Best time to dive Aliwal Shoal
Ragged-tooth sharks gather in the caves (up to ~150 per dive) roughly June–November; tiger sharks arrive with the warm Mozambique current in summer (about November–March, though some say April–May). The Sardine Run passes in June–July.
Peak season: June–February
Overall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov high · Dec high · Jan medium · Feb medium · Mar medium · Apr medium · May medium · Jun medium · Jul medium · Aug medium · Sep medium · Oct medium · Nov medium · Dec medium
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Macro life | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Coral & reef health | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Visibility | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Water temperature | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Weather & sea state | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Operations & access | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Wreck diving | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 10–15 m |
| December 2026 | 23.5 °C (74 °F) | 10–20 m |
| January 2027 | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 10–20 m |
| February 2027 | 25.0 °C (77 °F) | 10–20 m |
| March 2027 | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 10–20 m |
| April 2027 | 23.5 °C (74 °F) | 12–20 m |
| May 2027 | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 12–20 m |
| June 2027 | 21.0 °C (70 °F) | 12–20 m |
| July 2027 | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 10–20 m |
| August 2027 | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 10–20 m |
| September 2027 | 20.5 °C (69 °F) | 10–15 m |
| October 2027 | 21.5 °C (71 °F) | 10–15 m |
| November 2027 | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 10–15 m |
| December 2027 | 23.5 °C (74 °F) | 10–20 m |
Marine life calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ragged-tooth shark | ● | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | ● | |||||
| tiger shark | Peak | Peak | Peak | ● | ● | ● | ● | Peak | ||||
| blacktip shark | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| dolphins | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely. Calendar months, every year.
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Current strength
- 4 / 5
- Luxury level
- 2 / 5
- Typical depth
- 10–27 m
- Max depth of interest
- 30 m
- Dive styles
- Day boat
- Suggested certification
- Advanced Open Water (surf launch, baited dives)
- Nearest airport
- DUR
- Snorkelling
- Limited
- Known for
- ragged-tooth shark, tiger shark, blacktip shark, dolphins
Famous sites: Raggie Cave · Cathedral · Produce wreck · Baited shark dive
Season notes & sources
- Ragged-tooth sharks gather in the caves (up to ~150 per dive) roughly June–November; tiger sharks arrive with the warm Mozambique current in summer (about November–March, though some say April–May). The Sardine Run passes in June–July.