PRODUCE - KwaZulu-Natal
PRODUCE is one of our favourite Aliwal Shoal wrecks for a good reason. It’s not just a big chunk of metal; it feels like a living, breathing part of the reef now, completely colonised since its sinking in '74. The sheer scale of this tanker is impressive at 170 metres long. You drop down, and it just keeps going, a dark, hulking mass that materialises from the blue. We love heading straight for the bow, often seeing huge potato bass patrolling the rusted plating, their eyes following you. The currents here can be a bit frisky, so we always suggest paying close attention to your guide and dive computer, especially if you plan to penetrate. Inside, it's dark and cavernous, with light shafts piercing through collapsed sections – look for scorpionfish tucked into crevices. This wreck is perfect for experienced divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a current. It’s an adventure.
- Location
- KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -30.248611, 30.826666
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
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 PRODUCE
- 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 PRODUCE
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