Spots in KZN

[Jager_SA]

I've noticed a lot of CPT spearo's on DB, and the Durbanites seem to be outnumbered. So maybe the best tactic is try and draw you guys in to our Coast! I've spent a while compiling as much information from the net, books and personal knowledge to "entice" other SA spearo's to the beauty and plenty of the KZN coast! Oh and no, I do not work for KZN tourism! ​

:hmm There is a lot to read, and I'm sorry, but I'm trying to be as comprehensive as possible.​

Sheffield Reef: Depth 9m, two parallel, with varied and plentiful fish and crustacean life; Take Salt Rock turn-off 60km north of Durban. Follow Sheffield Beach signs to car park at end of road. Christmas Bay is straight out from the steps leading down to the beach. Ledges start just behind backline and go out to 15m. The outer ledge is good for cuda during the run (january - april). The inshore ledges are good for snoek from january to july. The reef extends from the point north of the ledges to the Tinley river mouth, about 5km. Lots of patches of reef that can produce some good bags when the water conditions are right for fish. Reef goes out to 18m with some scattered reef further out.

Stud Rock; On the beach road from Durban, turn right towards the sea at the Tongaat/Westbrook intersection. Follow road to three way stop and turn left down to beach car park. Look south on beach and you will see the remains of a wreck. The reef is straight off here starting in 8m and going out to 20m+ and extending northwards. There are some prominent ledges and drop-offs that are good for reef fish. This is also a good reef for cuda in the season.​

Tiffany's Reef: Just north of the Salt Rock hotel is a sanded-up tidal pool. The reef, known as Tiffanys, starts off here and extends northwards and goes out to 18m. The drop off is very good for cuda and kingies during the cuda run(january- april). It also attracts a lot of reef fish and dagga salmon are shot here during the winter. Wahoo are also shot here in november. There is another drop-off further north and slightly inshore that is also good for cuda and reefies. The inshore pinnacles are good for snoek. North of Salt Rock, 200m out, depth 8m, this flat reef with sand gullies is a popular spot for spear fishing, but is not recommended for diving from shore.

Ballito's Big Bream Reef: 500m south of the Thompson's Bay tidal pool, small popular spear fishing spot 50m offshore, 7m deep;

Ballito's Lemon fish Reef: Excellent crayfish spot (make sure you have your license), small, densely populated reef 150m out, depth 4m, access better by boat as beach access is through choppy rock channels.

Zinkwazi has some good diving spots with lots of reef fish. There is a lot of flat reef here so you need to find some structure with some caves. The reefs out in 50foot+ are the most productive. With the Tugela river just kilometers further north this area does not come clean that often but is worth keeping an eye on if you are in the vicinity. The rocks 1.5km further north known as the boiling pots is good for dagga salmon in the season and a lot of
garrick are shot here.​

Blythedale; the best diving conditions are found after a West when the N.E. has blown lightly pushing in clean water. The best months are May, June, when the calm windless days make for settled seas and clean water. From the main bathing beach swim straight out to sea off the beach toilets. The reef starts just before the shark nets and extends out into 20m+. There are some good pinnacles here which can attract a lot of fish.
:koWhoa you still reading? ok sweet rofl​

Jex Estate; Park at Blythedale and walk 2km south to river mouth. Dive on outside of big rock where surf breaks. Good spot for garrick, snoek, bronzies, brusher. Slightly south and out to sea is the start of some good pinnacles. Reef goes out to 20m+ and extends southwards to Grouteville which is the next point south.​

Sea Belle's; Park in the car park at the Seabelle hotel which is reached by taking the La Mercy turn-off straight after the Umdloti river bridge. Follow the road round under the highway and northwards until you reach the hotel. The reefs are slightly south of the hotel off the old launch site. They start in 8m and go out to 20m+. The 15m+ stretch is very good for cuda during the run.​

Umdloti; Take Umdloti turn-off 30km north of Durban. There are 4 main areas here. Rivermouth reef is off the Umdloti river mouth in 18m and is a big pinnacle with deep caves which attracts a lot of reef fish. Chain pool area is off the chain pool where the life guard tower is. It consists of scattered reef starting just outside the chain pool and going out into 20m+. Turning circle reef is off the petrol station in 18m+ and is made up of scattered reef over a large area. There are some good fish ledges here. Inshore on the shark nets there are some pinnacles in 13m that can be worth a look. Selection reef is last. Follow south beach road to `Waterfront` development on the site of the old Selection hotel. The reef is slightly south where the waves break on a large submerged rock that breaks the surface at low tide. On the outside of this there is a large area of scattered reef in 6m that is very good for snoek and garrick.​

Peace Cottage;
Take Umdloti turn-off and go to the end of south beach road. Walk south to next rocky point, approximately 2km. The reef runs at a N.E. angle out to sea from the shore ending in 15m. Further out to sea and northwards there is some 23m reef consisting of low ledges that attracts a lot of fish. There is a resident shoal of sea pike that patrol the 15m reef, all big ones up to 13kg. The inshore reef is good for snoek with the white water area being a good spot for brusher.​

Virginia; Taking the M4 towards Ballito from Durban, after Blue Lagoon, turn into the Virginia area, right at the T junction and your first left along the side of the airport along the beach road. You might want to be quite carefull parking here as some shady people lurk. Unfortunately the water is often dirty, but the sharp drop off makes for an easy entry for a shore dive. Rumour has it that there is a trawler wreck to the North of the beach, and another wreck just infront of the beach. However, I have not seen either (yet!) and these areas are often infested with shore anglers. Be carefull the water is very unpredictable and a strong side wash is common.​

Westbrook; possibly the last and most protected diving area left on the North Coast up until Ballito. Also from the M4 to Ballito, past Casuarina (which is also very interesting for a shore dive behind a curtain of rocks covering the shore - ooh ooh the Back Packers here is so MAD!), right down onto Westbrook beach road. Past the beach there is a private road, with some very nice accomodation, especially at Coombe Lodge. The dive spots range from the main beach in front of the life savers tower, all the way across to the river mouth. Unfortunately the water is often dirty, but the rock formations are intermittent and a drift hunt is often well worth it! Also crays are very proliferous (is that right? rofl ).​

I hope this can help anyone planning to dive in KZN North Coast, or any local divers looking for new spots.​

Thanks to S.A. Spearfishing - speargun South Africa distributors spearfishing equipment, spearguns, freediving
and A South African Spearfishing website for local and overseas divers.
and Freedivers, the spearfishing and freediving shop. Speargun manufacturers.​

NB: I didn't include Aliwal Shoal, no1 reef and other Durban spots as these are commonly known. I also left out the North NORTH Coast, being Zululand, as this post was already getting mega long.​