Hammerhead Shark Diving Safari | Scuba diving with Hammerhead Sharks at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks

Day one:
From Durban International Airport we first visit the Natal Sharks Board to view the audiovisual show and display of sharks, rays and turtles endemic to the area. Then we transfer to the little diving village of UmKomazi where you will be received with typical South African hospitality. Dinner is a social affair - steaks on the fire accompanied by local wines & beers (we cater for vegetarians and non-alcoholics too), and of course we brief and prepare physiologically for the diving:-)

Day two:
The first two dives are around the edges of Aliwal Shoal, where we stand the best chance of encountering the Hammerhead Sharks. The depth in this especially marine protected area varies between 14 and 20 meters; the water temperature is around 25 degrees C and the visibility anything between 8 and 20 meters. Most importantly the dives serve for you to get used to the launching and diving conditions, sort out buoyancy and for me to be sure that we have the safety procedures drilled in (no attitude, just cautious). After lunch we transfer to Shelly Beach - home to serious shark diving and seafood.

Days three to six:
It is an early start for two dives at Protea Banks - rated as one of the world's best shark diving spots and certainly one of the most adventurous! An exiting launch through the surf takes us to the Southern Pinnacles where we search for the Hammerhead Sharks that migrate to reef in their hundreds during end October/November, accompanied by Copper Sharks and Blackfin Sharks. Of course there are also Bull Sharks, Giant Guitar Sharks, several other shark species and rays (devil, manta, bull, eagle etc) that frequent the reef. Visibility varies from 8 to 40 meters, and the water temperature is 24+ degrees Celsius.

During the rest of the day we:
Visit the spectacular Oribi Gorge where you have the option of abseiling, gorge swinging, or simply enjoying the awesome scenery, and then top it with a late afternoon game drive in the private Elands Wildlife Reserve. Visit the local crocodile farm and snake park. Go horse riding on the beach. Dine at different restaurants with the highlight being a traditional meal at a family kraal in rural Zululand - part of our commitment to supporting traditional communities.

On day six we transfer to Durban, the capital city of KwaZulu Natal for a night out in town!

Day seven:
Finish the week with a late breakfast and a tour of Durban and it's markets and;

» (Option A)

» (Option B)
Jump on a plane to Gansbaai to cage dive with the Great White Sharks - 3 nights bed and breakfast, land transfers, 2 sessions cage diving/viewing @ ZAR5,999.00 per person sharing, or

» (Option C)
Fly to UmKomazi to dive with Tiger Sharks (sorry, no cages) - 3 nights bed and breakfast, land transfers, 2 sessions Tiger Shark Diving @ ZAR4,199.00 per person sharing, or

» (Option D)
Add a land safari to the trip and see lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and many more species before flying home - 2 nights bed and breakfast, land transfers, 4 game activities @ ZAR3,999.00 per person sharing

Excluded from the price
» All travel costs to and from South Africa
» Visas, personal insurance and taxes
» Alcoholic and other drinks
» Optional excursions

Important
We are committed to delivering the exact itinerary, but we reserve the right to make any changes that we find necessary for the comfort or safety of the client without notice.