Diving the Protea Banks

Diving the 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…

Protea Banks – Shark Central

Protea Banks Diving… One of the best places in South Africa to dive with sharks. Where, depending on the time of year, you can see up to seven different varieties. Including Ragged-Tooth sharks, “Oceanic” Blacktips, Zambezi (Bull) sharks and Tiger sharks. Plus two varieties of hammerheads …

Oceanic Blacktips of Protea Banks

Oceanic Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) are the signature sharks of Protea Banks, and encounters with them are one of the defining experiences of diving this remarkable offshore reef system. They are sleek, powerful and highly recognisable, with their dark-tipped fins and distinctive …

The “Raggies” of Protea Banks

Ragged Tooth sharks (Charcharius taurus) are a regular feature of the winter months at the Protea Banks. They gather there to mate, with the first males arriving first around the end of April. With numbers steadily increasing through May and in to June when the female raggies also appear. Having …

Zambezi Sharks of Protea Banks

Zambezi Sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) or Bull Sharks as they are known elsewhere… “Zambies” as they are called locally, are almost a constant year-round presence at the Protea Banks. They can be seen on most dives. But are most common from November through to July. The Name… They …

Tiger Sharks of the Protea Banks

Tiger Sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier – these large and very impressive animals completely dominate the proceedings when they appear. For two reasons… their size and their reputation. Their average size is 4m, but larger ones are quite common. And while that length, combined with their incredible …

The Sharks of Protea Banks Article

It is often described as the African equivalent of the Gulf Stream. And is one of the world’s most powerful oceanic currents – one that moves almost 70 million tons of water a second! Its name is the Agulhas Current> And it forms to the south-west of the huge island of Madagascar, when the …

Diving the Protea Banks – A Guide