SCUBA ADDICTS SHARK DIVING

Scuba Addicts are a year-round dive operator specialising in shark diving in South Africa & Mozambique. Their dive packages which have been designed to ensure you experience the best diving South Africa & Mozambique have to offer. They own a beach front dive lodge which is situated over-looking the Indian Ocean, 50kms south of Durban in the small diving town of Umkomaas. The area boasts miles of sandy beaches and the Aliwal Shoal, rated as one of the top shark diving destinations in the world! 

Join Scuba Addicts and dive with Sharks on the reefs between the Aliwal Shoal & Protea Banks near Durban. Scuba Addicts has a fantastic set weekly program as well as now offering daily dives. One thing on many divers to-do list is the Sardine Run at Port St. Johns in South Africa. They are specialists in this and offer a fantastic week's package to join them hunting down sardine bait balls to dive with and photograph the Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, Birds and anything else that can get hold of the sardines

They are the Pioneers of Shark Week South Africa, which is a specially designed program for Divers to make the most of the diving at The Aliwal Shoal. 

Information on diving with the Sharks of The Aliwal Shoal

 

Tiger Sharks 

 

Our Tiger Shark dive will rate as one of the top-5 dives you will ever do. The dive takes place on the southern end of the Aliwal Shoal. We create an odour corridor to attract the sharks. Before we enter the water, we will give a full briefing to help you to understand their behaviour and how we behave in return. Tiger Sharks are very shy, they are very inquisitive and intelligent animals which is why they are one of the ocean's apex predators and deserve the highest respect. Once the sharks arrive we enter the water to observe the sharks in their natural enviroment. 

 

Over many years of diving with Tiger Sharks, we have experienced many behaviour patterns and this knowledge enables us to experience up close encounters with these fantasic creatures. We generally have between two and six [but can be as many as nine or more] Tiger Sharks as well as Blacktip Sharks, Dusky Sharks and on occasion other species of sharks. 

 

 

Oceanic Blacktip Sharks 

 

We dive with the Oceanic Blacktip Sharks all year. Dives take place on the reefs south of the Aliwal Shoal. We generally drop on a reef and use various [baitless] methods to attract the Blacktips. Once the sharks turn-up we leave the bottom and drift in mid-water with the sharks. 

 

Ragged Tooth Sharks 

 

Ragged Tooth Sharks are generally around between April and November although over the past 3-years they have been on the Aliwal Shoal all year. Known locally as Raggies, they can grow up to about 3.5-meters, the average size is about 2-meters. Their diet consists mainly of large and small bony fish, small sharks, rays, squid and crustaceans. Their teeth are large and arranged in three rows on each side of the upper jaw midline. The teeth themselves have long smooth, narrow-edged cusps with one or two small lateral denticles. 

 

 

Bull Sharks [known locally as Zambezi Sharks] 

 

Diving with the Bull Sharks takes place mainly on the reefs south of the Aliwal Shoal. The shark are also often seen during our Tiger Shark dive and when we dive the wrecks at Aliwal Shoal. 

 

The Bull Shark is known locally as a Zambezi Shark, the shark has a short shovel shape snout. The belly is off-white, its top surface is gray, and the eyes are small. The first dorsal fin is much longer and more pointed than the second dorsal fin. The teeth of a Bull [Zambezi] Shark are triangular, serrated, and very sharp. Adult Male Bull [Zambezi] Sharks average about 2.1-meters & weigh about 90kg Adult Females Bull [Zambezi] Sharks average about 3.5-meters & weigh about 230kg. 

 

 

Hammerhead Sharks 

 

Our dives with the Hammerhead Sharks take place on the reefs on the outside edges of the Aliwal Shoal. The dives are mid-water drifts and while we do have sightings of Hammerheads during most the year, our best time is during our summer months. 

 

 

Dusky Sharks 

 

Dusky Sharks are around during our winter months, generally May to October. The sharks are great to dive with and they behave very similar to the Blacktip Sharks. We use various techniques to attract the Dusky Sharks and they are also often seen during the Tiger Shark dive. 

 

 

Guitar Sharks 

 

The Guitar Sharks are found on the sandy patches on the north and south of the Aliwal Shoal and mainly during our summer months. The are generally very calm and you can get up close and personal and this allows for some great viewing and photos.

7 Day Shark Week Durban

• Guaranteed Sharks ! - Due to their experience and local knowledge they are the only local dive operator to offer a Shark Guarantee. Basically if you do not see sharks during your week then your diving is FREE! 

• No student divers! They are the only local dive operator that doesn't offer any dive courses, so your dives & dive sites won't be restricted by student divers. (Minimum Advanced with 25 dives)

• On-site Dive Center! The Lodge has it's own dive centre and you will leave straight from the lodge with the boat kitted up and return back to the lodge without any hassles. Just wake-up, grab a light breakfast (Included) and go shark diving!

About Shark Week Durban

13-day 'Shark Diving Adventure'

 

A Typical day on the trip 

 

 

Early Morning Rise, Kit-up and dive briefing. 

 

Meet for breakfast at around 7am. The dive centre is on-site and once breakfast is finished, you will move down to the kit-up area to get ready for the days diving. The dive team is there to help you with your gear, load the boat and to brief you on the boat launching and days diving. 

 

Jump on the vehicles and then it is off to the launch site where you will experience an exciting surf launch on an 8m RIB. The diving is planned around the best sites for the conditions each day, get up close with the different types of sharks as well as the rest of the marine-life found on our coastline. 

 

All dives are for advanced divers and the depth varies from around 15 to 35 meters depending on the dive sites. While the main focus is to dive with the many species of shark including Tiger Sharks, Ragged Tooth Sharks, Oceanic Blacktip Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Guitar Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks, Bull [known locally as Zambezi] Sharks, you should also see a huge variety of other marine life including Whales, Dolphin, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Turtles, Moray Eels as well as the rest of the animals that make these reefs their homes. 

 

Generally divers will do 2 dives a day but more can be arranged if the conditions are suitable. Water temperature is generally between 20C - 24C in winter & 24C - 26C in summer. 

 

 

After the diving

 

After the diving we head on back to the dive centre where there are hot showers, rinse tanks for the gear and lock-up drying rooms where you can store your gear ready for the next day. 

 

 

Rest of the day 

 

In the afternoon, enjoy lunch at the lodge or one of the local restaurants and then you can choose to relax by the pool, chat to the dive guides to learn more about what you’ve seen on the dive, download photos & video footage or even enjoy a massage! Local excursions to some of the local attractions can also be arranged. 

 

 

The evening 

 

In the evening the group enjoy dinner at a restaurant. The evening finishes at the lodge, if you are not completely tired by your days diving and sight seeing, then you can have a drink at the bar, watch TV [Satellite]. After all this you retire to your bedroom with en-suite facilities to enjoy a relaxing nights sleep, ready for the next days shark diving.

 

 

Accommodation 

 

 

The first 5-nights of the package is spent at ScubaAddicts Lodge in Umkomaas, South Africa before we head north to Ponta do Oura in Mozambique, our home for the next 5-nights. On day-11 we transfer back into South Africa to St. Lucia, to enjoy the Hippo & Croc sunset cruise and ensure you are close to Durban airport for the transfers. Below is some info on the accommodation. 

 

 

ScubaAddicts Dive Lodge, Umkomaas, South Africa 

 

  

 

The Lodge is situated in Umkomaas (30 minutes south of Durban). There are 8 upmarket bedrooms, 2 swimming pools, B.B.Q area (known locally as a braai), Kitchen facilities, Tea and Coffee, Television, Laundry Service & Internet Access. The lodge is situated on the beach, overlooking the ocean. We have access to miles of sandy beaches. Whales and Dolphin often pass close by infront of the lodge. 

 

All rooms have 100% ocean views and are available as single rooms [king size bed], twin rooms [2 x single beds] or double rooms [king size bed]. All rooms have en-suite bathroom [with showers] & Private Balconies. Rooms are serviced daily. 

 

 

Accommodation, Ponta do Oura, Mozambique 

 

 

The lodge is situated in the middle of Ponta do Oura and overlooks the ocean. There are many bars and restaurants within a few minutes walk of the lodge and the miles of sandy beach is about a 3-minute walk away. 

 

All rooms are available as single rooms, twin rooms or double rooms which all have en-suite bathrooms [with showers]. Each morning breakfast is served on a deck over-looking the ocean. In the afternoons, there are some fantastic walks to some of the view points and beach bars & restaurants if you prefer to relax. 

 

Ponta do Oura offers limited facilities but is the perfect location for a beach get-away with the added bonus of having some fantastic reefs for shark diving. Rooms are serviced daily. 

 

 

Accommodation, St. Lucia, South Africa 

 

 

Lodge Afrika is situated in the middle of St. Lucia and just a few minutes walk from the river where we launch for the afternoon river cruise to view the Hippos & Crocoldiles. 

 

The lodge has 8-upmarket traditional style thatched Rondavels Set in a tropical garden. All rooms are available as single rooms, twin rooms or double rooms which all have en-suite bathrooms with showers. 

 

In the morning breakfast is served on a deck over-looking the pool. In the afternoons, there are some fantastic walks to some of the view points, beach bars & restaurants or if you prefer to relax, the lodge also has a lovely pool. 

 

Rooms are serviced daily

 

 

Itinerary

 

 

Day 1 : Arrive Durban & Transfer to Scuba Addicts Lodge 

 

We will meet you at Durban International Airport or other pick-up points as required. You can arrive at anytime during the day. You will be transferred [+/- 50mins] to our lodge, where you will meet the team and can spend the day relaxing. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the lodge or at one of the local restaurants. Overnight ScubaAddicts Lodge. 

 

 

Day 2 to 6 : 5-days (9-dives) of Shark Diving (2 x Shark Dives per day + 1 baited Tiger Shark Dive) 

 

Our shark diving takes place on the reefs between the Aliwal Shoal & Protea Banks in South Africa. The reefs are rated as some of the best in the world for shark diving and we aim to show you as many species of shark as possible including Tiger Sharks, Ragged Tooth Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Guitar Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks & Bull Sharks. 

 

We spend four days enjoying two shark dives each day at various different dives sites, then on one of the days when the conditions are best suited, you will experience our Tiger Shark Dive. The dive takes place on the southern end of the Aliwal Shoal. We create an odour corridor to attract the Tiger Sharks and once the sharks arrive we enter the water to observe the sharks in their natural enviroment - a truly amazing experience. 

 

In the afternoons if the conditions allow we offer extra diving or you can relax at the lodge, walk on the beach or visit one of the local attractions. In the evening enjoy dinner at the lodge or at one of the local restaurants. Overnight ScubaAddicts Lodge. 

 

 

Day 7 : Transfer to Ponta do Oura, Mozambique 

 

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before we pack the dive gear and transfer north to Ponta do Oura in Mozambique. The trip takes about 7-hours door-to-door [depending on the border crossing]. Once we arrive at the Mozambique border, the road ends and we use 4 x 4 vehicle across the sand tracks to get to Ponta do Oura, our home for the next 5-nights. Overnight Ponta do Oura, Mozambique. 

 

 

Day 8 to 11 : 4-days (8-dives) of Shark Diving - (2 x Shark Dives per day) 

 

 

The shark diving in Ponta do Oura takes place on a number of reefs which are about 15 to 20 minutes by boat. The diving is very similar to South Africa with the main aim being diving with Bull Sharks & Hammerhead sharks. In the afternoons, if the conditions allow we can do extra diving otherwise there are great walks, bars, restaurants and miles of sandy beaches to spend your afternoon and evening enjoying. Overnight Ponta do Oura, Mozambique. 

 

 

Day 12 : Transfer to St. Lucia - Hippo & Croc River Cruise 

 

 

 

After breakfast we depart Ponta do Oura in Mozambique and travel back into South Africa to the St. Lucia wetlands reserve, a world heritage site. In the afternoon enjoy a 2-hour river cruise exploring the St Lucia Estuary to get up-close & personal with the Hippos, Crocodile, Birdlife & on occasions some of the bigger game before returning to the lodge for dinner and to spend the evening relaxing. Overnight St. Lucia, South Africa. 

 

 

Day 13 : Airport Transfers

 

In the morning enjoy breakfast before being transferred to Durban Airport where we will bid you farewell until the next time.

 

 

Included 

 

• Airport Transfers
• Local Transport
• 12-nights Accommodation
• Breakfast
• 9-days / 17-Dives
• Cylinders & Air-fills
• Weight Belts & Weights
• Diver Permits
• Hippo & Croc River Cruise

 

Not Included

 

 

• Flights & Taxes
• Passports & Visas
• Personal Insurance
• Dive Gear [can be hired]
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Drinks
• Passports & Visas

 

Price

 

 

2011 Package Costs 

 

Diver Package [sharing] : R19,800.00 

 

Diver Package [single room] : R21,780.00 

 

Non-Diver Partner [sharing]: R10,800.00 

 

 

2012 Package Costs 

 

Diver Package [sharing] : R19,800.00 

 

Diver Package [single room] : R21,780.00 

 

Non-Diver Partner [sharing]: R10,800.00 

 

9-day 'Sardine Run' Adventure 

Port St. Johns, South Africa 

 

The Sardine Run takes place along South Africa's Wild Coast, the action is amazing and you are often surrounded by hundreds of dolphin, sharks, diving birds, whales and of course millions of sardines! 

 

  

 

We launch from Port St. Johns and operate north and south depending on where the sardine run action is. We spend most of the day at sea, launching at about 8am and generally we are back by about 3pm. We take lunch with us on the boat returning in the afternoon to relax, enjoy some local activities and prepare for the next days Sardine Run action. 

 

The days are ruled by nature, we follow the action watching as the dolphin work together to seperate the sardines into bait balls. The birds, dolphin, sharks, whales all enjoying a huge feast. The noise of the diving gannets, the speed of the dolphin, the sharks and the whales coming in to join in on the feast is amazing. 

 

You will witness the action from the boat and in the water. We enter the water as many times as possible during the day, sometimes just on snorkel and other times on scuba, it really depends on how fast the action is moving and how comfortable the animals are as sometimes the bubbles from scuba diving just chases the action away. 

 

Whilst all this is going on, the humpback whale migration passes the same area and we are often treated to awesome breaches as hundereds of Humpback Whales travel north. 

 

Join us during June & July for the annual Sardine Run at Port St. Johns in South Africa! Experience the action as we follow the Sardine Run and the predators that turn the Sardine Run migration into a feeding frenzy. Experience the noise of the diving gannets, the speed of the dolphin, sharks, whales, game fish & more all enjoying the feast! 

 

The Sardine Run is one of the world's diving highlights and a must-do for every diver. Each year we transfer our dive center to Cremorne in Port St. Johns for the annual Sardine Run. 

Why Port St. Johns? 

 

Many operators offer Sardine Run packages at the Aliwal Shoal & Protea Banks with the back-up of regular diving when the sardine run doesn't arrive. Whilst this is an easy option, it's not fair, it's not reliable and it's the main reason that people think the Sardine Run in South Africa doesn't happen each year. We operate from Cremorne Estate in Port St Johns to ensure we are in the best location for the annual Sardine Run in South Africa. 

 

 

Included 

 

• Airport Transfers
• Local Transport
• 8-nights Accommodation
• Breakfast
• 7-days Sardine Run diving
• Cylinders & Air-fills
• Weight Belts & Weights
• Diver Permits

 

Excluded

 

 

• Flights & Taxes
• Passports & Visas
• Personal Insurance
• Dive Gear [can be hired]
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Drinks
• Passports & Visas

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1 : Arrive Durban & Transfer to Scuba Addicts Lodge 

 

We will meet you at Durban International Airport or other pick-up points as required. You can arrive at anytime during the day. You will be transferred [+/- 50mins] to ScubaAddicts Lodge, where you will meet the team. In the evening you enjoy dinner at the lodge. Overnight ScubaAddicts Lodge. 

 

 

Day 2 : Transfer to Port St. John & Sardine Run 

 

An early start and we transfer south to Port St. Johns [about 4-hours]. On the way down we receive updates about the Sardine Run movements. When we arrive we launch and spend the rest of the day out at sea enjoying the action and getting up close and personal with almost every species of marine animal including birds, dolphins, game fish, whales and sharks. In the late afternoon we return to shore to check in to our accommodation, situated on the river banks at Port St. Johns. The upmarket lodge overlooks the river and has en-suite facilities. There is a fantastic restaurant and bar to enjoy a meal and some drinks. Overnight Port St. Johns. 

 

 

Day 3 to 7 : Full Day Sardine Run action 

 

Each morning while we have breakfast, we receive updates about the Sardine Run movements. We launch and we spend the day out at sea enjoying the action and getting up close & personal with almost every species of marine animal including birds, dolphins, game fish, whales & sharks. In the late afternoon we return to shore where we can plan a local excursion or you can just relax and enjoy the bar. There are fantastic views and walks. In the evening we enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Overnight Port St. Johns. 

 

 

Day 8 : Full Day Sardine Run action & Transfer to Scuba Addicts Lodge 

 

An early rise for breakfast and we enjoy a final day with the Sardine Run before being we transfer north back to ScubaAddicts Lodge. In the evening you can enjoy dinner at the lodge or at a local restaurants. Overnight ScubaAddicts Lodge. 

 

 

Day 9 : Airport Transfers or Extend your stay 

 

In the morning enjoy breakfast before being transferred to Durban Airport where we will bid you farewell until the next time.

 

 

Sardine Run Accommodation 

 

 

The first night & last night of your Sardine Run package is spent at ScubaAddicts Lodge to ensure we are close to the airport and that we can transfer to & from Cremorne in Port St. Johns during daylight as the roads are not that good and there are many animals which makes it unsafe to drive at night. 

 

 

Scuba Addicts Dive Lodge, Umkomaas, South Africa 

 

 

8 upmarket bedrooms, a swimming pool, B.B.Q. Area [known locally as a braai], Kitchen facilities, Tea and Coffee, Television, Laundry Service & Internet Access.  The lodge is situated on the beach, overlooking the ocean. We have access to miles of sandy beaches. Whales and Dolphin often pass close by in front of the lodge. 

 

All rooms have 100% ocean views and are available as single rooms [king size bed], twin rooms [2 x single beds] or double rooms [king size bed]. All rooms have en-suite bathroom [with showers] & Private Balconies.  Rooms are serviced daily. 

 

 

Cremorne Estate, Port St. Johns, South Africa 

 

 

 

Cremorne Estate is our base and accommodation during the Sardine Run. Situated on the Umzimvubu River the accommodation has fantastic views. The resort has direct access into the the Umzimvubu River and each day we launch the boats in-front of the accommodation so there is no daily travelling to the launch site - just roll out of bed, kit-up and head out to sea to experience the Sardine Run in South Africa. 

 

All rooms overlook the river and are available as single rooms, twin rooms or double rooms which all have en-suite bathroom [with showers] & Private Balconies. Each morning breakfast is served on a deck over-looking the river and in the late afternoon, there are some fantastic walks and view points and the bar if you prefer to relax. 

 

The resort has a swimming pool, B.B.Q. Area, Restaurant, Bar Area, Television, Laundry Service & Internet Access [limited]. 

 

Rooms are serviced daily

 

 

2011 Price

 

Diver Package [sharing] : R21,800.00 

 

Diver Package [single room] : R23,980.00 

 

Non-Diver Partner [sharing]: R13,800.00 

 

 

 

2012 Price

 

 

Diver Package [sharing] : R22,800.00 

 

Diver Package [single room] : R24,800.00 

 

Non-Diver Partner [sharing]: R13,800.00