Dive protea banks with Dive in Adventures
Experience the Thrill of Shark Diving on Protea Banks – Unforgettable and Truly One-of-a-Kind!
SHARK DIVING ON PROTEA BANKS IS An EXPERIENCE of a Life Time
Protea Banks is renowned as one of the world’s premier shark diving destinations, and with Dive In Adventures, shark encounters are almost guaranteed on every dive. Our dives rarely go by without an incredible shark sighting.
Get up close and personal with Tiger Sharks, Hammerheads, Blacktip Sharks, Ragged-tooth Sharks, Bull Sharks, and giant Guitar Sharks. You might even spot the rarer Great Whites, Thresher Sharks, Copper Sharks, Dusky Sharks, and Sandbar Sharks.
It’s not just sharks – dolphins are regularly spotted throughout the year, and during migration season, Humpback Whales put on a breathtaking show on the way to the dive site. Every dive offers unforgettable encounters with some of the ocean’s most majestic creatures.
Protea Banks Shark Diving Season
From September to February, KwaZulu-Natal’s waters host one of nature’s most incredible shows – the migration of thousands of Hammerhead Sharks. Imagine descending beneath the surface and being surrounded by a swirling cloud of sleek, silver sharks, their distinctive hammer-shaped heads cutting through the currents in perfect harmony.
The sheer scale and grace of this migration is breathtaking. Sunlight dances through the water as these majestic predators glide past, creating an underwater spectacle you’ll never forget. Guided by local experts, you can safely experience this awe-inspiring phenomenon up close – a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will leave you in awe and craving more.
Ragged-tooth sharks in South Africa undertake one of the most remarkable migrations in the ocean, traveling over 1,000 km each year. During the summer months, they give birth in the colder waters off Cape Town, where the conditions are ideal for their pups to survive. Once the young sharks are born, the adults begin their journey north to the warmer waters of KwaZulu-Natal. Here, along coastal sites with suitable rocky formations and hidden caves—such as Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal—they gather to mate during the cooler months, from May to November.
This incredible migration ensures the continuation of their species and highlights the interconnectedness of South Africa’s diverse marine habitats, offering a rare opportunity for divers to witness these majestic sharks in their natural environment.
The Bull Shark is one of the ocean’s most remarkable predators and the only shark species able to thrive in both saltwater and freshwater environments. In Africa, this incredible shark is often called the Zambezi Shark, named after the mighty Zambezi River, where it has been known to travel up to 100 kilometers inland. Its unique ability to adapt to different waters makes it one of the most versatile and resilient sharks in the world.
At Protea Banks, the Zambezi Shark is not just a visitor—it’s a regular presence. Frequently spotted during our baited dives, it has become a permanent resident of the reef, adding an exciting and unpredictable element to every dive. Observing the Zambezi up close is a rare and thrilling experience, offering divers a glimpse into the power, intelligence, and adaptability of this truly extraordinary species.
From January to June, Protea Banks becomes one of the best places in the world to encounter the majestic Tiger Shark. During these months, divers have the rare opportunity to see this powerful predator in its natural environment.
Although a Tiger Shark may occasionally be spotted on a normal reef dive, the encounters are usually quick and unpredictable. The real highlight of the season is the Baited Shark Dive, which offers the best chance to experience these striped giants up close. Watching a Tiger Shark glide in from the deep blue is an unforgettable moment—one that combines awe, respect, and pure adrenaline.
Another permanent resident of Protea Banks, and almost always present on a baited dive, is the Blacktip Shark. These beautiful sharks are instantly recognizable by the striking black markings on their fins, which contrast against their sleek silver bodies. Blacktips are generally calm and relaxed around divers, but they are also highly alert and can be easily startled.
Despite their caution, Blacktips are also playful and curious by nature. They often circle divers with elegant movements, darting in and out of view with incredible speed and agility. This combination of grace, curiosity, and energy makes every dive with Blacktips a thrilling and memorable experience. For many divers, their presence adds excitement and charm to a dive, making them one of the most captivating shark species to encounter on Protea Banks.