THE FACTS

Protea Banks is a unique reef system along the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast which offers diving experiences second to none. The pelagic life is the main attraction with schools of yellow tail, kingfish, tuna and barracuda attracting a variety of top predators. The reef is especially known for it’s large “Zambezi ”(Bull Shark) populations and has been rated as one of the world’s top shark dives.

Diving on Protea Banks was started in the early 90’s. Diving with sharks wasn’t on many people’s agenda with the Jaws syndrome still deeply ingrained in much of the diving community. But after a few years things began to change and divers began to realize that these misunderstood creatures were not actually man-eating beasts but actually very intelligent animals who were an absolute privilege to dive with.

In the past 4 years there have been numerous safely incidents on Protea Banks resulting in 3 deaths and 2 helicopter rescues. These incidents have rippled through the diving community and as a result Protea Banks has gained a reputation as being a potentially dangerous dive site.

Another opinion that seems to be held by the boarder diving community is that Protea Banks is a technical dive. When diving Protea you level off at about 20 – 25 meters and drift along in predominately moderate currents viewing the animals as you go. There is nothing technical to it.

Protea Banks is by no means a novice dive site, however if the operator with whom you dive has the necessary experience and knowledge of the sea conditions and the reef, it’s just as safe as diving on Aliwal Shoal. If you have an advanced diving qualification or have done 20 sea dives you are more than capable of diving on Protea but you need to know which dive operastor to trust - trust us.

> 8km (5 miles) out to sea from Shelly Beach
> Rated as one of the top shark dive sites in the world
> Depth of the reef varies from 8m (25ft) to  in excess of
  40m (130ft)
> There is often a 4 or 5 knot current
> Free-dive with sharks - Ragged Tooth, Great Whites,
  Zambezis, Hammerheads, Tiger, Copper, Thresher
  and Dusky sharks
> For experienced divers only.

BEST TIMES

Please note that dives on Protea are restricted to advanced divers or open water one divers with more than 25 logged dives due to the depth of the dives - in excess of 30 metres - and the strong currents that are usually present on Protea. This is adventure diving at its best and well worth the effort!

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 Problems with this site?  Contact our Webmasters: Celestine Ventures cc • Date of entry: July 1997 • Wednesday, July 28, 2010