Ragged-Tooth sharks are rather docile and very easy to approach, during our winter months they arrive in great numbers. The 2004 season was spectacular with literally hundreds of raggies covering the reef.

Protea Banks is suited to advanced divers who are looking for the big animals! If you have had your full of reef fish, this dive site is for you... It has gained a reputation as one of the world's top shark dives with Zambezi (Bull Shark), Tiger, Hammerhead, Blacktip, Ragged-Tooth, Bronze Whaler and if you are lucky the Great White.

As the founder dive operator on Protea Banks with an impeccable & unsurpassed safety record, you will be assured of the highest professional service. In addition our groups are kept small as sharks are essentially shy animals and diving in large numbers limits the chance of a sighting.

African Odyssea is the only fully established dive centre on Protea Banks offering diving, accommodation, gear hire, Nitrox and speciality courses. The company is run by Trevor Krull and Grant Smith. Trevor started the first dive operation( African Dive Adventures) on Protea Banks in 1994 which he subsequently sold in the year 2000. Trevor has been leading dives on Protea Banks for 10 years and his knowledge and experience of the reef is second to none.

African Odyssea is committed to service and we will do our utmost to give you a fantastic dive. If for any reason you believe our service was not up to scratch we will gladly refund you the cost of your dive.

Safety:

Protea Banks is not an easy dive site. It is deep has strong currents and being 7km's out to sea extra care and attention has to be taken. We keep our groups small and manageable and safety is our top priority.

Experience:

The nature and topography of the reef means that careful navigation and precision drops by the skipper are vital to get the most out of your dive. We have permanent experienced staff who's knowledge of the reef will ensure you get the best chance of a shark sighting.

Service:

When diving with us you are not just another number on the boat, personal service is high on our agenda. We will endeavour to make your diving experience as enjoyable as possible.

• We have a 100% safety record.
• We pioneered diving on Protea Banks in 1994.
• We have logged over 3000 dives on Protea Banks.
• We assure precision navigation of the reef.
• We have up-market accommodation for 10 guests in our Lodge.
• Kit up at our fully equipped dive centre.

Protea Banks dive sites

Protea Banks is a reef system located 7.5 kilometres off Shelly Beach on the east coast of South Africa. The reef itself is an old fossilised sand dune and has two distinct areas on which we dive. The northern pinnacles has beautiful topography and starts at 33 meters. The Southern pinnacles ranges from 28 to 40 meters. The total diveable area is about 3 kilometres.

Northern Pinnacles

This is an ideal area for Nitrox diving & has magnificent topography with lots of reef fish, including huge Potato Bass. It has 2 large cave systems that attract many Ragged-tooth sharks during mating season. As spring goes into summer, large shoals of Scalloped Hammerheads frequent the inshore ledge, making it a stunning dive. The best months to dive here are June to November.

1993 - First divers " braved" the waters of Protea Banks
Trevor Krull and Mike Fraser began diving on Protea Banks in 1993 and were referred to by the fisherman as being suicidal due the large number of resident sharks on the reef.

According to Trevor and Mike is was not uncommon to see at least 20 Zambezi's upon descent to the reef.

1994 - Trevor opened African Dive Adventures
This was the first dive operation in the area and had small dedicated group of clientele. Most of the diving population where not very convinced of the safety aspects of diving with large numbers of sharks. On those first few pioneering dives each diver carried a stick of his choice, whether it be a pool cue or the like, just to give the very inquisitive Zambezi's a little prod if they came too close.

1994 - 2000 African Dive Adventures grew from strength to strength
Slowly but surely divers and the world began to conquer the JAWS syndrome and diving with sharks became a privilege and wonderful experience to enjoy.

2000 - Trevor sold African Dive Adventures
After running this successful business with a 100% safety record for 6 years Trevor sold to Roland Mauz and moved to Mozambique to explore new business opportunities.

Trevor had a 3 year restraint of trade on Protea Banks during which time he ran a successful operation at Tofo in Mozambique.

Dec 2003 African Odyssea sets up a Dive Centre at Protea
African Odyssea began operating under the supervision of Trevor Krull and still maintains the only 100% safety record on Protea Banks.

2004 - Protea is internationally recognized
Protea Banks has since become recognized as one of the worlds premier shark dives. It is not uncommon to see up to four different shark species on a dive. Sadly we do not experience the thrill of descending on 20 Zambezi's anymore. The shark populations have been decimated by foreign trawlers and local sport fishing charters. Nonetheless it is still an amazing dive site that will alter your outlook on sharks forever!