Msea Hammer - KwaZulu-Natal
Puerto de Abrigo isn’t always on the top of everyone’s Cozumel list, but we think that’s a mistake. This wall dive, right at the marina entrance, is a properly exciting drift. You drop in and immediately feel that current tug. It’s a rush, flying along with the wall on your left shoulder, the deep blue stretching out to your right. We love watching for the smaller stuff tucked into the coral here: Goldspot Gobies perched on sponges, or the subtle patterns of a Textile Blenny peeking from its hole. But the real show often happens mid-water. We’ve had incredible encounters with Caribbean reef squid here, shimmering through the water column, watching us with those intelligent eyes. And when those eagle rays decide to swim against the flow, it’s a powerful display. The site averages around 24 meters visibility, so you get some decent views even when you’re moving fast. Just be ready for the ride; it’s a dive where you let the ocean do the work.
- Location
- KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -30.283000, 30.836100
- Type
- reef
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)
- Canyons (cave)
- Castle (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Msea Hammer
- 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 Msea Hammer
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