Hi to all!!
I'm george and i live at Santorini island in Greece..
I came across this site searching the net about our possible first dive during our honeymoon trip at S.Africa!!
I'll open a new thread awaitnig any help/suggestions for our first dive!!
Howzit George...
South Africa is a great place for diving no matter where in the country you are (along the coast line of cause).
In my personal opinion - the best dives are in Sodwana. (Only 280Km from Durban to the north)
The weather there is always summery and now is probably the best time for diving in South Africa as the wind is calm and the rain is on hold until the summer season, meaning you'll have calm seas and clean waters.
Sodwana hosts the most southern tropical reefs in the world, and has a huge diversity. Ranging from shallow reefs for beginners to the deeper reefs for the more advanced. The variety of aquatic live there can keep you enthralled for hours on the same reef, ranging from Manta's and Whale sharks, Huge schools of bright coloured fish, to the amazing macro life and the Reefs it self.
Having dived with several charters there, it is my opinion that Reef Teach is the best one of the lot. They also offer great accommodation and their food is first class. a further service they offer is the education of their divers on the reefs and the life on the reefs and the importance of these reefs to our ecology.
In and around the Sodwana are there is a variety of game farms and lodges you can visit to enjoy the on land nature that Africa has to offer. Sodwana is a part of the Wet lands project. The wet lands are all protected area that strives to reserve the natural beauty and live in the area as it is the only one of it's kind in Africa.
In Durban the main reef to dive there is Aliwal Shaul. A natural reef that host a variety of fishes and sharks. Aliwal is predominantly for shark diving.
The conditions there are some what more difficult for diving as you have 2 rivers flowing into the ocean there which often makes for choppy waters with surge. Do not let this put you off though... The shawl is always a great dive as the scenery makes for great diving always.
As for the charters in Durban - there are many to choose from. The ones I've dived with and prefer is Quo Vadis and Sea Fever. Both offer accommodation.
If you require more info on Africa and diving in other areas - please do not hesitate to contact me either through Private message or e-mail (wmerwe2u@yahoo.com).
I will also be glad to assist you in bookings or arrangements you need.
Hope to hear from you soon
Regards,
Yazrick
