Aliwal Shoal is made up of one large reef with many different dive sites. 
Described below are the more popular of the many sites:

Northern Pinnacles

Located on the north-eastern side of the reef, the area forms a spine of mountain-like rock formations with caves, gullies and ledges. The sea facing walls are quite steep but those on the landward side slope more gently down towards North Sands. As they reach within 5m of the sea surface, the pinnacles are responsible for many of the shipping disasters that have occurred over the years. In rough seas waves can break over the pinnacles, becoming a hazard for divers and boats.

Maximum depth is approximately 18m.

Manta Point

Seaward of the pinnacles lies Manta point, known for its popularity amongst manta rays.

Maximum depth is approximately 20m.

North Sands

This large ripple sand patch looks deceptively barren on first impression but in the warmer months you can find magnificent rays of all descriptions. This is also a favourite meeting place for sand sharks or guitarfish, which can be seen congregating here in large numbers through the summer and autumn months.

Most enchanting of all is to lie quietly on the sand and enjoy the sight of completely wild bottlenose dolphins, which sometimes use this large sand patch for rubbing.

North Sands is a good area to do skills for diver training. Take a careful look in the sand for raggie teeth. Also be on the lookout for wary juvenile razor wrasse (which quickly dive into the sand when approached) and juvenile rock mover wrasse, which mimic drifting seaweed. From here it is a short route inshore to the Inside Edge, seaward to the Pinnacles, or down the reef to Ledges and Overhangs.

Maximum depth is approximately 15m.

Ledges & Overhangs

Just down the reef from North Sands is the site known as Ledges & Overhangs. In season, raggies may often be found tucked away under these dark ledges and overhangs. There is a swim-thru that is often occupied by a large potato bass, raggie or round ribbon tail ray resting amongst a large group of slender sweepers. Large tiger cowries can be found sitting on the sponges.

This area is shallow so is best dived in flat seas without surge.

Maximum depth is approximately 12m.

Chunnel

A short distance down the reef from North Sands lies Chunnel, an enchanting dive site that is full of action.

Chunnel Cave has a large front and back opening and forms a protected resting area for raggies. The sharks may be viewed swimming in slow circles within the cave amongst schools of goldies and other tropical fish. The nearby swim-thru should be avoided if there are raggies around. Be aware that round ribbon tail rays may be resting on the sand. Also check the waters above you for mantas, turtles going up for air and game fish.

Maximum depth is approximately 14m.

Raggie Cave

The most famous visitors to Aliwal are without doubt the spotted ragged-tooth sharks, better known by locals as the “raggies”. For many who dive the Shoal the place quite simply means sharks!

Raggie Cave is a large overhang with a swim-thru and is renowned for the ragged-tooth sharks that enjoy residing in this area during winter and spring. A large potato bass is often tucked away under the overhang. In front of the cave lies a large sand patch known as Raggie Sands. This sand patch is a favoured resting place for the raggies and they can at times be seen leisurely circling this area or rubbing themselves in the sand in an intriguing cleaning ritual.

The flat rocks between Raggie Sands and Raggie Cave are covered in an encrusting brown sponge and make for an ideal vantage point, with an excellent view of sharks in the cave.

Out of shark season you can take time to look in the sand for raggie teeth.

Maximum depth is approximately 17m.

Shark Alley

Steep rock-faces form the walls of this gulley leading from the Outside Edge towards Raggie Cave.

This large alcove is another favourite amongst the raggies. Resident potato bass are often hiding under the ledges on the southern wall.

Maximum depth is approximately 20m.

Outside Edge

The Outside Edge is on the seaward or eastern side of the reef and runs from the northern to the southern part of the Shoal.

It includes dive sites such as Cathedral and Shark Alley as well as some unnamed caves, overhangs and blow holes.

It is a good area for viewing ragged-tooth sharks, which generally seem to prefer this section of the reef to the Inside Edge and may be en route to their rest areas at Cathedral or Raggie Cave.

Tiger Angelfish generally prefer depths of 20-35m so this is a good area to look out for them. These striking fish are endemic to Southern Africa. Also to be found in the deeper depths are magnificent branched black corals, often inhabited by hawkfish and whip corals. Look up for game fish, splendid shoals of schooling hammerhead sharks and the occasional tiger shark.

Maximum depth is approximately 27m.

Cathedral

Situated on the Outside Edge of the reef divers can enter through a large archway at the entrance (which rises from 27m up to 18m) into a large craterlike formation, which forms a sizeable “room” approximately 12m wide. One may also enter through the roof of the Cathedral or through the swim-thru slightly to the northern side of the archway.

During season raggies can be seen congregating in numbers upwards of thirty, often mingling quite peacefully with a few stingrays that also enjoy the area. Do not enter into or swim above the crater during raggie season. An excellent vantage point is looking down into the hole from the top edges of the crater.

Interesting smaller species such as paper fish, pineapple fish and bizarre looking frogfish may also be found in or around Cathedral.

Just to the north, along the Outside Edge is False Cathedral – which forms an alcove on the edge of the reef. It is a good area in which to slow down and enjoy the black branched and green tree corals. From here the more popular routes are to head inshore towards South Sands or north along the Outside Edge towards Raggie Cave.

Maximum depth is approximately 27m.

South Sands

This is a large sand patch with scattered patches of reef. Like North Sands this is an excellent place for spotting large groups of sand sharks. The small ledges on the outskirts are a favourite hiding spot for crayfish (East Coast rock lobster) and Natal Seacatfish. The crayfish may be found living side by side with moray eels. Large schools of fearless red fang triggerfish rule this roost and may be seen nipping at many an unsuspecting diver’s fin while defending their nests. It is also a good spot for large schools of game fish and sailfish and marlin have both been encountered here. A great white shark (perhaps in pursuit of the game fish) may, on occasion, come in for a visit and tiger sharks, raggies and white tip reef sharks are also known to visit here.

Be sure to keep an eye out at mid water for eagle, manta and devil rays that can at times be seen flying quietly overhead.

Maximum depth is approximately 17m.

Inside Edge

This dive is on the western wall of the reef and consists of a number of ledges at approximately 16, 18 & 22m. There are also a number of caves, coves and overhangs.

This is a fantastic dive for viewing the small things. What else you see is really just a matter of how hard you look, octopus, cuttlefish, cowfish, moray and snake eels can all be found. This is not to say that you will not be graced by some of the larger creatures, manta rays and round ribbon tail rays are commonly seen on the top of the ridge, a lone raggie sometimes makes a spectacular appearance and tiger sharks may be lurking.

Maximum depth is approximately 22m.

Eel Skins

This area is unspoilt and seldom dived as it is at the southernmost tip of Aliwal and requires a longer boat ride. The top section of this reef is found at about 14m and has numerous deep pot holes that open up into caverns or caves that are best explored with a torch. For those wanting shark action, blacktips, tigers and hammerheads may occasionally materialise from the blue. (Tiger cave along the outside ridge was in the past traditionally used as a baiting station for tiger sharks).

Maximum depth is approximately 17m.

Howard’s Castle

This reef is infrequently dived and lies south of Aliwal, just off the main reef. Although a fantastic dive, the boat ride (from Umkomaas) can be long so a calm day is best.

The reef reaches a depth of approximately 24m and rises up to around 12m, with lots of interesting overhangs, gullies and rock formations. One of the main features is a swim-thru that runs for about 5m. The area is sometimes used as a station for the specialist tiger shark operators. Although not frequently spotted during a non-baited dive, tiger sharks may be lurking and have been known to make a spectacular appearance.

Blacktip sharks (not to be confused with blacktip reef sharks) may join you. This can be an intimidating but awesome experience as the sharks are inquisitive and may follow you for the duration of the dive. They are very active, fast and curious and may even take turns at “buzzing” you on your safety stop.

In season a small number of raggies usually take up residence and may be seen slowly patrolling the reef.

Frogfish, pineapple fish and a number of other cryptic creatures share the area.

Maximum depth is approximately 24m.