South africa diving Umkomaas
Umkomaas dive guide
Umkomaas divingUmkomaas is a small town on the southern coast of KwaZulu-Natal province. Umkomaas' dive sites are famous for having some ship wrecks like the Nebo and the Produce. Umkomaas is also perfect for shark divers who are looking to get close to these magnificent creatures, especially tiger sharks. There are also great chances to watch different species of sharks like Zambezi (bull shark), hammerheads, blacktips, dusky sharks, guitar sharks and ragged tooth sharks depending on the season. Here you may even spot large animals like humpback whales giving birth in the shallower water and using Umkomaas' dive sites as a nursery during the winter months. Always dive according to your level of training. Average Water surface temperature: From 18°C to 28°C (64° F to 82°F). Umkomaas is home to many kinds of marine life that visit its dive sites in specific times of the year. The main attraction here is shark diving, you find them in this area all year round. During the summer months from October to May you may watch Zambezi sharks, known as bull sharks, hammerheads and spinner sharks which feed on the game fish that are numerous during this time of year. Ragged-tooth sharks can be sighted by hundreds during the winter months. The annual sardine run takes place during the months of June and July, by this time of the year you can watch the large Bryde's whales and humpback whales during their migration season. Common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, copper sharks, dusky sharks, blacktips as well as game fish take advantage of the rich source of food. Tiger sharks are present all year long. Umkomaas is known for having two ship wrecks near its coasts; the Produce and the Nebo which can be dived when the current is not too strong. The Nebo is a 2000 ton ship that sank in 1884 as it was carrying a cargo of railway material. The wreck is at a depth of 88 feet (27 meters) and still intact but it lies upside down. This dive site is home to numerous aqua life including ragged-tooth sharks, Zambezis, tiger sharks and hammerheads as well as dolphins, turtles and whales. The Produce sank in 1974, it"s lying in a depth of 104 feet (32 meters). The wreck is now populated with various marine life such as large moray eels, brindle bass, king fish and salmon as well as many kinds of tropical fish. There are many more other dive sites located near Umkomaas shore, like the Raggies Cave, named after the ragged-tooth sharks which spend the winter months here. The site is at a depth ranging from 39 to 62 feet (12 to 19 meters). Close to the cave there are some overhangs which provide housing for potato bass and moray eels. |
