North Sands - KwaZulu-Natal

Reotahi Bay, a shore dive, often gets overlooked for the Poor Knights' flashier sites, but we think that's a mistake. It’s shallow, maxing out at 9m, and the visibility averages 4m, so it’s not about grand vistas. Instead, this is a dive where you need to slow right down, move inches at a time, and really look. We love drifting over the seagrass beds, scanning for pipefish and seahorses – they’re masters of disguise, so patience pays off. You'll often find bubble snails here too, their delicate shells a perfect counterpoint to the rough oysters clinging to the boulders nearby. The main draw for us is the collection of old mooring blocks scattered on the sand. These aren't just rubble; they’ve become miniature ecosystems, magnets for blennies and triplefins like the Spotted Robust Triplefin, darting in and out of the nooks. You might even spot a snake eel poking its head from the sand. It’s a completely different vibe from the offshore pinnacles, quieter, more intimate. We'd suggest this site for macro enthusiasts or newer divers wanting to practice buoyancy in a calm, interesting environment.

Location
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-30.259400, 30.827600

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 North Sands

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 North Sands

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