Africa Dive Expeditions

Aliwal 5th August

Debbie Smith — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:41:36 +0000

Sea conditions excellent, viz 8-10m, water temperature 20 degrees C with a moderate N – S current.

Aliwal 5th August

Debbie Smith — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:40:43 +0000

We had a great double tank dive at Cathedral, where around 15 – 20 raggies were sighted inside Cathedral. Half of which were males and the other half females. 3 humpback whales sighted as well as a large pod of bottlenose dolphins. On the 2nd dive at Raggie Cave, 4 animals were in and about the site, with 1 very large male in particular moving around the outskirts of Raggie Cave and a smaller female inside Raggie Cave itself.

Raggies at Aliwal

Debbie Smith — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:38:35 +0000

It looks like the first few sharks have put in an appearance on Aliwal Shoal with 3 large females at Cathedral and 2 large males inside the cave at Raggie Cave. This is the start of the exciting seasonal arrival of the ragged tooth sharks and we will keep you posted of more arrivals.

Aliwal Shoal 18th May

Debbie Smith — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:36:53 +0000

We have a light north easterly wind today, water temperature at the bottom a chilly 17 degrees with patches of good viz and poor viz. We have thermoclines about as well but in general, great conditions and a superb warm autumn day.

Aliwal Shoal 25th – 27th April

Debbie Smith — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:01:21 +0000

After the huge south westerly, which caused a 2 day of no-launching,we had amazing dives for the rest of the long weekend. A dive to Cathedral gave us a 3.5m scalloped hammerhead shark which was in no hurry to leave the area. This healthy, robust male shark seemed to be interested in the surge and motion of the ocean around the Cathedral area, enough to keep coming back in, using the entire water column to its advantage, almost in an aerial display motion of up and down swooping motions. Fascinating to watch. On a drift up north towards the Pinnacles on the same dive, we encountered 7 bottlenose dolphins underwater, in no apparent hurry at having encountered divers, even though they had 2 young with them, who were extremely playful with their pod all the while. On the tiger dive outing, we had the privilege of 2 tiger sharks, one in particular coming in and out throughout the entire 70 minute dive, giving everyone a spectacular view of her impressive size and attitude of knowing that she is an apex predator. We encountered 2 blacktip sharks on this dive, small numbers in comparison to what is usually around, but nevertheless exciting for all. A dorado was spotted skimming the surface, heading inshore.

Further sightings for the weekend produced plenty of scorpionfish, 1 raggedtooth shark at Raggie Cave, green turtle, plenty of nudibranches and large shoals of fusiliers, mixed with red fang trigger fish, coachman and large numbers of orbicular batfish. Incredible dives took place over this time.

Aliwal Shoal 26th – 28th April

Debbie Smith — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:50:57 +0000

After the launch site was closed on 23rd & 24th April due to a huge south westerly wind, which brought in a massive swell of 5m+, we amazingly experienced superb dive conditions over the long weekend of 25th – 27th April. Viz in excess of 20m, light S – N current, water temperature of 24 degrees C and a launchable ocean with breaks between sets.

Pre long weekend conditions

Debbie Smith — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:44:48 +0000

The south westerly wind that has been blowing for a few days now has turned to a light south easterly. We have great ocean conditions, a calm launch, warm water temperature and very good visibility. This is ahead of the long weekend, starting tomorrow. Happy diving to all.

Great ocean conditions today

Debbie Smith — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:57:24 +0000

We awoke today to a glassy ocean with a light south westerly wind. Viz looks good and the water temperature has again risen to 23 degrees C. Great summer conditions again.

LATEST NEWSLETTER

Debbie Smith — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:30:18 +0000

Microsoft Word – ADE 2010 1

Unsettled ocean conditions

Debbie Smith — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:05:03 +0000

At the moment we have very unsettled dive conditions. The water temperature has decreased to an icy 20 degrees C and the viz has dropped to around 8m. diving is still superb despite this. We are hoping for a south westerly wind to come through tomorrow to bring a shift in the current and bring in warmer water.