Canyons - KwaZulu-Natal
We’ve made the crossing from Maui to Lanai’s First Cathedral more times than we can count, and it never gets old. What makes it special isn’t just the cavern itself, though that’s certainly a draw, it’s the light. Sunlight streams through the cracks in the lava rock ceiling, illuminating the interior in a way that truly feels like stained glass. We love finding a perch inside and just watching the light shift and play, especially around midday for the best effect. Inside, look for the small “altar” rock formation and keep an eye out for slipper lobsters tucked into crevices. The outside walls of the cathedral are often patrolled by schools of yellow tang, and we’ve often spotted green sea turtles gliding by the entrance. It’s a pretty easy dive, maxing out at 20 meters, so it’s a good one for newer divers looking for a mellow cavern experience without strong currents. Just be aware it can get a bit busy with other charters, so try to go early if you can.
- Location
- KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -30.332700, 30.793700
- Type
- cave
Marine Protected Area: Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area
Best Time to Dive in KwaZulu-Natal
The warmest water temperatures in KwaZulu-Natal occur in January, averaging 27.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.0°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.0°C (air: 24.4°C)
- February: 27.0°C (air: 24.6°C)
- March: 27.0°C (air: 24.0°C)
- April: 27.0°C (air: 21.7°C)
- May: 27.0°C (air: 20.1°C)
- June: 27.0°C (air: 18.2°C)
- July: 27.0°C (air: 17.5°C)
- August: 27.0°C (air: 18.2°C)
- September: 27.0°C (air: 19.3°C)
- October: 27.0°C (air: 20.3°C)
- November: 27.0°C (air: 21.8°C)
- December: 27.0°C (air: 23.2°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in KwaZulu-Natal
- Aliwal Shoal - 5-30m (reef)
- Aliwal Shoal (reef)
- Aliwal Shoal (reef)
- Aliwal Shoal (cenote)
- Amanzi Harbour (reef)
- Amanzi Harbour (cenote)
- Amanzi Rock Face (cenote)
- Amanzi Rock Face (wreck)
- Amphitheatre
- Amphitheatre (cenote)
- Birthday Ledges
- Butchers (reef)
- Butchers (reef)
- Castle (reef)
- Cathedral
Nearest Dive Centres to Canyons
- Aliwal Shoal Adventures - Ocean Warriors - ["PADI"]
- Blue Ocean Dive Resort - ["PADI"]
- MISS BEHAVIN’S MERMAIDS
- ScubaXcursion - SSI
- South Coast Diving Co - ["PADI"]
- Umhlanga Scuba - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in KwaZulu-Natal
Home to 495 recorded species including 400 reef fish, 41 sharks & rays, 19 hard corals, 9 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 whales & dolphins, 7 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- Soldier (Cheimerius nufar) - Reef Fish
- African Weakfish (Atractoscion aequidens) - Reef Fish
- Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
- California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) - Reef Fish
- Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
- Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis) - Reef Fish
- Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) - Reef Fish
- Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
- Oriental Bonito (Sarda orientalis) - Reef Fish
- Prodigal Son (Rachycentron canadum) - Reef Fish
- Talang queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus) - Reef Fish
- Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) - Sharks & Rays
- Dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus) - Sharks & Rays
- Mozambique mouth-breeder (Oreochromis mossambicus) - Reef Fish
- Elf (Pomatomus saltatrix) - Reef Fish
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- Bass (Polyprion americanus) - Reef Fish
- Blue And Yellow Grouper (Epinephelus flavocaeruleus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Canyons
Based on average water temperature of 27.0°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories