Umkomass is a little peaceful village situated about 45kms South of Durban. The name comes from the Mhkomanzi river, so called by the Zulu chief, Shaka, where it is said he would watch the COw Whales give birth to calves in the Mkhomanzi RIver (Place of Cow Whales).
Aliwal Shoal was named after the sinking of the three masted vessel, known as the ALIWAL and captained by James Anderson in 1849.
The Aliwal shoal is recognized as one of the best dive sites around the world, and the main attraction, the Ragged Tooth Shark. These fierce looking, but amiable sharks have made the shoal their home during the SOuth African winter months, and it is common to dive among packs of 20 to 25 raggies at a time during this season.
However, Aliwal is not just about the Raggies. It is also home to dolphin, whales, Manta rays and a wide variety of hard and soft corals, and all the reef fish tht go with this type of environment.
Over and above the reef, there is also two wrecks in the vacinity. The MV Produce and the Nebo. For more information on these and the individual dive sites of the reef browse through the sections under the Aliwal Shoal Dive sites in this section.
Tribal Blue regualrly dives at Aliwal, so if you are keen to join us then send us an email and we'll let you know when we're off there again.
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