The KwaZulu-Natal coast has become a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts from around the world with colourful tropical reefs and wrecks and a stunning variety of sea-life to be found. Added attractions are the pleasant all-year-round climate, the warm, clear water and excellent back-up in terms of infrastructure and facilities.

The warm Agulhas current that flows down the KwaZulu-Natal coast allows the world's southern-most tropical reefs to flourish, and the water seldom drops below 20 degrees C, summer or winter.

Most popular of the dive sites is Sodwana Bay situated in the northern reaches of the province. Sodwana, meaning 'little one on its own' in Zulu, is easily accessible, only four hours by car from Durban. The reefs at Sodwana are named after their distance from the launch site, starting from 2 Mile going up to 9 Mile. Perhaps the most scenic reef is 7 Mile, which on a good day can compare with the best in the world. Over 1 200 species of fish have been identified at Sodwana Bay.

Sodwana is diveable all year round with the best conditions being experienced during the warm summer months from November to May.

Although KwaZulu-Natal has a large population of sharks, they pose little threat to scuba divers. No shark attack has ever been recorded on a scuba diver in the province. The migrating ragged tooth sharks can be observed on Aliwal Shoal from July to November.

After Sodwana Bay Aliwal Shoal is the next most popular dive destination. Divers flock to Aliwal Shoal from around the world and sightings of the ragged tooth shark can almost be guaranteed.

Aliwal Shoal is a 40-minute drive south of Durban and lies off the small coastal town of Umkomaas. The shoal is a fossilized sand dune, and lies 5 km offshore. It comprises a variety of sponges, some soft and hard corals and a convergence of warm water reef fish and cold water fish the boat trip to Aliwal is normally preceded by an exciting surf launch

The wreck of the Produce, a Norwegian freighter that struck Aliwal Shoal in 1974, now rests in 30 meters of water and makes an interesting wreck dive.

For the adventure seeker, Protea Banks , situated 8 kilometers offshore from Shelly Beach, south of Port Shepstone, is a must. This is a deep dive starting at 25 meters where pelagic fish and the bigger sharks can be seen. The lucky diver may spot the potentially dangerous Zambezi, tiger and hammerhead sharks during the summer months, and ragged tooth sharks during winter.

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