Cathedral - KwaZulu-Natal

Cathedral, on the Aliwal Shoal, isn’t just a swim-through, it’s a proper experience. We love dropping down into that main chamber, the light shafts punching through the openings in the reef above. It feels vast in there, like a subterranean church. This is definitely for the advanced diver; the depths hit 27m, and there can be a decent current sweeping through the archways, especially if you’re heading deeper towards the back exits. What makes it special for us is the ragged-tooth sharks. From July to November, they congregate, sometimes dozens of them just hanging motionless, their mouths slightly agape. You can hover quietly, watching them circle. Beyond the sharks, we often spot giant trevally patrolling the entrances, and if you’re lucky, a curious common eagle ray might glide past. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, like the Pearlscale Butterflyfish fluttering along the walls. The water often has a greenish hue from the plankton, which the sharks obviously appreciate, but visibility can still push past 20m on a good day. Our insider tip? Go early, before the crowds, and really take your time inside the main cavern. It’s a completely different vibe when it’s just you and a few sharks.

Location
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-30.265000, 30.840000
Type
cave
Maximum Depth
12-27m
Difficulty
Advanced

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Cathedral

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

Recommended Packing List for Cathedral

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