Cathedral

Divesite Image
© ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Divesite Image
© ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Divesite Image
© ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Divesite Image
© ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Divesite Image
© ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh

Cathedral

★★★★☆ (1,606)

Cathedral is one of the most popular and impressive dive sites to visit on Aliwal Shoal. Maximum depth is 27m with 18m on top of Cathedral. Both big and small aquatic beauties decorate this unique reef structure.

Resident sightings include Potato Bass, Sand Tigers in large numbers from May to October, Cuttlefish, Paper Fish, Banded Pipe Fish, and Round Ribbon Tail Rays.

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

SSI Deep Speciality

SSI Deep Speciality

To earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification, you need tobe at least 15 years old and hold an Open Water Diver certificationThe course qualifies you to dive to a maximum depth of 40 meters (130 feet) and typically requires 2 days to complete

June 27, 2026 +237 More
$206.07
ZAR 3,400.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

iStock/Dimitrios Stefanidis
Sand Tiger Shark

Sand Tiger Shark
358 Sightings
J
21
F
25
M
17
A
14
M
31
J
32
J
39
A
40
S
24
O
40
N
41
D
34

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
195 Sightings
J
20
F
19
M
20
A
13
M
15
J
17
J
13
A
14
S
14
O
18
N
16
D
16
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
60 Sightings
J
6
F
12
M
9
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
8
A
0
S
8
O
0
N
17
D
0
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
50 Sightings
J
0
F
10
M
7
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
10
S
0
O
8
N
15
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
47 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
11
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
10
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
9
D
10
AdobeStock-Magnus
Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale
41 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
11
S
12
O
11
N
7
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
29 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
12
J
0
J
0
A
8
S
0
O
9
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
26 Sightings
J
0
F
9
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
9
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
8
D
0
Tobias Friedrich
Bottlenose Dolphin

Bottlenose Dolphin
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
0
N
8
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
236 Sightings
J
19
F
31
M
21
A
15
M
21
J
17
J
21
A
21
S
13
O
18
N
15
D
24
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
155 Sightings
J
8
F
28
M
16
A
10
M
9
J
0
J
12
A
11
S
11
O
18
N
13
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
140 Sightings
J
15
F
23
M
13
A
13
M
6
J
8
J
11
A
9
S
10
O
8
N
11
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
119 Sightings
J
8
F
21
M
10
A
10
M
9
J
7
J
8
A
7
S
8
O
8
N
10
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
100 Sightings
J
7
F
16
M
9
A
8
M
9
J
0
J
10
A
0
S
7
O
9
N
10
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
97 Sightings
J
13
F
13
M
8
A
11
M
7
J
0
J
12
A
10
S
6
O
7
N
10
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
88 Sightings
J
10
F
13
M
9
A
7
M
9
J
0
J
9
A
9
S
7
O
7
N
8
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
87 Sightings
J
10
F
14
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
8
J
0
A
10
S
5
O
10
N
13
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
76 Sightings
J
11
F
11
M
0
A
6
M
10
J
0
J
8
A
8
S
0
O
0
N
8
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
71 Sightings
J
6
F
20
M
0
A
0
M
8
J
0
J
8
A
9
S
0
O
13
N
7
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
59 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
9
A
6
M
0
J
11
J
0
A
6
S
5
O
7
N
8
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
53 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
8
A
7
M
6
J
0
J
10
A
9
S
0
O
0
N
7
D
0
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
43 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
7
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
8
A
6
S
7
O
15
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
40 Sightings
J
8
F
10
M
0
A
0
M
6
J
7
J
9
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
32 Sightings
J
6
F
11
M
0
A
6
M
0
J
0
J
9
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
30 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
6
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
8
N
11
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
30 Sightings
J
0
F
14
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
9
S
0
O
0
N
7
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
16 Sightings
J
0
F
9
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
7
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach
Pipefish

Pipefish
10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
10
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
9 Sightings
J
0
F
9
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

ScubaXcursion, Aliwal Shoal

ScubaXcursion, Aliwal Shoal

Green Lane, 4180 Scottburgh, South Africa
ScubaXcursion, Aliwal Shoal

ScubaXcursion, Aliwal Shoal

Green Lane, 4180 Scottburgh, South Africa

Dive Sites Nearby

ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Landers <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

Landers (★4.3)

Landers has multiple dive locations that each form a dive of its own. You can dive Landers reef numerous times and each dive will be different from the one before. This site is best described as an underwater playground; unlimited crevices, holes, and gullies each filled with marine treasures.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Canyons <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

Canyons (★4.3)

Canyons is an advanced dive site with a maximum depth reaching 34m and average depth around 27m. One of the main and most spectacular features of Canyons is a large mushroom rock with a big green coral tree that seems like it was delicately placed there decorated with sea goldies.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Butchers <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Butchers (★4.4)

Butchers is a unique reef structure made up of large boulders. This mountain like landscape is full of gullies and crevices to explore. Maximum depth is 27m with the reef top at about 19m.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Cowrie <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

Cowrie (★4.2)

Cowrie forms part of the southern reefs of Aliwal Shoal with a maximum depth of 27 meters and the top of the reef at 20 meters. The distance from the southern to northern pinnacles is around 120m. This reef is perfect for macro photography.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Castle <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

Castle (★4.2)

This site is named Castle because of its pinnacles and castle like structures with swim throughs, gullies, and overhangs to explore. Maximum depth is 25m and the top of the reef is 12m deep.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Msea Hammer <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Msea Hammer (★4.7)

Maximum Depth 40 meters. Average Depth 22. Swim Throughs , Caves, Gullies and Crevices. Regular sightings of Scalloped hammerhead Sharks, Oceanic black tip sharks , large grouper and reef structure decorated with a great variety of colourful Nudibranch.
Mares
Eelskins <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

Eelskins (★4.1)

This dive site is an average depth of 13m and a maximum depth of 19m and is only accessible by boat. The entry into the water once at the dive site is a negative entry method.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
South Sands <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

South Sands (★4.2)

South Sands consists of a large sand patch surrounded by reef structure. Maximum depth is 14m with an average depth of 11m. This is the perfect dive site to spot large groups of Rays or Guitar sharks.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Chunnel <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Chunnel (★4.4)

This is a dive site for everyone, it has three main features – a pinnacle that spirals rapidly up towards the surface, an overhang that provides a sheltered hiding place for many of the shoal’s shier residents, and the famous Chunnel Cave.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Raggies Cave <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

Raggies Cave (★4.3)

Raggies Cave is a large overhang with a swim-through and is renowned for the sand tiger sharks that congregate here during winter and spring. The maximum depth is 18m, with an average depth of 11m.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Pinnacles <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

Pinnacles (★4.2)

Pinnacles forms a cluster of mountain like rock formations with many crevices, gullies, and ledges to explore. This dive site is a must for the list of sites to visit when diving Aliwal Shoal. Maximum depth is 18m with the shallowest pinnacles at 5m .
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
North Sands <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

North Sands (★4.3)

North Sands is a large sand patch surrounded by rock formations. Enjoy stunning displays from various Rays, Sand Sharks, and Sand Tigers during the winter months from April to October.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Amphitheatre <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Amphitheatre (★4.5)

Amphitheatre’s name says it all, divers can just observe the living color. Schools of marine life deliver the most brilliant show. Maximum depth is 27m with the top of amphitheatre at 18m.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Aliwal Shoal <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

Aliwal Shoal (★4.1)

Aliwal Shoal is a fossilized Sand Dune with interesting and unique mountain like reef structures that holds many swim throughs, gullies and crevices to explore. The reef is only accessible by boat, there is no shore entries. The surf launch is part of the adventure. Boats are 8.5m Rubber Ducks/Ribb
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
MV Produce, wreck <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

MV Produce, wreck (★4.2)

The Most recent of the ships to fall victom to the pinnacles of Aliwal Shoal is the MV Produce that sank on the 11th of August in 1974. The maximum depth 32m on the sand. This Norwegian bulk carrier had an original length of 168 meters and was carrying a full cargo of Molasses when it sunk.
Mares
Inside Edge - Aliwal Shoal <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Inside Edge - Aliwal Shoal (★4.5)

The inside edge of Aliwal Shoal rises from the sand forming a fantastic landscape of pinnacles, gullies, swim-throughs, and caverns. Some of the best diving in Africa is found on the Aliwal Shoal. It is home to a diverse array of marine life.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Outside Edge, Aliwal Shoal <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

Outside Edge, Aliwal Shoal (★4.3)

This dive site has a minimum diving qualification of Advanced Open Water diver as the maximum depth is 27m and is only accessible by boat. Due to its depth, it is not suitable for beginner divers.
ScubaXcursion, 4180 Scottburgh
Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

Nebo Wreck, Aliwal Shoal (★4.2)

The SS Nebo wreck was a British steamboat which sank in 1884 and one of Aliwal Shoals many victims. It had departed from England and was en route to Durban, when it sank close to the coast it had 4500 tonnes of metal cargo that was planned for building a new railway.
Aqualung
Manta Point Aliwal <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Manta Point Aliwal (★4.5)

Manta Point – Aliwal Shoal’s Premier Big Animal EncounterManta Point is one of the most thrilling dive sites on Aliwal Shoal, famous for its seasonal visits from giant oceanic mantas and its incredible biodiversity. This site is a magnet for divers seeking awe-inspiring encounters with large pelagic species.