Protea Banks - KwaZulu-Natal

Protea Banks is not a gentle reef dive; it’s an adrenaline shot straight to the heart. This deep reef, a prehistoric fossilised dune, serves as a major hunting ground for large pelagics, especially sharks. We've dropped in here countless times, and the sheer volume of sharks never fails to impress. You're looking at dusky sharks, sometimes in their hundreds, gliding through the blue, often accompanied by big tiger sharks making lazy passes. Bull sharks are a regular feature, powerful and curious. The depth means these are typically no-decompression dives, often drifting in a strong current. This isn't for the faint of heart, or anyone still working on their buoyancy. You'll spend most of the dive looking out into the blue, scanning for the next shadow, the next shape emerging from the haze. Our favourite encounters often involve a slow-moving tiger shark, unbothered by our presence, giving us a good long look. Timing is everything here; the summer months generally bring the best visibility and a wider variety of shark species. Be prepared for a surge and a boat ride that can be choppy; it's all part of the Protea Banks experience.

Location
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-30.780000, 30.450000
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
27-40m
Difficulty
Expert

Marine Protected Area: Protea Banks 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 Protea Banks

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 Protea Banks

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