Aliwal Shoal, KwaZulu-Natal

Aliwal Shoal is the first name on the list of the best dive sites in South Africa. Aliwal Shoal, one of the world's top ten dive sites, is known for its shark sightings, including ragged-tooth sharks, tiger sharks, and hammerhead sharks. The Aliwal Shoal, the remains of an ancient sand dune about 5 kilometers out to sea off the coast of Umkomaas and half an hour's drive from Durban, was named after the near-sinking of the three-masted vessel "Aliwal", captained by James Anderson, in 1849. The marine life on Aliwal Shoal is diverse, with large predators among them. Between July and November, when the sharks congregate to mate, the Shoal is known for its abundance of Grey Nurse Sharks.

Manta rays, moray eels, stingrays, turtles, and schools of pelagic and coral fish have all been seen at this dive spot. On the shoal, there are numerous points of interest. Raggies Cave/Shark Alley, Pinnacles, Cathedral, South Sands, North Sands, Inside Edge, Outside Edge, Chunnel, and Manta Point are among the more well-known.

Location: Aliwal Shoal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa