Aliwal Dive Centre
Aliwal Dive Centre
4.5
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Full view
About
We offer some of the most exciting scuba diving in the World, here on Aliwal Shoal. Dive with Ragged Tooth Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Oceanic Blacktip and Zambesi Sharks. We also see all types of Rays and Turtles on the dives. Dolphins and whales on the surface during season. Enjoy our great South African hospitality at Aliwal Dive Lodge above the dive centre and further your dive education at our PADI 5* Instructor Development Centre. When you choose Aliwal Dive Centre for your South African diving adventure, you can rest assured that our professional and dedicated team will have one aim in mind, to ensure you have a special and memorable time. We are the oldest PADI Centre in Umkomaas and have been here since 1995 - we specialize in shark dives, which includes the shark cage dive - anybody can do it - no experience needed. In June July we do the Sardine Run Ocean Safari on the Wild Coast of South Africa - the greatest shoal on earth. A bucket list item. Come do it!
Umkomaas, South Africa
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Aliwal Dive Centre
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
172 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Kamila
Roudnice nad Labem, Czech Republic1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Solo
Originally I booked two dives with this centre and then I had to extend it for sic dives and four nights staying. It was amazing and great experience for me. The guides know what they are doing and they all have been diving in this area for a long time. I did five reef dives and one baited shark dive. I have seen many oceanic blacktip sharks on the baited dive, on the reef dive we saw many kinds of rays, dolphins, whitetip reef shark, tutles, octopuses and much more. It’s so beautiful here. Staff was amazing and the accommodation was super nice as well. Thank you guys for such a great experience and hopefully I will see you one day again!
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kamilla, thank you for this awesomely great review! We really do appreciate you taking the time to write it. Fantastic!
We are so happy that you enjoyed your time here with us, and to receive any feedback is always welcome. Speaking of welcome - you are always welcome back!! So start planning......
Till then!
Written 10 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris
5 contributions
Jan 2020
The overall experience was just phenomenal. From start to finish, all aspects from the bookings, skippering and the actual diving with the Sharks was honestly world class. I would truly recommend Aliwal Dive Centre to anyone thinking of diving with sharks along the KZN South Coast.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris you are a star! Thank you so much for doing this. See you again we hope! Keep well.
Written 28 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andy H
Norwich, UK31 contributions
Dec 2019
My partner and I stayed 3 nights in the lodge over Christmas and enjoyed 4 reef dives during our stay.
The diving suffered a little from poorish visibility but the dive leaders ensured we dived safely and saw much marine life. Launching and recovering the dive boats is definitely an adrenaline rush you will not want to miss.
The lodge accommodation was good and we were well looked after by the friendly staff during our stay
The diving suffered a little from poorish visibility but the dive leaders ensured we dived safely and saw much marine life. Launching and recovering the dive boats is definitely an adrenaline rush you will not want to miss.
The lodge accommodation was good and we were well looked after by the friendly staff during our stay
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Andy! Yes the diving conditions weren't the greatest but that is Mother Nature for you.
You are a superstar for making the effort to write this awesome review. Thank you so much!! You guys are always welcome back! Keep well.
Written 20 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wendy S
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Couples
Our boat couldn’t go to the dive site because of the sea conditions (too wavy) , but there was 2 boats at the same time and the other one was able to go.
We re booked for the next day but unfortunately we were sick during the night so we had to cancel, and they did not want to refund us. We suggest them to postpone our dive again but they did not want.
I don’t recommend you this company, they just want your money and don’t take in consideration the clients.
We re booked for the next day but unfortunately we were sick during the night so we had to cancel, and they did not want to refund us. We suggest them to postpone our dive again but they did not want.
I don’t recommend you this company, they just want your money and don’t take in consideration the clients.
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin Schmidt
2 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
My girlfriend and I had an absolutely amazing time with these guys.
Coby and Jacques are great dive leaders. Really took great care of us and made sure we saw a lot. They pointed out small things (nudis, flatworms etc) and made sure we saw as many turtles, morays, raggies, whitetips, blacktips, bottlenose dolphins, and even managed to capture two humpbacks on scuba- a rare treat indeed. Hats off to the whole crew, Keith Roussouw and Basie are great skippers and all the staff worked very hard to make sure we were well taken care of.
Coby and Jacques are great dive leaders. Really took great care of us and made sure we saw a lot. They pointed out small things (nudis, flatworms etc) and made sure we saw as many turtles, morays, raggies, whitetips, blacktips, bottlenose dolphins, and even managed to capture two humpbacks on scuba- a rare treat indeed. Hats off to the whole crew, Keith Roussouw and Basie are great skippers and all the staff worked very hard to make sure we were well taken care of.
Written 26 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Kevin for this awesome review... yip you had all the sightings..especially the Humpbacks... but that is nature for you..throws a surprise at you unexpectedly. Glad you had a great time with us and see you again soon we hope.
Written 30 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Saadia E
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I wouldn't suggest beginner divers go there. The diving instructors are not patient. They are not punctual then rush through the course, not allowing you enough time to really get comfortable and confident. It was a waste of our money and time.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
We have looked through our records and we cannot seem to confirm that you did in fact dive with us.
We are of the opinion that you may have confused us with a different company with a similar name -we are Aliwal Dive Centre not Aliwal Shoal Scuba. This has happened several times in the past.
Please email us at dive@aliwalshoal.co.za so we can clear this possible confusion up. If you do realize that you reviewed the wrong company, please be so kind as to remove/delete this review from our page, as it would be unfair towards us.
Once again, we are Aliwal Dive Centre and we would like to clear this up..
Written 9 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris
5 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
Just completed the Scuba Open Water Dive and what an experience!! The level of professionalism and the way the team made us feel at home was exceptional. I can't recommend Aliwal Dive Centre enough. They really are a cut above the rest. The Manta Ray fly by was the cherry on top.
Written 12 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well done on becoming a qualified diver..now the world awaits.. but come back here first! 😁Thanks for the great review!!
Written 30 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leon M
8 contributions
Mar 2022
Great instructors, equipment gets checked by staff, max 2-3 persons per dive guard. Visibility was checked daily, same as currents, to determine best dive side. Also formiddable lunch/late breakfast for when you come back ashore. Lovely place
Written 22 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very happy to hear you had a great time - we always appreciate when our customers take the time to do a review. Thank you!
Written 15 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Matthew N
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Our shark dive was canceled because of high winds. We knew this was a possibility, but they gave us a full refund without us even having to ask.
I was impressed. I suspect the trip was POSSIBLE, and a less professional outfit would have put it to sea.... I had a horrible experience and took risks in order to keep the fee.
This team was highly professional and experienced. I was very grateful that they made the simple and calm decision to cancel despite the distance we had come from (JHB for one night due to a hectic holiday schedule!).
We were impressed and wished we had been able to stay longer and take the trip with them.
I will definitely come back when kids are older and maybe spend a few days doing Scuba course with them. You really want professional people doing this kind of thing with family and I was left tin no doubt that they were indeed highly professional.
Thanks guys. See you soon!
Matt, Su and 3 kids -Birmingham UK
I was impressed. I suspect the trip was POSSIBLE, and a less professional outfit would have put it to sea.... I had a horrible experience and took risks in order to keep the fee.
This team was highly professional and experienced. I was very grateful that they made the simple and calm decision to cancel despite the distance we had come from (JHB for one night due to a hectic holiday schedule!).
We were impressed and wished we had been able to stay longer and take the trip with them.
I will definitely come back when kids are older and maybe spend a few days doing Scuba course with them. You really want professional people doing this kind of thing with family and I was left tin no doubt that they were indeed highly professional.
Thanks guys. See you soon!
Matt, Su and 3 kids -Birmingham UK
Written 31 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike D
London, UK38 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
I was extremely fortunate to have booked with these guys. A really great professional crew and helpful support for a solo traveller. Well run baited dives with plenty of sharks despite the Sardine Run. And the reef dives were great with loads of Raggies. The lodge accommodation is clean and fine and well located very close to the beach. I would also recommend the nearby nearby ‘Off the hook’ restaurant too. See my review.
Written 23 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola quiero hacer alguna inmersión con tiburones pero soy Open Water, alguien podría decirme si puedo hacerlo? o de lo contrario que título necesitaía?
Gracias.
Written 14 June 2019
Hi Gorka
Your Open Water qualifications are perfect for the shark dives, it is a shallow dive of 8-10m. Send us your details then we can send all the information through to you.
Kind Regards
Mariaan
Written 16 June 2019
Hola, que inmersiones me recomenarías? solo tengo un día gracias.
Voy en julio
Written 3 June 2019
July is our Raggie season so I would recommend the Raggie Cave and Cathedral, otherwise our Baited shark dive.
Kind Regards
Mariaan
Written 5 June 2019
i will be there on july, i am pai instructor, and i have only one day to dive. ( 2 dives) which dives do you recommend?
Written 2 June 2019
Hi thank you for your query, we have several options you can choose from, we provide both reef and shark dives, you do have an option to do both type of dives on the one day.
Our shark dive is a very popular dive and provides the opportunity to be surrounded by more than 20 Oceanic Black Tips at a time.
Send us your email address and we will send all the information through to you.
Kind Regards
Mariaan
Written 3 June 2019
eduardocallejadelrey
Madrid, Spain
Hola, soy español y no sabemos inglés mi Sra y yo, voy a ir a bucear en septiembre y necesitaremos que nos trasladen desde el aeropuerto y viceversa, ya he visto que sois unas personas muy predispuestas a ayudar en todos los sentidos, desde aquí quiero agradecer vuestro esfuerzo y dedicación. Nos vemos en septiembre, vamos con África aventura. Saludos. Eduardo Calleja, mi tfno 34- 619826126.
Written 15 June 2017
Hi Eduardo,
Thanks for your email regarding diving with us. If you could be so kind as to send us an email to our email address which you will find on our website. Type in Aliwal Dive Centre & Lodge in Google search and that will give your our contact details. We need a bit more detail so I will be able to give you prices and information.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Clare.
Written 17 June 2017
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