Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
Also within 20 km of Umkomaas
- Green Point Surf spot · 5 km from Umkomaas
- MV Produce Wreck Dive site · 6.4 km from Umkomaas
- Black Rock Surf spot · 7.5 km from Umkomaas
- Raggie Cave Aliwal Dive site · 8.8 km from Umkomaas
- Scottburgh Surf spot · 9.8 km from Umkomaas
- Karridene Illovo Beach Surf spot · 10.1 km from Umkomaas
- Donkey Kong Island Surf spot · 15.4 km from Umkomaas
- Rocky Bay Surf spot · 15.5 km from Umkomaas
About Aliwal Shoal
A reef dive. It goes down to 27 m. You get in from a boat. It suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it. The coast faces SE: swell from the SE reaches it, and wind from the NW blows out to sea. No dive centre within 50 km on the map: book a liveaboard or a boat from further off. The sea is about 21°C in August, its coldest month (5 mm wetsuit), and 27°C in February, its warmest (3 mm wetsuit). For experienced divers the best months are usually January, February, May and June, with about 5 good days in 7. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Umkomaas. Within 5 km we also list 2 dive sites.
- What it is Reef.
- How deep Down to 27 m.
- Getting in From a boat.
- Who it suits Suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it.
- Dive centres No dive centre within 50 km on the map: book a liveaboard or a boat from further off.
Facts: verified.
Dive centres nearby
No dive centre mapped within 50 km.
Dive centres: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Credits
Water about 22°C: 5 mm wetsuit. Typical sea temperature for the time of year, not a forecast.
Visibility about 9 m. Typical for the time of year, estimated from ten years of NASA satellite water clarity, not a forecast. Clearest in Jan, Feb, Sep and Dec (about 10 m).
This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives. Ask a dive centre before you book.
Save this trip A link to come back to, or to send to the group.
Book the trip
From Chicago: about 31 h 05 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.
Fly. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to King Shaka International Airport (DUR), changing at İstanbul Airport (IST).
See flights ORD → DUR · Skyscanner from about £800 returnAdGetting there. 1 h 40 from the airport to Aliwal Shoal.
Accommodation.
Stay in UmkomaasAd
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote.
Room photos are examples, not these hotels (credits).
See all places to stay in Umkomaas (ad) on Booking.com →Closest towns to stay in
Umkomaas 13 min by car · rooms from £40 a night · 20 places to stay
Places to stay in Umkomaas · Booking.com Ad
Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote. Distances are straight lines unless a drive is given: a site out at sea is reached by boat.
Hire and lessons.
Dives and courses in Umkomaas · GetYourGuideAdDive gear hire in Umkomaas · GetYourGuideAd
Budget 
Mid-range 
Luxury Where it is
Aliwal Shoal on Google Maps · Directions
The map needs JavaScript. Every place on it is listed on this page, and each place's page links to Google Maps.
One finger scrolls the page; two fingers move the map. Pins are our own positions. Map OpenFreeMap, © OpenMapTiles, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Forecast
Best on Sun 18: Sea 1.5 m. Wind 6 kn gusting 8.
The score for experienced divers, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoor
| Day | Score | Sea | Wind | Gusts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18Oct | 80, good | 1.5 m | 6 kn | 8kn |
| Mon 19Oct | 39, fair | 1.5 m | 16 kn | 20knboats in |
| Tue 20Oct | 54, good | 2.0 m | 8 kn | 15kn |
| Wed 21Oct | 80, good | 1.4 m | 15 kn | 22kn |
| Thu 22Oct | 76, good | 1.5 m | 13 kn | 17kn |
| Fri 23Oct | 52, good | 2.0 m | 16 kn | 27kn |
| Sat 24Oct | 55, good | 1.9 m | 12 kn | 16kn |
| Sun 25Oct | 76, good | 1.6 m | 0 kn | 25kn |
| Mon 26Oct | 72, good | 1.6 m | 15 kn | 26kn |
| Tue 27Oct | 51, good | 1.9 m | 20 kn | 29kn |
Day scores are the conditions out of 80, from the two best daylight readings: a morning and an afternoon dive. Sea is the open water's waves near the site, in metres. Wind and gusts are in knots (10 kn is about 19 km/h); "boats in" marks gusts that keep dive boats in. This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives.
The season
Good diving days in a typical week, each month, for experienced divers, from 2016 on (ERA5 history scored the same way).
- Jan5of 7
- Feb5of 7
- Mar4of 7
- Apr4of 7
- May5of 7
- Jun5of 7
- Jul4of 7
- Aug4of 7
- Sep4of 7
- Oct4of 7
- Nov4of 7
- Dec5of 7
Typical, not a forecast: the sea and the mean wind of each day, with no gusts or rain in the history.
Rough cost
About £1,110–£2,210 each for 6 nights, 2 people sharing. A guide from typical prices, not a quote. Dives are not priced yet: we have no sourced price for a guided dive, so they are not in it.
- Flights £800–£1,665
- To the UK airport £35–£65
- Hire car £50–£85
- Stay £110–£185
- Food £115–£210
Places to eat near Umkomaas
- Italian Club - UmkomaasItalian · 0.2 km from the centre
- Blue Ocean Restaurant and Bar0.3 km from the centre
- Lunathi RestaurantSeafood · 0.6 km from the centre
- Waves Restaurant0.6 km from the centre
- Enzo Pizzeria Umkomaas0.3 km from the centre
Within 2 km of the town centre, listed by how complete the listing is (website, opening hours, cuisine) and whether two sources name it. Not a judgement of the food: we have no reviews. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps Foundation. Credits
Book the trip
Where to stayAd
Places to stay · Booking.com (ad)Links marked Ad may pay us a small commission if you book. You pay the same price, and it never changes a score.