Canyons
Protected Area
Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area
Why dive here
With 490+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue sharks, bull sharks, eagle rays and great white sharks - Canyons offers some of KwaZulu-Natal's richest cave diving. Water ranges 21-26°C, warmest January, February, March.
Canyons, just off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, isn't your average drift. We love it for its dramatic, deeply cut reef system, a series of rocky gullies and overhangs that feel like an underwater labyrinth. Maxing out around 24 metres, it's a dive that rewards careful exploration. You'll find yourself gliding through these channels, eyes peeled for the smaller stuff – Cleaner Mimics darting around and the occasional Ghost pipefish nestled in a cranny. Our favourite spot has to be the large mushroom-shaped rock, often swathed in green coral and absolutely buzzing with sea goldies. It’s a riot of colour and movement, with Flat Needlefish often hanging motionless nearby. Keep an eye out for Blotched Fantail Rays resting on the sandy patches between the canyons, and we’ve spotted shy albatrosses overhead on the surface interval. While the site can have some current, it's generally manageable, making it a cracking dive for those who appreciate intricate reef structures and a slower, more observant pace. It suits divers who enjoy a bit of reef topography and aren't just chasing the big pelagics.
Safety Notes
Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.
Nearest Dive Centres to Canyons
Dive shops near Canyons
MISS BEHAVIN’S MERMAIDS
ScubaXcursion
Aliwal Shoal Adventures - Ocean Warriors
Blue Ocean Dive Resort
Reviews for Canyons
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Canyons
Canyons Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Canyons, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-30.31, 30.76) (42km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
22°C
71°F · Range: 21–22.7°C
Air Temperature
20°C
68°F
Wind Speed
7.64 m/s
14.9 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1017.9 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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