Chunnel
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 - Chunnel offers some of KwaZulu-Natal's richest wall diving. Water ranges 21-26°C, warmest January, February, March.
The Chunnel, down off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is a site we’ve always enjoyed. It’s got that rare blend of being pretty relaxed while still feeling adventurous. You’re never going to be pushed too deep here, maxing out at about 16m, which is perfect for a longer bottom time, really letting you soak it all in. Our favourite part is definitely the cave itself. It’s more of a swim-through, really, cutting right through the reef. You glide through, and with the light filtering in from both ends, it creates this incredible, almost ethereal glow. Look up, and you’ll often see schools of snapper silhouetted against the sun. Out in the open, the pinnacle is a magnet for life. We’ve seen squadrons of batfish circling, and eagle rays cruising past, their huge wings beating slowly against the blue. It’s a very different feel to the exposed pinnacles further north, much more intimate. The Chunnel offers a fantastic experience for divers who appreciate a good swim-through and a chance to truly observe the smaller reef residents alongside larger visitors like the occasional eagle ray. It’s a relaxed dive, great for photographers looking for interesting light, and suitable for anyone comfortable with a gentle overhead environment.
Nearest Dive Centres to Chunnel
Dive shops near Chunnel
Aliwal Shoal Adventures - Ocean Warriors
Blue Ocean Dive Resort
ScubaXcursion
MISS BEHAVIN’S MERMAIDS
Umhlanga Scuba
Reviews for Chunnel
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Chunnel
Chunnel Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Chunnel, 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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