Shark Diving Protea Banks
The Ultimate South African Adventure
Shark Diving at Protea Banks, South Africa
Dive In Adventure Tours offers advanced shark diving from Shelly Beach to Protea Banks, one of South Africa’s most famous offshore reefs. We run reef shark dives and ethical baited shark dives with small groups, experienced guides, full briefings, and GPS tracking for every diver.
Daily Dive Trips to Protea Banks
🚤 Daily Launches from Shelly Beach, weather dependent!
Join us to explore the world-famous Protea Banks !
WHY PROTEA BANKS!
Protea Banks is not a typical reef dive. It is a deep offshore reef off Shelly Beach where strong currents, open ocean conditions and the warm Agulhas Current come together to create one of the most active shark environments in the world!
Known for advanced drift diving, Protea Banks delivers consistent encounters with large pelagic sharks. Divers regularly see tiger sharks, bull sharks (Zambezi sharks), hammerheads sharks, oceanic blacktips and ragged-tooth sharks.
What makes this reef stand out is the mix of raw ocean conditions and high shark activity. You can do deep reef dives as well as baited shark dives, giving you both natural encounters and closer, controlled observations.
Protea Banks is widely regarded as one of the top shark diving destinations in South Africa for its consistency, species diversity and true open ocean experience. This is advanced shark diving. Deep, dynamic and real.
Why Dive Protea Banks with us!
Baited shark diving at Protea Banks
Ready to dive with sharks at Protea Banks?
Baited shark diving offers a controlled open water experience where you can observe sharks up close, without cages or barriers.
Dives take place at around 10 to 15 metres, allowing longer bottom time and extended encounters with oceanic blacktip sharks, bull sharks, and seasonal tiger sharks.
We use a scent trail only, no feeding, to attract sharks already in the area, keeping the experience natural and ethical.
This is one of the most effective ways to experience shark behaviour up close in Protea Banks, in real ocean conditions with experienced guides.
Protea Banks Reef shark dive
Protea Banks Dive Trips & Packages
The Sardine Run – The Greatest Show in the Ocean
Millions of sardines race up South Africa’s coast, trailed by sharks, dolphins, whales, and dive-bombing gannets. Small-group expeditions with expert skippers and spotter-plane support. Front-row action. Lifetime memories.
Every June and July, millions of sardines migrate up the South African coast , followed by sharks, dolphins, whales, and gannets.
Join our Sardine Run expeditions to witness nature’s most spectacular marine event.
We operate from the Wild Coast with experienced skippers and spotter planes.
Expect close-up action, incredible visibility, and lifetime memories.
Scuba diving courses
Whether you’re taking your very first breath underwater, looking to sharpen your dive skills, or dreaming of becoming a scuba professional
What our clients say about us!
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My wife and I really enjoyed diving at Protea Banks. We saw many sharks, and my wife especially loved it. Thanks to the great instructor, the safe skipper, and the... read more
JUN YOUNG KIM
February 2, 2026We had a wonderful time with Patricia and her team—a friendly and dedicated diving group that goes above and beyond to meet your needs. It was a pleasure diving with... read more
Reza Imanpour
February 10, 2026What a great experience with the crew from Dive in adventures! I took my open water diving certificate with them and the whole process was handled amazingly! We dived both... read more
javier lopez randulfe
December 22, 2025 -
Dive In Adventures at Protea Banks offers an outstanding and very professional experience. Patricia, the owner and manager of the dive center, is extremely reliable, welcoming, and kind. From the... read more
Caroline Bouyer
January 6, 2026Patricia et toute son équipe sont vraiment parfaits. Le matériel est au top ainsi que la sécurité, nous sommes équipés d’un GPS au cas où..... Un grand plus pour Michaels... read more
Alain Yolande
January 8, 2026Llevo 11 años dedicándome al buceo profesionalmente y 6 años llevando alumnos y buceadores por el mundo, y puedo decir, con criterio real, que este centro de buceo es un... read more
Iñaki Galilea Benito
January 30, 2026 -
The dives with Dive in Adventures Protea Banks were a true delight. The dive site itself is the best I've ever dived in, and that, combined with the dive center... read more
Daniel Bode
February 2, 2026Just spent 5 days diving with the incredible and professional team at Dive in. Patricia runs one of the only dive centres in the area. Everything from enquiring... read more
Christine Smith
January 7, 2026I had a wonderful day with the Dive in Adventures team. The diving was fantastic, lots of sharks and the boat crew/diver leaders were excellent. High quality equipment, great communication... read more
bobby fishel
January 22, 2026
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Protea Banks Sharks
Protea Banks FAQ
Is shark diving at Protea Banks safe?
Shark diving at Protea Banks is safe when conducted by an experienced professional team.
Every dive is fully briefed, planned around sea conditions, and run under South African
marine regulations. Divers enter, descend, and surface together under strict group
procedures. Each diver carries a personal GPS device. Incidents are extremely rare.
What experience level is required to dive Protea Banks?
Protea Banks is an advanced dive site. Divers must hold at least Advanced Open Water
certification (or equivalent) and have approximately 30–35 logged dives. You must be
comfortable with deep diving, drift diving, negative entries, and blue water descents. The site
reaches depths of 30–36 meters. Private guide support can be arranged on request.
What sharks can I see at Protea Banks?
Protea Banks is home to multiple large shark species year-round. Depending on the season,
divers may encounter Bull (Zambezi) sharks, Tiger sharks, Oceanic Blacktip sharks,
Scalloped Hammerheads — sometimes in large schools — Ragged-Tooth sharks, Silky
sharks, and Guitar sharks. Seeing several species on a single dive is common.
What is the best time to dive Protea Banks?
Protea Banks is a year-round shark diving destination with no bad season. Summer
(November–March) brings Hammerheads, Blacktips, Bull (Zambezi) sharks, and Tiger
sharks. Winter (June–August) delivers large Ragged-Tooth shark aggregations in the reef
caves. Spring and autumn typically offer the widest species diversity in a single dive.
Where is Protea Banks located and how do I get there?
Protea Banks is an offshore reef on South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, launched
from Shelly Beach Harbour near Margate — approximately 7–8 km out to sea. The closest
major airport is King Shaka International (DUR) in Durban, roughly a 2–2.5 hour drive from
Shelly Beach, with car rental and transfer options available on arrival.
Find us
ADVENTURE AWAITS
Scuba diving
At the 3 of the most famous Dive Sites in South Africa
- 4 dives at Sodwana bay
- 4 dives at Aliwal Shoal
- 4 dives at Protea Banks
Wildlife safari
- Meet the Big 5 and the incredible South Africa wildlife on a Full Day Safari in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- Hippo Trip at the Isimangaliso Wetland Park
- Night Safari Isimangaliso Wetland Park
Adventure tours
Experience South Africa’s breathtaking scenery and adventure!
- Full Day of at Oribi Gorge
- Full day tour to Sani Pass and Lesotho
- 4 hour Hike to Drakensberg Cave to see the Bushman paintings
PACKAGE INFORMATION
This package offers an unforgettable 14-day experience in KwaZulu-Natal, both under and above the water. you will experience the best shark diving, wildlife safari & adventure South Africa can offer!
You’ll have the opportunity to dive along stunning reefs, encounter sharks, rays, whales and a variety of reef and game fish in Sodwana Bay, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. Additionally, you’ll explore the Elephant Coast, one of the last preserved wildlands in the world in search of unique African wildlife. The trip includes scenic drives, adrenaline-pumping activities and immersion in African culture in the heart of the Zulu and Basotho kingdoms.
Our group sizes are small, typically ranging from 6 to 12 people, ensuring a personalized experience while connecting with adventurous travelers from around the world. Our guided group tours are suitable for solo travelers, groups of friends and couples, offering a safe and immersive local experience.
Safety is our top priority, both underwater and on land. Every aspect of our package is meticulously planned with your safety in mind, allowing you to enjoy the experience worry-free. We worry so you don’t have to.
This is an active package which means, we have activities planned for every day, early in the day. Who wants to come to South Africa to stay in the hotel, right? But we have made sure to include some free afternoons to chill if that’s what you want. Alternatively, you can choose some extra activities if you want to keep going.
Disclaimer: We put all our effort into making sure everything works as planned, but the African clock works at a different rhythm and we have to go with it. All our activities are weather-dependent, so this itinerary may be changed to better fit the weather predictions.
Our package is for advanced divers , if you are not an AD you can ask us about our PADI Advanced Course.
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- This package includes all transfers, a tour guide and a group leader for the duration of the trip.
- 14 nights accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
PACKAGE EXCLUDES
- Airplane Ticket
- Visas
- Personal expenses, drinks, gifts
- Dive equipment- can be rented, Cilinder and weight included
- Extra activities- check our list and prices
- Dive permits- can be acquired on line
PACKAGE PRICE
- R90000 PP sharing
- R95400 PP single
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL
- Pickup at Durban Airport
- Transfer to Hotel
- Check-in
- 6:00pm Dinner
DAY 2 - Transfer to Sodwana Bay
- 7:30am – Breakfast
- 8:15am – Transfer to Sodwana Bay
- 2:15pm – Check-in & Lunch
- Enjoy the afternoon in your lodge or walking on the beatifull Sodwana beach
- Dinner at your own time
- Overnight in Sodwana Bay Lodge.
DAY 3 - 2 dives Sodwana Bay
- 7:00 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Dive
- 11:00 am – Dive
- 1:00 pm – Lunch
- Afternoon Free
- Dinner at your on time
- Extra Tour: Turtle Tour, Night Dive
- Overnight in Sodwana Bay Lodge
DAY 4 - 2 dives Sodwana Bay
- 7:30am – Breakfast
- 9:00am – Dive Sodwana Day
- 11:00am – Dive
- 1:00pm – Lunch
- 2:00pm- Check-out and transfer to St. Lucia
- Dinner of own choice
- Optional Night Safari
- Overnight in Ecolodge St Lucia
DAY 5 - Full day Safari
- 5:00am – Climb aboard an open jeep for a full-day Safari
- Breakfast and lunch during the Safari
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- After dinner you can choose to relax or go on a 4hour Night Safari
DAY 6 - Hippo Boat Trip
- 8:00am – Breakfast
- 9:00am- Hippo Boat Trip
- 12:00am- Lunch
- 1:00pm- 3 hour transfer to Umkomaas
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- Overnight in Buddy Scuba Lodge
DAY 7 - 2 Dives Aliwal Shoal
Time to Get Wet Diving
- 6am – Breakfast
- 8am – 2 Dives Aliwal Shoal
- 1pm – Lunch
- In the afternoon you can choose to chill out or book one of our extra activities
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- Overnight in Buddy Scuba Lodge
DAY 8 - 2 Dives Aliwal Shoal
Time to Get Wet Diving!
- 6am – Breakfast
- 8am – 2 Dives Aliwal Shoal
- 1pm – Lunch
- Transfer Shelly Beach
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- Overnight in Shelly Beach
DAY 9- full day Oribe Gorge Tour
- 8:00 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Wild 5 Extra activities: Gorge swing or Abseil
- 12:00 am – Lunch at Leopard Rock
- 2:00 pm – Lake Eland Game Drive Extra Activities: 4,5km Zipline, Extreme Zipline.
- 6:30 pm – Dinner
- Overnight in Shelly Beach
DAY 10 - 2 Dives Protea Banks
Time to Get Wet Diving!
- 6am – Breakfast
- 8am – 2 Dives Protea Banks
- 2pm – Lunch
- In the afternoon you can choose to chill out or book one of our extra activities.
- 6:00pm – Dinner
DAY 11 - 2 Dives Protea Banks
Time to Get Wet Diving!
- 6am – Breakfast
- 8am- 2 Dives Protea Banks
- 2pm – Lunch
- Transfer to Underberg
- Dinner included at the time of own choice
- Overnight in Sani Pass Lodge
DAY 12 - Suni Pass
- 7:00 am- Breakfast
- 9:00 am: Suni Pass Tour
- 12:00 am- Lunch at the Highest pub in Africa
- 4:00 pm- Back to lodge
- Dinner your time choice
- Overnight Suni Pass Lodge
Day 13 - full Day at Sani Pass Lodge
Time to slow down and enjoy the peace of the mountains!
- Extra activities Hiking to cave to visit Bushman rock paint site, River Tubing, Horse Riding
- Lunch at Underberg
- Dinner included at the time of own choice
- Overnight in Sani Pass Lodge
Day 14 - Scenic Drive back to Durban
- 8:00am – Breakfast
- 10:00am – Scenic Drive on the foothill of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park
- 14:00pm – Lunch
- 17:00 pm – Check-in Durban Hotel
- 8:00pm – Farwell Dinner
- Overnight Durban
Day 15 - Time for your sad farewell
- 7am – Breakfast
- 8am – 4pm- You can be dropped at the airport any time of the day according to your flight time.
We are sure you will have a big smile on your face and good memories, and will be missing South Africa already!
ACCOMMODATION
- This package includes all transfers, a tour guide and a group leader for the duration of the trip.
- 14 nights accommodation.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
CONDITIONS
-
After booking, we will send you confirmation and all the booking information.
If cancellation occurs 2 months prior, 20% of the deposit will be refunded. After 2 months, no refund.
-
The final payment must be made 4 weeks prior to the date.
-
20% deposit for confirmed booking
DATES
- 11 May 2025 to 25 May 2025
- 5 August 2025 to 19 August 2025
- 5 October 2025 to 19 October 2025
- 1 December 2025 to 15 December 2025
Dive with the biggest Sharks in the Oceans, have a face-to-face encounters with the Big 5 and incrediable Adventures in a single Holiday!
Our next 2 week tour is Scheduled for 11 May 2025
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL
- Pickup at Durban Airport
- Transfer to Hotel
- Check-in
- 6:00pm Dinner
DAY 2 - Transfer to Sodwana Bay
- 7:30am – Breakfast
- 8:15am – Transfer to Sodwana Bay
- 2:15pm – Check-in & Lunch
- Enjoy the afternoon in your lodge or walking on the beatifull Sodwana beach
- Dinner at your own time
- Overnight in Sodwana Bay Lodge.
DAY 3 - 2 dives Sodwana Bay
- 7:00 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Dive
- 11:00 am – Dive
- 1:00 pm – Lunch
- Afternoon Free
- Dinner at your on time
- Extra Tour: Turtle Tour, Night Dive
- Overnight in Sodwana Bay Lodge
DAY 4 - 2 dives Sodwana Bay
- 7:30am – Breakfast
- 9:00am – Dive Sodwana Day
- 11:00am – Dive
- 1:00pm – Lunch
- 2:00pm- Check-out and transfer to St. Lucia
- Dinner of own choice
- Optional Night Safari
- Overnight in Ecolodge St Lucia
DAY 5 - Full day Safari
- 5:00am – Climb aboard an open jeep for a full-day Safari
- Breakfast and lunch during the Safari
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- After dinner you can choose to relax or go on a 4hour Night Safari
DAY 6 - Hippo Boat Trip
- 8:00am – Breakfast
- 9:00am- Hippo Boat Trip
- 12:00am- Lunch
- 1:00pm- 3 hour transfer to Umkomaas
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- Overnight in Buddy Scuba Lodge
DAY 7 - 2 Dives Aliwal Shoal
Time to Get Wet Diving
- 6am – Breakfast
- 8am – 2 Dives Aliwal Shoal
- 1pm – Lunch
- In the afternoon you can choose to chill out or book one of our extra activities
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- Overnight in Buddy Scuba Lodge
DAY 8 - 2 Dives Aliwal Shoal
Time to Get Wet Diving!
- 6am – Breakfast
- 8am – 2 Dives Aliwal Shoal
- 1pm – Lunch
- Transfer Shelly Beach
- 6:00pm – Dinner
- Overnight in Shelly Beach
DAY 9- full day Oribe Gorge Tour
- 8:00 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Wild 5 Extra activities: Gorge swing or Abseil
- 12:00 am – Lunch at Leopard Rock
- 2:00 pm – Lake Eland Game Drive Extra Activities: 4,5km Zipline, Extreme Zipline.
- 6:30 pm – Dinner
- Overnight in Shelly Beach
DAY 10 - 2 Dives Protea Banks
Time to Get Wet Diving!
- 6am – Breakfast
- 8am – 2 Dives Protea Banks
- 2pm – Lunch
- In the afternoon you can choose to chill out or book one of our extra activities.
- 6:00pm – Dinner
DAY 11 - 2 Dives Protea Banks
Time to Get Wet Diving!
- 6am – Breakfast
- 8am- 2 Dives Protea Banks
- 2pm – Lunch
- Transfer to Underberg
- Dinner included at the time of own choice
- Overnight in Sani Pass Lodge
DAY 12 - Suni Pass
- 7:00 am- Breakfast
- 9:00 am: Suni Pass Tour
- 12:00 am- Lunch at the Highest pub in Africa
- 4:00 pm- Back to lodge
- Dinner your time choice
- Overnight Suni Pass Lodge
Day 13 - full Day at Sani Pass Lodge
Time to slow down and enjoy the peace of the mountains!
- Extra activities Hiking to cave to visit Bushman rock paint site, River Tubing, Horse Riding
- Lunch at Underberg
- Dinner included at the time of own choice
- Overnight in Sani Pass Lodge
Day 14 - Scenic Drive back to Durban
- 8:00am – Breakfast
- 10:00am – Scenic Drive on the foothill of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park
- 14:00pm – Lunch
- 17:00 pm – Check-in Durban Hotel
- 8:00pm – Farwell Dinner
- Overnight Durban
Day 15 - Time for your sad farewell
- 7am – Breakfast
- 8am – 4pm- You can be dropped at the airport any time of the day according to your flight time.
We are sure you will have a big smile on your face and good memories, and will be missing South Africa already!
DATES
- 11 May 2025 to 25 May 2025
- 5 August 2025 to 19 August 2025
- 5 October 2025 to 19 October 2025
- 1 December 2025 to 15 December 2025