KwaZulu-Natal

Ugu District Municipality

South Africa

Situated off the shore of Shelly Beach, Protea Banks is one of the world's top shark diving destinations. This unique reef system with exquisite topography along the KwaZulu-Natal coast offers diving experiences second to none.

Protea Banks
During the summer months the Bull Shark (Zambezi) makes PROTEA BANKS its home. Hammerhead sharks are often seen overhead and not just one or two, we are talking hundreds .... yes hundreds. Guitar Sharks, Dusky and Oceanic Blacktip sharks frequent this reef with a select few getting the privilege of seeing the elusive Tiger Shark in the Tiger sharks season.

In the winter months the Ragged-Tooth Sharks congregate on PROTEA BANKS to mate.

Aside from sharks PROTEA BANKS, also boasts a vast number of gamefish such as Barracuda, Snappers, Cape Yellowtail, Kingfish, Tropical Amberjack, Bonita, Prodical Son to name but a few. Friendly Potato Bass are often encountered and sometimes we are privileged to see Brindle Bass. A variety of Rays are also a common sighting - Round Ribbontail Rays, Eagle Rays and occasionally Manta's.

And with pristine reef, the reef is alive with a wide variety of reef fish. These are unfortunately often overlooked as once the sharks are sighted, the reef is often forgotten ...lol.

And then of course with PROTEA BANKS just about anything can happen. We have had rare sightings of Marlin, Sunfish, Humpback Whales, Dolphins, the odd Great White Shark and even a very curious Blue Shark. So if you are looking for adventure and a dive site where just about anything can happen, PROTEA BANKS is the place to be. I have personally been diving PROTEA BANKS for 15 years, and still get excited each and every time I go on a dive!!! and very jealous when I am not on the dive!

PROTEA BANKS - SOUTHERN PINNACLES: Depth 26 to 40m

Dived mainly in the summer months, this site is home to the notorious Bull Shark (Zambezi) which brings a great deal of notoriety to this world-renowned dive location. Other sharks frequenting PROTEA BANKS include Hammerheads, Oceanic Blacktips, Dusky, Guitar Sharks and a variety of Rays. For a fortunate few there is even the possibility of sighting the Tiger Shark.

PROTEA BANKS - NORTHERN PINNACLES: Depth 28 to 38m

This site, normally dived in winter months during the Ragged-Tooth mating season, allows divers to view "Raggies" in close proximity on their annual migration route. The area consists of two cave systems in which the "Raggies" congregate. At times it is impossible to see the mouth of the caves as it is completely obscured by masses of sharks!

Access to Protea Banks is from Shelly Beach - about 100 km South of Durban.PROTEA BANKS offers an exceptionally exciting specialty SHARK dive. Situated 7,5km off Shelly Beach, on the KwaZulu Natal's South Coast, PROTEA BANKS allows ADVANCED divers the opportunity to experience a shark dive that is completely unique.