South African Shark week – October 2026
South African Shark week - October 2026
South Africa – shark diving for real. South African Shark week October 2026 in Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal is one of the few places in the world where you can dive with large pelagic sharks, in open water and encounter multiple shark species during one dive. It is not diving for everyone, but for those of you who are an experienced diver and want to dive with sharks – then this is really the trip for you!
We visit two different areas during the trip. On Protea Banks There is a chance to see bull sharks (Zambezi shark), tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks and sometimes ragged-tooth sharks. Aliwal Shoal offers dusky sharks, blacktips and large numbers of ragged-tooth sharks! Both locations offer “scented dives” which is carried out without feeding, under strictly controlled conditions.
Your accommodation – You will arrive at a place where diving, accommodation, food and relaxation are all gathered in one area. You will stay in a charming hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean, perfect for unwinding after the day's adventures. There is a restaurant, bar and dive center right next door, making your stay smooth and comfortable.
Every morning, new diving adventures await you with experienced guides and dedicated shark experts. You can choose from full-day trips, shorter dive excursions or even experience the unique Sardine Run – one of the world's most spectacular natural phenomena.
When you're not diving, you can relax at the accommodation, take a walk in the area or just enjoy the surroundings. Everything is designed to make you feel safe, relaxed and inspired throughout your trip.
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Aliwal Shoal, an hour south of Durban, offers diving where you can meet the big ones on nature's terms. Here you can encounter several species of sharks such as oceanic blacktips, oceanic whitetips, tiger sharks and ragged-tooth sharks.
The reef's sandstone formations, caves and overhangs create a perfect backdrop for both shark dives and classic reef dives. There are also wrecks, such as The Produce, with the chance of both pelagic and macro life. Here you won't find the classic coral reefs, but the corals grow directly on the rocks.
During the winter season (June–November), the chances of really nice shark encounters increase, both on reef dives and so-called “scented shark dives” organized without feeding the sharks, only scent and with respect for the animals and their natural behaviors.
Aliwal is less current than its sister reef, Protea Banks, and is suitable for both experienced and intermediate divers looking for something more than tropical relaxation diving – without compromising on safety, ethics or a sense of adventure.
Protea Banks – real close-up diving
This place, just off the east coast of South Africa, is something very special. Not because it is the most beautiful or the easiest, but because it is the real living sea. You dive to be where it really happens – in big blue water, among some of the sea’s most awe-inspiring inhabitants.
During the season you can encounter bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, Oceanic blacktips and Ragged-tooth sharks – sometimes several on the same dive. Everything is done with enormous respect, both for the animals and for you as a diver. The so-called “scented shark dives” are a prime example of how encounters with large predators can be done in a way that is both controlled, ethical and incredibly powerful. No tricks. This way you get close to the big animals on their terms.
The diving can be demanding with strong currents and deep waters – if you are an experienced diver it is an experience you will carry with you for a long time. Because here you are not just a spectator – you are part of and in the middle of the spectacle.
Protea Banks diving isn't for everyone, but for those who crave something that feels "real", it's hard to beat.
Itinerary day by day
Day 1
You leave Scandinavia and fly to South Africa and Durban.
Day 2
You land in Durban and then continue to your resort where there will be dinner and a review of the coming days.
Day 3 – 8
In the coming days we will do two dives a day, four of the days we will dive at Aliwal Shoal and two of the days we will go to Protea banks!
Day 10
On your last day in the area, you check out of your accommodation and then transfer to the airport for your flight back to Scandinavia. For those of you who wish to extend your trip in South Africa or have a stopover on the way home or on the way there, please contact us and we will be happy to help. Please note that this must be done before we issue flight tickets.
please note
Our solid program is only a preliminary plan that is influenced based on the external conditions that the weather gods reward us with. This means that we may have to move activities and dive sites to other days and also replace planned activities with alternatives if required. Your expedition leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your particular trip.
