Dive Durbz

A large wall in the shape of an amphitheatre. The dive is along the inside edge of the wall.

Large school of surgeons, kingies, and grunter can be seen on the sand and plenty of pelagic fish can be seen.

Depth: 30 meters

This site used to be part of the outer anchorage, used by ships of the past. Due to the angular shape of the rocks in the area, large amounts of anchors were lost due to snagging in the rocks. This site has many boulders and rock pinnacles which are wrapped with long pieces of anchor chain. A number of large anchors can still be seen wedged in between huge block formations of this site.

A feeding ground for sharks, so keep a look out.

Depth: 35 meters

The ammunition that is found in this area is from the ammo dump that is off the bluff and where the reef gets its name.

Cracks and crevices in the rock formations and the topography make for an interesting dive.

Some of the rare fish encountered here include Frogfish and Ribbon eels.

Depth: 25-28 meters

The drop is on an old ships anchor, and the chain is followed for the duration of the dive. It is draped over some interesting reef features with numerous caves and over-hangs.

Sightings include Raggies, Frogfish, Potato Bass, Loggerhead turtles and the usual array of reef fish.

Depth: 30 meters

An isolated reef that juts out of the sand. The isolated nature of this reef makes for an intense concentration of pelagic and tropical fish.

There is a cave that is home to Dagga salmon and Baardman.

Not an easy dive due to the strong current.

Look on the sand for rays and paperfish.

Depth: 27 meters

The ledge begins with an 8 meter drop off and opens up into a mini amphitheatre. There is an old Dan forth anchor and a rudder lying here.

There are a number of caves and swim-throughs. On the southern end of the ledge, there is a large pot-hole with a sandy bottom.

Raggies, Scorpionfish, pipefish, razorfish and flapnose houndsharks can be seen here, as well as sightings of great white, loggerhead turtles, orange-spotted rockcod and shoals of grunter 200 strong.

Depth: 30 meters

Named due to the high number of surprises hidden in every nook and cranny. The reef is beautiful and interesting to explore as it has a lot of profile with large over-hangs and ledges, as well as a wide variety of marine life, such as raggy scorpionfish, paperfish, frogfish, moray eels, turtles and nudibranches, to name a few.

Depth: 18 meters

An under-water botanical garden, with plenty of nooks and crannies filled with life.

It’s a good idea to bring a torch on this dive.

Paper fish, frogfish, unicornfish, blue stingray and Natal catfish are some to be seen here.

Depth: 18 meters

The dive starts in front of a big cave which is about 7 meters long. From June to August there is a good possibility of seeing Raggies.

The top of the cave and the rest of the reef is covered with different soft coral and sponges.

As you drift northwards you will come across a smaller cave, which a huge green turtle has made its home. Further along are paperfish and giant angler fish.

As you descend, stop and listen, keep a look out for the resident bottlenose dolphin, as they hunt and play in the area.

Depth: 18 meters

Bikini reef has only recently been discovered. So named because even though small, it hides all the best bits.

It is a dive that will keep you intrigued dive after dive. One of the main attractions is the high number of pineapple fish, 9 found so far in different ledges.

On the sand are blue rays, lesser guitar sharks, loads of nudibranches on the rocks, frogfish, paperfish, lionfish, leopard morays and Spanish dancers, to name a few.

Depth: 22 meters

The area has large concentrations of soft corals, sponges and whip corals.

The topography is relatively flat, but the numerous potholes contain some interesting fish.

Regularly encountered are the Weedy Scorpionfish.

Depth: 22 meters

The cave, a favourite dive site, as it is the most interesting reef to explore.

The interesting subterrean cave system is the remains of the prehistoric shoreline.

Weathered sandstone formations have collapsed to form caves, holes and gullies, which allow one to dive below the seabed.

You are never more that 5 meters away from open water and therefore don’t need a cave dive qualification.

You only need a entry level certification, as the maximum depth is only 12 meters.

This shallow cave system is very well disguised, unless you know where to find the entrance. There are however a number of large blowholes and exit points along the way, so don’t be intimidated by the idea of being ‘stuck underground’.

At an average depth of only 10 meters, you will have plenty of time to explore all the nooks and crannies of the cave system and discover the various

swim-throughs, gullies and exit points.

Near the main entrance of the cave, there are 3 potholes, the biggest of which is home to a pair of bluestripe pipefish, member to the seahorse family. These fish are resident to this pothole, so they will be easy to spot.

Hound sharks can be found hiding in some of the larger chambers of the cave, as well as a colony of Natal catfish and eel catfish.

A torch is a good idea for this dive as well as a pair of gloves.