KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area

    Raggies Cave

    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 - Raggies Cave offers some of KwaZulu-Natal's richest reef 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
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Raggies Cave isn't a true cave, but more of a massive overhang that creates an incredible, cathedral-like space. We love slipping into the cooler water here in winter and spring, knowing we're about to be surrounded. And by surrounded, we mean *really* surrounded. Picture yourself finning gently along at 12 metres, and then the dark shapes start to materialise out of the blue, gliding by, silent and utterly captivating. These aren't your typical reef sharks; these are the ragged-tooth sharks, or sand tigers, with their snaggletooth grins and surprisingly docile demeanour. They congregate here by the dozens during their breeding season, often just hovering, seemingly oblivious to our presence. Sometimes they’re so thick you have to pause, letting them part around you. Beyond the main event, the usual Indian Ocean suspects are all here – we've spotted everything from the goofy New Guinean anglerfish to curious lyretail angelfish darting among the cracks. Keep an eye out for potato bass lurking in the deeper shadows too; they’re enormous. Visibility can be a bit variable, but even on an average 10-metre day, seeing those sharks emerge from the gloom is pure magic. This dive is definitely for those who appreciate a dramatic, high-impact encounter with big animals, and it’s generally an easy drift, suitable for most comfort levels.

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

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Raggies Cave

    Raggies Cave Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Raggies Cave, 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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