Aliwal Shoal has become internationally recognized as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Aliwal Shoal is mainly dived from the seaside town of Umkomaas. It can also be reached from the town of Scottburgh. Divers flock to Umkomaas to experience the incredible diving that Aliwal shoal offers.

Diving Aliwal Shoal

Aliwal Shoal has become internationally recognized as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Aliwal Shoal is mainly dived from the seaside town of Umkomaas. It can also be reached from the town of Scottburgh. Divers flock to Umkomaas to experience the incredible diving that Aliwal shoal offers.

Umkomaas

Umkomaas is a sleepy seaside town which serves as the gateway to the Aliwal Shoal. The Zulu name is Umkomanzi, which was given by King Shaka Zulu on one of his royal processions. He saw a number of whales and calves that were basking in the shallows a short distance from the river mouth. The name Umkomanzi means ˜The watering place of the whales.

Umkomaas is approximately 50km south of Durban and Scottburgh a further 20km south. In 1849, a 3 mast vessel called the Aliwal almost collided with the shoal, giving the shoal its now famous name.

Aliwal Shoal, the early years

Aliwal Shoal was first dived in the 1950’s, and was extensively explored in the 1980s by dive operators. Umkomaas provides the launch site to the shoal from the river under the Umkomaas bridge. This can be an exciting adrenaline rush as the experienced skippers weave their boats down the river under the bridge and through the waves. Aliwal Shoal is on the inside edge of the warm Mozambique current, and the warm water often provide excellent visibility.

A huge array of reef fish species as well as rays, turtles, sharks and mantas inhabit the shoal, and schools of dolphins and whales are frequently spotted. The shoal is approximately 5kms in length, and lies in a north/south direction. The shoal is approximately 5 to 7km from the launch site. The shoal attracts over 1200 species of fish, as well as turtles, rays, sharks and whales.

Aliwal Shoal is home to two shipwrecks frequented by divers. The Nebo sank on her maiden voyage in 1884, and the Produce sank in 1974.

Accommodation near Aliwal shoal

In this area you can choose from camping to lodge and hotel accommodation. Self catering and full board is available in the area of Umkomaas and nearby Scottburgh. The area also offers a wide range of restaurants and fast food outlets.

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Aliwal Shoal activities

Diving on Aliwal Shoal

Wreck diving: The following shipwrecks are frequently dived at Aliwal Shoal. These wrecks are advanced dive sites and ideal for the wreck diving speciality.

• NeboThis 2000 ton steamship sank on 20 May 1884 just north of the Aliwal Shoal. She was on her maiden voyage from England to Durban, carrying a railway bridge. Although there is no certainty, it was officially reported that she had struck an uncharted pinnacle maybe Northern pinnacle on nearby Aliwal shoal. Some experts also believe that the weight of the railway bridge upon the deck could have caused her to be capsized by a large wave. There is credibility to this story, as the Nebo is lying upside down in 24m of water.
• ProduceThe Norwegian bulk carrier, of 15000 tons ripped open her hull on Northern Pinnacles on 11 August 1974. The crew made a brave attempt to get to shore, but the ship was doomed and sank shortly afterwards. The crew was rescued, and there were no fatalities.The rusted framework now provides an residence for varied fish species, and makes for very good diving. The bridge of the vessel lies 18 metres under the surface, and the ship lies on a sand bed at approximately 30 metres.The ship is home to large brindle and potato bass and has broken into two separate sections to dive.

• Northern pinnacles 10m
• Raggies Cave 14m
• Cathedral 24m
• South Sands 16m
• Outside Edge 24m
• Inside Edge 16m
• Eel skins 12m