Protea Banks, South Africa
Also within 20 km of Port Shepstone
- Umtentweni Surf spot · 2 km from Port Shepstone
- Port Shepstone Surf spot · 4.3 km from Port Shepstone
- Port Shepstone Kite spot · 4.5 km from Port Shepstone
- Sunwich Port Surf spot · 5.9 km from Port Shepstone
- Banana Beach Surf spot · 6.2 km from Port Shepstone
- Marina Beach Surf spot · 6.6 km from Port Shepstone
- Oslo Beach Surf spot · 7.1 km from Port Shepstone
- Shelly Beach Surf spot · 12 km from Port Shepstone
About Protea Banks
A pinnacle dive. It goes down to 40 m. You get in from a boat. It suits experienced divers only, 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 22°C in July, 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; in October, about 3. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Port Shepstone.
- What it is Pinnacle.
- How deep Down to 40 m.
- Getting in From a boat.
- Who it suits Suits experienced divers only, 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 10 m. Typical for the time of year, estimated from ten years of NASA satellite water clarity, not a forecast. Clearest in Jan, Feb and Dec (about 15 m).
This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives. Ask a dive centre before you book.
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From Chicago: about 31 h 10 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.
Fly. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to MGH, changing at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
See flights MDW → MGH · Skyscanner from about £800 returnAdGetting there. 40 min from the airport to Protea Banks.
Accommodation.
Stay in Port ShepstoneAd
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 Port Shepstone (ad) on Booking.com →Closest towns to stay in
Port Shepstone 12 min by car · rooms from £40 a night · 24 places to stay
Places to stay in Port Shepstone · 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 Port Shepstone · GetYourGuideAdDive gear hire in Port Shepstone · GetYourGuideAd
Budget 
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Luxury Where it is
Protea Banks on Google Maps · Directions
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One finger scrolls the page; two fingers move the map. Pins are our own positions. Map OpenFreeMap, © OpenMapTiles, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Forecast
Best on Wed 21: Sea 1.5 m. Wind 10 kn gusting 16.
The score for experienced divers, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoor
| Day | Score | Sea | Wind | Gusts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19Oct | 50, good | 1.7 m | 19 kn | 26knboats in |
| Tue 20Oct | 48, good | 2.1 m | 8 kn | 12kn |
| Wed 21Oct | 80, good | 1.5 m | 10 kn | 16kn |
| Thu 22Oct | 66, good | 1.6 m | 10 kn | 14kn |
| Fri 23Oct | 37, fair | 2.3 m | 14 kn | 22kn |
| Sat 24Oct | 56, good | 2.0 m | 16 kn | 23kn |
| Sun 25Oct | 72, good | 1.6 m | 15 kn | 20kn |
| Mon 26Oct | 80, good | 1.2 m | 11 kn | 21kn |
| Tue 27Oct | 80, good | 1.0 m | 11 kn | 15kn |
| Wed 28Oct | 80, good | – | 11 kn | 21kn |
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
- Oct3of 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 Port Shepstone
- Piet Se HutPizza · 1.7 km from the centre
- Zizi's Restaurant0.6 km from the centre
- 3rd Avenue Pub and Restaurant0.7 km from the centre
- The Cellar1.3 km from the centre
- Sayidi Farmstall1.6 km from the centre
- The Fisherman’s Belly1.7 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
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