Diving with Coral Divers

What could I see?

You will be amazed at the sheer number of marine species when diving with us. Our reef is home to 1200 species of fish, which compared to 1800 on the Great Barrier Reef is incredible, since it is less than 1/10th the area! As well as many tropical and subtropical fish, you will find invertebrates, turtles, rays and sharks on any of the numerous dive sites. Speak to our Dive Masters about what interests you the most, so they can advise the best sites to visit. What is more, is our seasonal sightings of Whalesharks and Manta Rays (Dec-Apr), Humpback Whales (Jun-Oct), Ragged-Tooth Sharks (Dec-Feb), and nesting Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles (Dec-Feb), are all incredible experiences that see divers returning here year after year.

What makes Sodwana special?

The reef  in Sodwana Bay is believed to be about 80,000 years old and the sandstone rock base dating back to the late Pleistocene era. These would have been ancient fossilised sand dunes from when the sea level here was about 20m lower than today. Due to this broad sandstone base, the reef profile tends to be flat with low pinnacles, shallow drop offs, swim-throughs and gullies that range in depth from 8m to 100m and are suitable to novice and experienced divers alike. There is something for everyone!

How does the diving work?

All the dives are done as Drift Dives, since a predominant north to south current flows and is noticeable most of the time, although some days it flows in reverse, or not at all. If pretty strong, more than one dive site may be covered on your dive. All our boats have a Divemaster overseeing the dives and a qualified skipper to take you out. Choosing the best dive site and route on the day, ensuring a great dive, is very important to us, to give you a great overall experience. The dive sites are planned the evening before, but we will change this if we see that the sea conditions are not ideal for the dive site originally planned.

If you’re booking your first dive of the holiday, please bring your certification card or log book with you to the Dive Planning meeting.

Can I do a course?

If you’re interested in learning to dive or further training once you are here, just come to reception and we’ll introduce you to an instructor.

Do I need a Dive Permit?

It is government legislation to hold a permit for diving in a Marine Protected Area. If you have been diving at Aliwal Shoal or elsewhere in a MPA, you can use the same permit if it isn’t expired. This 30 day temporary permit can be bought at our reception or the Beach Shop. Alternatively you can purchase an annual licence at your local post office (they do sell 30 day permits as well).

What is Dive Planning?

Once you have made a booking with us (to stay and dive, or just to dive), you’ll need to provisionally book space on the boat for the dive site that best suits your interests and experience level.

You dive site booking can be made from 6am to 1pm daily. Either visit our gazebo on the beach and speak to our Beach Controller (or call on +27 76 718 8260) – Please note that this number is only available from 10 September ’20 onwards. You can also attend the Dive Planning meeting the evening before you wish to dive (6.45pm to 7.00pm). It is here that dive times and dive sites will be confirmed for the following day’s diving. Please be sure to confirm your times by phone if you cannot make it in person?  Please also make a provisional dive site booking, especially during High Season when we are extremely busy? All provisional bookings are subject to change so please make an effort to attend the Dive Planning, or take a look at the board to confirm your times if you do miss the meeting.

Where do I hire gear?

This is preferably arranged at dive planning, paid at our reception and then fitted at the gear room on the evening before the dive. However, the Gear Room is open from 6am daily and a member of staff will be on duty to assist you with your sizes, weight requirements etc., provided you have pre-paid, or are a resident in the resort. Since reception only opens at 7am, you will need to do the payment prior to this if you are not staying with us. Gear will be signed out under your name and it is your responsibility to ensure its safekeeping during your stay. Everything is individually numbered for easy identification – please take note of your number/s. You are liable for replacement gear at current rates.

Where do I ‘kit-up’?

Our beach shuttle departs the camp 45 minutes before your dive time. Please be there and ready to go with all your gear. Once on the beach, you must ready and check your gear during the 30 minute period before your launch. A selection of cylinders with DIN and Yoke fittings will be on the beach at the Coral Divers gazebo, ready for use (nitrox cylinders are available for hire if you have a Nitrox Specialty). Your Divemaster is there to assist you and will do a briefing before you set out.

What are the boats and procedures like?

We use 7.2m (21 foot) semi-rigid inflatables (RIBs), with twin outboard motors. They carry a maximum of 11 divers including the Divemaster, with sufficient space for cameras and video equipment. Divers ‘kit up’ and get into their wetsuits before their boat launches. Your dive gear will then be secured on the boat by our beach crew. The boat is then pushed off the sand into the water by a tractor. Once the skipper gives the call, you are asked to jump aboard. From here, the skipper navigates his way through the surf to your dive site. When the divers surface, the boat picks them up and once all are on board, you return to shore.

Listing Amenities

  • Accommodation
  • Covid-19 Compliant
  • On Site Restaurant
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay National Park, Camp F, Mbazwana, 3974
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