Scuba Diving and Diving Sites Kwazulu Natal North Coast / Umhlanga Scuba Diving and Diving Sites / dive sites Durban North Coast

Umhlanga Coastline

Diving

For those not in the know, this has to be one of the most awe-inspiring experiences available to man.

In the clear blue waters of the Indian ocean you swim down to the hidden depths with nothing but your wetsuit, aqua lung and the amazing underwater world. No phones or beepers, just you and the majesty of the Indian Ocean. Stunning coral reefs make this an outstanding location for both diving and snorkelling and not only for the experienced.

If you've ever wanted to get your diving certification, this is the place to do it.

Diving Sites

Dolphin Reef
Dolphin Reef is situated off Umdloti, with a depth ranging from 16 to 27 metres. The reef contains a lot of soft corals, sponges, gorgonians and nudibranchs and stretches for over 2 km (almost a mile), with many different sections from which to dive, including ledges and overhangs.

Fame Wreck
The Fame wreck, just offshore of Ballito, makes for an excellent training site. Lying under 19m of water, it sank in May 2000. This site provides lots of air, time and light penetration. There is also a fair bit of fish life.

Fontao Wreck
Divestyle magazine has rated this in the top 15 warm water dive sites of South Africa. The Fontao, a Mocambiquan fishing trawler that was sunk off the coast of Umhlanga in 1991, lies 27 metres deep, with the top of the wreck reachable at 17 metres.

Lighthouse Reef
The Lightouse Reef is directly offshore in Umhlanga, just south of the Umhlanga lighthouse.

T-Barge Wreck
Another dive site that Divestyle magazine has rated amongst the top 15 South African warm water dive sites. This barge was sunk between Durban and Umhlanga, just offshore of Virginia Airport, in 1990. The wreck lies 27m under water with the top being reachable at 17m.