KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area

    Chunnel

    Best months: Jan–Mar

    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.

    Best timeJan–Mar
    WetsuitA 3mm full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Blue Sharks, Bull Sharks, Eagle Rays and Great White Sharks · 490+ species recorded
    Water21-26°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterWall dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    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.

    Today05:2418:0412h 40m daylightGolden hour 17:32

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    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)

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    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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