Sodwana Bay

[JoP]

I am planning a group trip to South Africa and want to include 5 days diving at Sodwana Bay. Are there any times of the year best to avoid? Does anyone know the medical arrangements in case of emergency, it was suggested by someone on trip advisor that it is non existent? Diving in the UK we have excellent assistance in place in case of emergency, thankfully we have never needed it but it is re-assuring to know it's there.

 

[PsyWulf]

Ooh you're in for quite a trip Are you a DAN member per chance? Heli-vac for emergencies is always awesome. Closest regular hospital is quite a ways away

Best to avoid times - December holidays near new years,place is PACKED,otherwise not much to avoid. Brilliant diving all year

 

[JoP]

Hi Thanks for the response. What is a DAN member?

 

[PsyWulf]

These guys

[h=1]Overview[/h] DAN is divers helping divers, and your DAN membership helps you, too. For only $35⁺ per year ($55⁺ per year for a family), you get a host of great benefits while supporting DAN's mission of providing emergency medical assistance and promoting dive safety.
⁺Residents of Canada add $5.

Join today![h=2]Exclusive Benefits[/h]DAN TravelAssist^®
As a DAN Member, you automatically receive DAN TravelAssist and up to $100,000 of evacuation assistance coverage. This benefit is effective for both diving and nondiving medical emergencies. Evacuation coverage begins when you travel on a trip at least 50 miles (80 km) from home and call the DAN Emergency Hotline (+1-919-684-9111) for assistance or evacuation.

Alert Diver magazine
Alert Diver is DAN's quarterly magazine. Each issue is a must-read reference, with topics including dive-related medical and research information, underwater photography, dive travel and marine environmental issues. If you want to receive Alert Diver, you must be a DAN Member. The magazine's interactive online companion, AlertDiver.com, provides new and bonus content between issues.

DAN Dive and Travel Medical Guide
With extensive coverage of diving safety and health issues and the latest information on dive travel safety, the updated DAN Dive and Travel Medical Guide is an essential tool for prevention, identification and treatment of diving injuries. It's an automatic benefit of DAN membership.

Worldcue^® Planner Real-Time Travel Intelligence^® Resource
DAN Members get access to Worldcue^® Planner, the same travel intelligence resource used by top government officials, corporate executives and travel agents to enhance travel plans and avoid potential difficulties while traveling. Simply login to your DAN account and click the "Resources" tab.

Online seminars
DAN offers informative, web-based seminars to allow divers to learn about diving and dive medicine in the comfort of their own home. These seminars are available only to DAN Members.

Read more about member benefits and services in the DAN Member Handbook (PDF: 319 KB).
[h=2]Additional DAN Member Opportunities[/h]DAN Dive Accident Insurance Program
DAN offers three plans with no mileage restrictions when you use your dive accident or injury coverage. (Additional fees apply.)

DAN Travel Insurance Program
DAN travel insurance provides you with 24/7 access to protection for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delay and much more. Travel insurance is available online only. (Additional fees apply.)

DAN Dive Equipment Insurance Program
Senn, Dunn, Marsh and Roland offers equipment coverage exclusively to DAN Members. Equipment insurance is available online only. (Additional fees apply. Available to U.S. residents only.)
[h=2]Your membership dues support a variety of programs for all divers:[/h] DAN Emergency Hotline (+1-919-684-9111)
DAN Medical Information Line (+1-919-684-2948)
Dive medical research
Training, safety and educational programs
Outreach programs such as:

Recompression Chamber Assistance Program
Diver IDentification System (DIDS)
Oxygen Grant Program
AED Matching Grant Program
​

Join today!

Pretty much essential for any divers that want to be covered for diving related issues ( or non-diving when travelling )

See their Travel Assist

 

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Depends what you are looking for in lines of medical issues, if its a decompression chamber close by, No, the closest one is several hours away by car, a good hospital, much the same, for MAJOR MEDICAL issues you will need to be helicopter evacuated so its essential to be a Dan member before diving there. As suggested all members of the party should join DAN before the trip.

There are some times when its better than others condition wise, November through March the days are hot and sunny and the water a balmy 25 degrees, the winter months brings colder water but usually better (flatter) sea conditions, but like been mentioned, its a toss up, the diving is pretty good all year.

 

[ocdiver1]

Can't answer any of your questions, but can tell you will love Sodwana! Hard to get to, but worth it.

 

[JoP]

Thanks guys, this is really useful. Can't wait!