feed sharks.
Shark nets and drumlines
Many popular swimming beaches in KwaZulu-Natal are protected by shark nets and drumlines, managed by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board. They do not affect normal dive sites offshore, but you may see them, and the Sharks Board's work on shark research and safety is worth learning about while you are in Durban.
Planning a shark trip
- Winter (roughly June to November): raggies at Aliwal Shoal, copper sharks and the Sardine Run, humpback whales offshore.
- Summer (roughly November to April): tiger sharks, Zambezi sharks and hammerheads in KwaZulu-Natal, blue and mako trips off the Cape.
Many divers base themselves on the KwaZulu-Natal coast south of Durban and dive Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks on the same trip. Our South Africa dive trip planning guide explains how to fit the regions together.
Questions
Shark diving questions
Is shark diving in South Africa safe?
Dives with established operators have a good safety record. The species divers meet are not interested in people as food, and operators run dives to clear rules. Follow the briefing, stay with your group and do not touch the sharks.
What certification do I need?
Raggie dives at Aliwal Shoal suit open water divers on calm days. Baited dives and Protea Banks usually need an advanced certification and experience in current and deeper water. Great white cage diving at the surface normally needs no certification.
When is the best month for shark diving?
There is no single best month. Winter is best for raggies and the Sardine Run; summer is best for tiger sharks, Zambezi sharks and hammerheads. Choose the species first, then the season.
Follow the sardines
Sharks, dolphins, gannets and whales all chase the sardines in winter.