The Complete Guide to Diving Protea Banks in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Some 8km offshore from Shelly Beach is one of the best places in South Africa to dive with sharks. And, depending on the time of year, up to seven different varieties can be seen there.
It all comes down one of the world’s most powerful oceanic currents. One that moves almost 70 million tons of water a second… as it surges down the east coast of South Africa.
Often described as the African equivalent of the Gulf Stream. Its name is the Agulhas Current and it forms to the south-west of the huge island of Madagascar. Where the powerful Mozambique Current merges with the equally strong East Madagascar Current.
From that tumultuous beginning, the Agulhas runs straight down the 2000km long east coast of South Africa.
With surface speeds of up 8km an hour, it brings with it warm Indian Ocean water rich with nutrients. And where those waters touch offshore reef systems along the edge of the narrow South African continental shelf. They are the catalyst and life-blood for some incredible ecosystems. And one of the very richest of those ecosystems is the Protea Banks…
Diving Protea Banks
Diving Protea Banks is adventurous stuff… It’s deep and isolated plus there are some really strong currents. It’s just not for everybody!
But come prepared and you will be richly rewarded with some excellent diving and incredible shark encounters – Read more…
Oceanic Blacktips
Oceanic Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) are by far the most common of the sharks to be seen when diving Protea Banks.
They are easily enticed in and are the main attraction for the baited dives and can be quite “sporty” around the bait box – Read more…
Ragged Tooth Sharks
Ragged Tooth sharks are a regular feature of diving Protea Banks in winter. They gather to mate, with the first males arriving in April
The peak of the mating season is from mid-June to the end of July. When there are literally hundreds of patrolling “raggies” – Read more…
Zambezi Sharks
Zambezi Sharks, or Bull Sharks as they are known elsewhere, are almost a constant year-round presence when diving Protea Banks.
They can be seen on most dives – either when drifting across the reefs or on baited dives. But they tend to avoid divers – Read more…
Tiger Sharks
The size and reputation of these very impressive animals means that they completely dominate the proceedings when they appear.
The Protea Banks is thought to be a breeding and birthing area for Tiger sharks and so sightings are quite common – Read more…
Protea Banks Article
The Protea Banks offers some exceptional diving and shark encounters and I have been very fortunate to dive the area extensively.
I documented my experiences in an extensive eight-page article that was published by the global dive magazine X-Ray – Read more…
