Explore Pretoria
Though Pretoria is landlocked, there are a number of dive centres in the town and surrounding areas. The calm waters of the lakes make it popular with dive courses - notably beginners, but it is popular with technical diving training too. Some of the dive courses are completed in these lakes and some involve trips to Sodwana Bay on the coast.
As the diving is limited to the large bodies of water in the area, there are no liveaboards or dive resorts located here. The majority of people who learn to dive here are locals.
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Top Pretoria Dive Sites
1. Miracle Waters (near Brits)
Just over an hour from Pretoria, this spring-fed quarry is perfect for recreational divers. It offers clear water, bass and kurper, and submerged structures like an aeroplane, yacht, and bus. The site is great for scuba and freediving, with moderate adventure levels and excellent visibility.
2. Bass Lake (Henley on Klip)
A classic inland dive site near Pretoria, Bass Lake suits both beginners and experienced divers. The calm quarry hosts bass fish and various sunken attractions like a bus, hang glider, and helicopter. It’s ideal for scuba training and casual freediving, especially in the morning when visibility peaks.
3. Wondergat Dolomitic Sinkhole (North West Province)
This natural sinkhole offers a dramatic descent exceeding 70 m, making it a hotspot for deep and technical scuba diving. While marine life is sparse, the geological formations and depth make it a serious training ground for experienced divers only.
4. Scubaversity Dive Park (Krugersdorp) – Freediving possible
This purpose-built training facility offers platforms, submerged wreck simulations, and controlled environments. It’s well-suited for beginners, rescue diver courses, and freedivers honing skills in a safe, structured setting close to Pretoria.
5. Sodwana Bay (KwaZulu-Natal Coast)
Though a longer drive from Pretoria, Sodwana Bay is a popular weekend getaway for coastal diving. It features vibrant coral reefs, turtles, and pelagics. With a mix of shallow shore dives and deeper drifts, it offers scuba diving for all levels in a protected marine area.