South Africa is one of the most interesting places for diving in the world. Local underwater world of the two oceans – the Atlantic and the Indian – is striking for its diversity and number of large marine animals – sharks, whales, dolphins, seals, turtles and many others. Southern tip of Africa is a recognized cemetery of wrecks. There is also a mass of curious coral reefs. And of course South Africa has amazing land and nature reserves set that allows you to combine diving with unforgettable land safari. Diving place for the rest of the coastline of the country, it is primarily Daley diving, that is, the boat returned to shore after diving. One of the features of the local diving – fairly large coastal waves, through which have come out in boats to dive sites. This should be considered for people with a weak vestibular system. The main and most interesting dive areas in South Africa are (choose area for more details): Atlantic Ocean • Cape Town, Cape Point and the Cape Peninsula (Western Cape) • Gansbaai (Western Cape) Indian Ocean • Margate (KwaZulu Natal) • Sodwana Bay (KwaZulu Natal) • Umkomas (KwaZulu Natal) • Umshlanga Rocks (KwaZulu Natal) • Rokteyl Bay (KwaZulu Natal) • Garden Route (Western and Eastern Cape) • Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape)
Diving in Cape Town
According to many tourists, Cape Town, the most bright and cosmopolitan city in South Africa. With a variety of attractions, restaurants, clubs and shops, he is among the 3 most visited places in South Africa. Diving in this area largely depends on the direction of the winds, which blows most ’southern point of‘ the African continent. Coastal waters of Cape Town, dotted with sunken ships, as well as thickets kelpa and soft corals. The water temperature rarely exceeds 18 C (average 14C). In winter (May-August) dives are usually held in the Bay False Bay (the inner side of the Cape Peninsula), and the rest of the time – on the west coast (the side of the Cape Town).> VULSAN ROCK – clean water, but can be quite cold (10-12 C). The maximum depth of 40 meters. Corals. A large colony of seals. ROMAN ROCK – also a large colony of fur seals, as in the Vulcan Rock. Located on the outer side of the Cape Peninsula. The maximum depth of 45 meters ..
WRECKS OF SMITSWINKEL – 5 ships sunk in 1970, the South African Navy, form a magnificent artificial reef. Here lie: SAS Transvaal and SAS Good Hope – Frigates, The Rockeater – the carrier of diamonds (the most interesting of the five merchant ships), The Princess Elizabeth and The Oratava – fishing suda.Schitaetsya one of the most spectacular sites in South Africa. The maximum depth of 40 meters.
LUSITANIA – Portuguese ship that sank in 1911, and dive for experienced divers. The maximum depth of 37 meters.
WHITTLE ROCK – Corals, sometimes there are great white sharks, a very beautiful site and little visited because of the fairly large distance from the shore. The maximum depth of 35 meters V &
A WATERFRONT AQUARIUM – Underwater World 2 oceans surrounding southern Africa – the warm Indian Ocean and the cold Atlantic. The height of the aquarium – 2 floors, are more than 300 species of fish, thickets kelpa (one of 5 in the world), seals, penguins: A single tank with predatory fish, aquarium tank 2 million liters, the depth of 5 meters. Daily at 10:00, 12:00 and at 14:00 you can make a dive. Diving is carried out with a guide. The aquarium 5 saber-toothed sharks, turtles and stingrays. Up to 3 people at a time, diving should be booked in advance.
Diving in GANSBAAI. Ability to monitor Large white sharks – one of the highlights of diving in South Africa. Over the past few years, shark diving here develops tremendous pace, being an organic part of many environmental programs to protect marine animals. City Gansbaai (located 170 km from Cape Town) is considered unofficial world capital of great white sharks. This is one of the few places in the world where a large population remained fairly formidable predators. Gansbaai – a small fishing village, where some are based operators who conduct dives with FAB. The procedure for diving in Gansbaai is quite simple – the boat with 5-6 divers sent from the bay and 30 minutes is anchored near the island of Dyer (Dyer Island). There is a large colony of sea lions. At last count in the waters of the island is found up to 70 000, and they are an integral part of daily diet FAB. In the water drops a big metal cage with an open top, specially designed for these dives, as well as various bait for sharks. Watching the sharks are out of the cage, divers descend to her alone. Finding himself under water, people can get acquainted with this amazing creature, which became widely known thanks to such films as „Jaws.“ One should remember that FAB is not a bloodthirsty killer, a predator is in its natural habitat, whose forefathers have lived on Earth millions of years ago. The optimal season for diving in Gansbaai – from early May to mid-November. Visibility under water is 10 meters, but the water temperature at this time rarely exceeds 16 C, so it is recommended 7mm suit (preferably with a heater). At other times you can watch sharks, not sinking, the boat, because the visibility is less than 2 meters. District Gansbaya also known as the tragic death of HSM BIERKEN-HEAD – British warship that sank in 1852. In addition to the soldiers on board were women and children. Of 638 445 passengers were killed. The maximum depth of 28 meters, because strong currents are experienced divers, the emergence of the great white shark are not uncommon.