Agulhas House and Diving

Agulhas House & Diving is located in Umkomaas, KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa. The closest airport is King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban. Airport transfers are available for free, and the drive to the resort takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The resort is situated within Umkomaas town, about 50 km (35 miles) from Durban, with easy access to local shops, beaches, and dive sites.

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Agulhas House & Diving provides access to the world-famous Aliwal Shoal, which is recognized for its vibrant reefs, stunning wrecks, and diverse marine life such as sharks, rays, and turtles. During the yearly Sardine Run, divers witness one of the world's most stunning marine events, with millions of sardines attracting dolphins, sharks, and seagulls for an amazing underwater experience. The onsite diving center caters to all skill levels, offering guided dives and skilled dive masters for a safe and thrilling adventure.

[Read more: South Africa Dive Travel Guide]

Agulhas House & Diving provides pleasant, well-appointed en-suite rooms in gorgeous tropical gardens with a swimming pool and relaxed atmosphere. Rooms are decorated in neutral tones and feature air conditioning, fridge, free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee amenities, hairdryer, and secure parking. Options include double, twin, and family suites.

Meals are served buffet style on a full‑board basis, featuring South African home‑cooked cuisine prepared daily for guests. The on‑site dining experience is relaxed and communal, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included in your stay, and special dietary requirements catered to with prior notice. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available throughout the day

Agulhas House & Diving offers guests access to the legendary Aliwal Shoal, one of South Africa's top diving spots off the coast of Umkomaas. The shoal features a diverse range of dive sites,  from dramatic reef structures and caves to historic wrecks like The Produce and The Nebo, catering to divers of all skill levels. Marine life on the shoal is prolific year-round, with reef fish, rays, turtles, dolphins, and seasonal visitors like ragged-tooth sharks and manta rays creating unforgettable encounters beneath the waves. The variety of topography and vibrant underwater ecosystems makes Aliwal Shoal a standout location for both scenic dives and critter spotting.

The region also offers unique seasonal events such as the Sardine Run, where massive schools of sardines attract dolphins, whales, seals, and predators like sharks into high-energy feeding events that can be observed from the water surface or underwater. Divers can also experience baited shark dives, particularly from December to March, which provide thrilling up-close interactions with tiger sharks and other large pelagic species as they are drawn in by scent trails near the shoal. These experiences highlight the extraordinary biodiversity of the area and make Umkomaas a bucket-list destination for adventurous divers.

 

The on-site Agulhas House Dive Centre in Umkomaas operates directly from the resort and provides full-service diving to Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area for both resident and visiting divers, supported by a team with more than 25 years of dive operations experience. The center offers guided reef, wreck, and baited shark dives with certified dive masters, with launches often taking place in the morning from the beach to Shoal dive sites. RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers) provides training and certification courses, and professionals assist with daily dive logistics and gear handling for guests' convenience.

Equipment & Facilities include:

• Full range of rental dive equipment
• Large cylinder inventory in multiple sizes with DIN and A-clamp fittings
• Free Nitrox for qualified divers via on-site membrane system
• Technical and rebreather (CCR) diving support
• On-site filling and equipment preparation between dives