Ovaj je članak namijenjen pružanju već kvalificiranom roniocu ronilaca informacija koje će vam pomoći u planiranju roni u vodama Južne Afrike, bilo kao lokalni stanovnik ili posjetitelj. Informacije se daju bez predrasuda i nisu zajamčene točne ili potpune. Koristite ga na vlastiti rizik. Informacije se prvenstveno odnose na mjesta za rekreativno ronjenje, ali mogu biti korisne i roniocu ili freediveru.
Ako tražite informacije o osposobljavanju i certificiranju kao rekreativni ronilac, pogledajte članak na ronjenje za opće informacije ili regionalni članak koji pokriva vaše područje interesa pronađite popis ronilačkih škola.
Detaljnije regionalne informacije i popisi ronilačkih trgovina, operatera i ostalih srodnih usluga također će se obično naći u regionalnim vodičima. Neke informacije i popisi za područja bez regionalnog vodiča mogu se naći u ovom članku pod naslovima Usluge u Odredište odjeljak.
Shvati
Južna Afrika ima mjesta koja se šire duž njegove obale i koja su možda poznatija po morskim psima i drugim velikim morskim životima, ali također imaju širok spektar endemskih manjih riba i beskičmenjaka. Obalna nalazišta kreću se od tropskih koraljnih grebena na sjeveru KwaZulu-Natala na istočnoj obali, gdje su ribe tipične indo-pacifičke tropske vrste, i vrlo šarene, preko tople umjerene južne obale sa svojim stjenovitim obalama i mnogim endemskim vrstama, za hlađenje umjerenih stjenovitih grebena na zapadnoj obali s njihovim šumama algi, gdje je život riba relativno dosadan, ali beskičmenjaci daju boju.
Godišnjak trčanje sardine s juga na istočnu obalu pravedno je poznata, a manje poznato mrijest chokke (lignje) također privlači velik broj grabežljivaca, ali bez potrebe za tolikom jurnjavom kako bi bili na pravom mjestu. Pravo je vrijeme tamo problem.
Duž obale postoji velik broj olupina, od kojih neke imaju povijesnu važnost još u 15. stoljeću, a neke se smatraju dobrim mjestima za ronjenje. Oni su uglavnom koncentrirani u blizini luka i u blizini glavnih rtova. Poluotok Cape, Danger Point, rt Agulhas, zaljev Algoa i Durban imaju relativno velik broj dostupnih ronjenja u olupini. Točan položaj mnogih olupina još uvijek nije poznat, a pronalazak istih pruža zabavu nekim roniocima.
Unutarnja područja obično se koriste za obuku, tehničko ronjenje i ronjenje u špiljama. To su slatkovodna nadmorska visinska mjesta, neka s špiljskom komponentom, a kreću se od plitkih do vrlo dubokih.
Južnoafričko ronjenje općenito je fizički izazovnije od popularnijih tropskih odredišta. To može uključivati hladnu vodu, lansiranje surfanja, velike otekline ili jake struje, ovisno o regiji u kojoj je riječ, a poželjna je viša razina kondicije i vještine ako želite maksimalno uživati u iskustvu.
Južnoafrička mjesta za ronjenje mogu se grupirati u četiri regije, od kojih svaka ima općenito slične vodene uvjete, postupke ronjenja i biološku raznolikost. Ovo su Zapadna obala, Južna obala, Istočna obala, i mjesta za ronjenje u unutrašnjosti. Obalna ronilačka područja približavaju se obalnim ekoregionima bliže od političkih regija, s nekim prijelaznim područjima, osim što se razdvajanje zapadne obale / južne obale vrši istočno od False Baya, koji se smatra dijelom ronilačke četvrti zapadne obale Cape Towna.
Za one koji žele zaštićenije i benigne uvjete, postoje dva velika akvarija u kojima ronioci mogu uživati u toplijoj vodi i vrlo laganom pristupu, a zajamčeno im je vidjeti velik broj riba.
Opća topografija
Fizička geografija regije
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Južna Afrika je južni dio kontinenta Afrike, jedini kontinent kroz koji prolaze oba tropska područja. Kontinent se prostire na najviše 34 ° 50 'geografske širine južno od ekvatora i 37 ° 20' sjeverno, pa je uglavnom tropski i suptropski, s umjerenim opsegom umjerenih zona. Južna Afrika je regija Afrike najudaljenija od ekvatora na južnoj hemisferi. Prostire se od rijeke Limpopo na sjeveru na S22 ° 07 'do rta Agulhas na jugu na S34 ° 50', i od ušća rijeke Orange na zapadu na E016 ° 27 'do Ponta do Ouro na istoku na E32 ° 23 '.
Oceani koji se graniče s Južnom Afrikom
Južna Afrika je jedna od rijetkih zemalja s više od jednog oceana na obali, a to duboko utječe na morske uvjete, ne toliko zato što su vode nominalno podijeljene u dva oceana, već zato što velike struje dva oceana imaju tako duboke razlike i one snažno utječu na susjedne ekosustave.
Obala od usta rijeke Orange koja graniči s Namibijom na sjeverozapadu do Ponto do Oura koji graniči s Mozambikom na sjeveroistoku duga je približno 3750 km, što je 51. mjesto po dužini od 195 zemalja.
Širina kontinentalnog šelfa u blizini Južne Afrike izuzetno varira, s vrlo uskim regalom uz sjeveroistočnu obalu KwaZulu-Natala i širokim regalom kraj južnog vrha Afrike - Bankom Agulhas. Polica se ponovno sužava uz poluotok Cape i umjerene je širine od rta Columbine sjeverno, uz zapadnu obalu.
Zemljopisna podjela između Atlantskog i Indijskog oceana nalazi se na južnom vrhu, rta Agulhas, ali s praktičnog gledišta najoštrija razlika u kvalitativnom smislu je na Cape Pointu, a mnogi Kapetonci vole misliti da je ovo mjesto dva oceana . Razlog tome je što je zapadna obala pod snažnim utjecajem hladne Benguela struje koja teče sjeverno uz zapadnu obalu, a topla Agulhas struja južno na istočnoj obali. Struja Agulhas može se smatrati nastavkom mozambičke struje koja teče jugozapadno, a zatim zapadno prateći istočnu obalu. Na struju Agulhasa utječe relativno plitka banka Agulhas i ona odbacuje neke ogromne vrtloge, od kojih neki prolaze u južni Atlantik, ali većina njih ljulja se prema jugu, a zatim prema istoku i na kraju se rasipa u južnom oceanu.
Klima, vremenski i morski uvjeti
Zapadna obala
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike
U usporedbi s tropskim vodama koje su poznate mnogim roniocima, voda je hladna - može biti od oko 20 ° C do 8 ° C. Može biti mrak, a vidljivost može znatno varirati - 8 m se smatra prilično dobrim, premda povremeno prelazi 20 m, a manje od 3 m smatra se lošim. Mještani općenito smatraju da je 5 m donja granica prihvatljivosti. Rijetke su značajne donje struje, ali površinska struja može biti dovoljna da stvori probleme roniocima koji odgađaju spuštanje. Prenaponski valovi su česti i mogu biti nezgodni u velikim i dugotrajnim oteklinama, što nije rijetkost. Postoje morski psi, uključujući velike bijelce, ali ih se rijetko viđa. Sjeckanje vjetrova na površini obično ne utječe na podvodne uvjete, ali vožnju brodom ili površinsko plivanje može učiniti neugodnim. Uobičajeni ronilački brod je veliki RIB s dva motora, lansiran s navoja i koji nosi do 12 ronilaca, iako bi pristup brodu roniocima mogao biti s mola. Ronjenje na kopnu je opcija na većem dijelu regije, ovisno o kondiciji ronilaca i pristupu vodi.
Tehnički se cijela regija nalazi u Atlantskom oceanu - službena granica s Indijskim oceanom nalazi se na rtu Agulhas - ali ekološka granica između zapadne i južne obale nalazi se na Cape Pointu, a i lokalni ronioci i morski biolozi prepoznaju značajnu razliku između " Atlantska strana "i False Bay.
Južna obala
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike
Promovirajući perspektivu ronjenja, može se smatrati da se južna obala proteže od otprilike Danger Pointa u Gansbaaiju prema istoku do druge strane Divlje obale. Regijom dominira Agulhasova struja, koja teče jugozapadno uz istočni dio ove obale, a od obale je prisiljena širenjem kontinentalnog pojasa, omogućavajući hladnijoj vodi da se gura duž obale i prekidajući ogromne vrtloge. Rijeke se slijevaju u ocean duž ove obale i, s obzirom da ne postoji jaka obalna struja koja bi odnijela ove vode, njihovo se hranjivo opterećenje relativno postupno raspršuje u usporedbi s istočnom obalom. Mnoge endemske vrste evoluirale su u ovoj regiji. To su životinje koje nema nigdje drugdje, a neke od njih imaju vrlo ograničen domet. Na primjer, morski konj Knysna nalazi se samo u tri ušća na južnoj obali. Ovo područje ima više temperature površine mora od zapadne obale, dosežući 22 ° C ljeti i u prosjeku oko 15 ° C zimi. Kad su ronilački uvjeti dobri, postoji jedinstvena biološka raznolikost koju treba istražiti u vodi koja nije posebno hladna.
Istočna obala
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje na istočnoj obali Južne Afrike
Voda istočne obale je topla s temperaturama koje se ljeti penju i do 28 ° C, a zimi između 18 i 24 ° C. Vidljivost je općenito dobra, iako na mnoga mjesta može utjecati otjecanje rijeke u ljetnoj kišnoj sezoni. Struja može biti jaka, ovisno o tome koliko se brza Agulhasova struja gura na obalu, a talas ovisi o razdoblju vala i dubini zarona. Kontinentalni je pojas istočne obale uzak, a rub regala plitak, pa struja Agulhas teče relativno blizu obale. Ova uska snažna struja teče prema jugu niz istočnu obalu Afrike u nizu golemih rotirajućih žila, donoseći sa sobom kozmopolitsku i raznovrsnu indo-pacifičku tropsku faunu u vodi grijanoj tropskim suncem i ograničavajući širenje endemskih vrsta na sjeveru. Obalni vjetrovi pušu nad toplom vodom i ljeti donose kišu na ovu obalu, a otjecanje iz rijeka odnosi mulj u more. Tamo gdje je kontinentalni šelf vrlo uski, a struja teče blizu obale, brzo zamijenjuje muljevitu vodu bistrijom dubokom oceanskom vodom. Kontinentalni šelf proteže se dalje od mora blizu Durbana, pa je ljetna vidljivost tamo oslabljena, ali južnije kod obala Aliwal Shoal i Protea, kontinentalni je šelf opet uži i stoga je voda tamo obično bistrija.
Porinuci su s navoza, ušća rijeka ili plaže, a čamci s porinuća s plaže obično se vraćaju na obalu trčeći plažom iza vala. Obalno ronjenje je opcija na nekoliko mjesta u Durbanu. Mnoga mjesta su najprikladnija za drift ronjenje s voditeljem zarona koji vuče marker plutaču za kojom ronilački brod slijedi.
Morska ekologija
Obalne vode Južne Afrike mogu se podijeliti u brojne biogeografske regije, premda općenito ne postoji oštra razlika između njih gdje su postavljene granice. Postepene su promjene duž obale, od tropskih voda sjevernog KwaZulu-Natala do hladnijih voda južne obale.
Jedino mjesto na kojem se relativno malo mijenja na kratkoj udaljenosti je Cape Point, gdje vode istočne i zapadne strane Cape Peninsula podržavaju primjetno različite ekologije, pa čak i ovdje postoji značajno preklapanje rezidentnih organizama.
Duž ove obale postoji veliki udio endemskih vrsta, posebno duž južne obale.
Morski ekoregioni
Regija od interesa za rekreativne ronioce su obalni ekoregioni koji su dostupni i dovoljno plitki za ronjenje. Smatra se da se protežu od obale do probijanja kontinentalnog pojasa, pa je većina područja previše duboka za ronjenje.
- The hladno umjereno Ekoregija Benguela proteže se od brda Sylvia u Namibiji do Cape Pointa. Hladna struja Benguela glavni je utjecaj, a regiju karakteriziraju intenzivni opsežni otoci i voda bogata nutrijentima. Na jugoistočnom kraju ove regije, prelom na Cape Pointu vrlo je različit u obalnim dubinskim rasponima, ali u dubljim područjima odabran je kao kontura dubine od 150 m, otprilike južno od rta Agulhas. Ova linija više odgovara zoni miješanja struja Benguela i Agulhas i otprilike je paralelna rubu police.
- The toplo umjereno Ekoregija Agulhas proteže se od Cape Pointa do rijeke Mbashe. Rijeka Mbashe odabrana je kao najprikladnija granica između suptropske provincije Natal na sjeveru i tople umjerene regije Agulhas na jugu, ali promjene su postupne između ovih regija. Uzdizanje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike u velikoj mjeri potiče struja Agulhas i kontinentalni šelf. Ovaj oblik uzdizanja prisiljava hladnu duboku vodu na kontinentalni šelf, ali ne nužno iznad termoklina. U regiji istočno od obale Agulhas, nadimak pojačan vjetrom, koji se javlja uglavnom ljeti, pojačava trenutni poticaj koji donosi hladnije dublje vode na površinu. To poboljšava biološku produktivnost opskrbom hranjivim tvarima u eufotičnoj zoni (gdje biljke imaju dovoljno svjetlosti za procvat) koja potiče proizvodnju fitoplanktona, a stjenovite obale opskrbljene vodom bogate hranjivim tvarima podržavaju bogatu biomasu algi. Godišnji mrijest čoke (lignje) uglavnom se odvija u ovoj regiji.
- The suptropski Natalna ekoregija proteže se od rijeke Mbashe do rta Vidal. Ovo područje ima visok unos rijeka, ali Agulhas Current je glavni utjecaj na Natal ekoregiju. Stanište grebena je ograničeno, a glavna područja grebena uključuju plićak Aliwal i banke protea. Zajednice stjenovitih grebena razlikuju se od zajednica koraljnih grebena sjevernije, jer se kameni koralji smanjuju s povećanom mutnoćom na jugu. Natal ekoregija podržava endemske meke koralje. Godišnjak trčanje sardine značajka je južnog dijela ove regije.
- The tropskim Ekoregija Delagoa proteže se od rta Vidal sjeverno prema Mozambiku. Na jasnu promjenu strukture morske zajednice na rtu Vidal ukazuju staništa međuplima, obrasci rasprostranjenosti morske trave i mangrova te rasponi vrsta tropskih morskih ptica i kitova.
Oprema
Obični rekreativac oprema za ronjenje dovoljan je za većinu ronilačkih mjesta u većini regija. Najveća varijacija zahtjeva odnosi se na odijela za izlaganje. Na tropskom sjeveroistoku, gdje je temperatura vode obično na ili iznad 24 ° C, mokra odijela nose se koliko za zaštitu od sunca i uboda, toliko i za toplinu, dok je na zapadnoj obali jedva dovoljna odijelo od 7 mm , a suha odijela postaju sve popularnija kod ronilaca koji uživaju ugodno na kraju ronjenja pri temperaturama vode od 8 ° C. Većina mjesta za ronjenje relativno je plitko - malo je dublje od 40 m, a većina je u rasponu od 10 do 30 m.
Potvrda ronioca i pravna odgovornost
U Južnoj Africi ne postoji zakonski zahtjev za izdavanje certifikata za rekreativnog ronioca. Zakonski smijete kupiti opremu i roniti s njom bez ikakve obuke, certifikata, iskustva ili kompetencije. Također nema zakonskih ograničenja koja vas sprečavaju da slobodno krenete na more i preskočite bok čamca noseći samo pojas s utezima, ali postoje udobniji i prikladniji načini da se ubijete.
Većina, ako ne nužno svi, operatora chartera ronjenja inzistirat će na tome da ste certificirani za ronjenje do dubine i u uvjetima koji se očekuju na mjestu ronjenja ili da ste u pratnji ovlaštenog instruktora. To nije samo zato što su zabrinuti za vašu sigurnost, već i smanjuje papirologiju u slučaju nesreće. Loše je za posao što vaši klijenti umiru tijekom izleta, pa je većina operatera prilično marljiva u osiguravanju da klijenti budu informirani o vjerojatnim uvjetima i rizicima specifičnim za web lokaciju te o preporučenoj razini certificiranja. U većini slučajeva potrebna su odricanja, a ronilac preuzima odgovornost za vlastite postupke, a osim ako postoje snažni dokazi o nemaru ili nezakonitim radnjama od strane operatera, parnica nakon događaja vjerojatno neće imućne članove obogatiti.
Neki operateri otkazat će ronjenje ako se čini da će uvjeti biti neugodni, a vjerojatno će i svi otkazati ako uvjeti izgledaju opasno. Međutim, to ne znači da će vam uvjeti nužno biti sigurni ako je ronjenje uključeno. Očekuje se da sami procijenite s čim se možete nositi i hoće li situacija biti u vašim mogućnostima na dan, te sami donesite odluku. Posada može savjetovati, ali ne može misliti umjesto vas.
Ako ste polaznik certifikacijskog programa, imate pravo očekivati da će vas instruktor savjetovati o riziku i sigurnosti, ali ukoliko uopće nemate certifikat, očekuje se da ćete moći razumno i odgovorno odabrati za sebe.
Odredišta
Ronjenje u Južnoj Africi događa se u tri obalne regije, raspoređene u tri obalne provincije, a na kopnenim mjestima, raširene u različitim skupinama provincija. Obalna odredišta ovdje su prvenstveno navedena u smjeru suprotnom od kazaljke na satu oko obale i slučajno po provincijama. Unutrašnja mjesta samo su navedena abecednim redom jer nema očitog razloga da se to učini. Pokrajina za ronioca nema značajne razlike osim općenite ideje o tome gdje se nalazi.
Zapadni rt
The Zapadni rt provincija je najjugozapadnija provincija Južne Afrike. Obuhvaća velik udio turističkih odredišta i atrakcija Južne Afrike, među kojima je nekoliko poznatijih ronilačkih odredišta.
Lambertov zaljev
1 Lambertov zaljev je malo ribarsko mjesto na zapadnoj obali Zapadni rt 280 kilometara (170 milja) sjeverno od Cape Towna. Ovo je dio obale izložen vjetru i morima sa zapadnom komponentom. Općenito se ne smatra a ronjenje odredište, ali je u sezoni prilično popularno za ronjenje na vodi za kref (jastog sa zapadne obale).
Zaljev Elands
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # Eland's Bay
2 Elandov zaljev je malo ribarsko mjesto u zapadnom rtu oko 220 km (dva i pol sata vožnje) sjeverno od Cape Towna. Općenito se ne smatra odmorišnim odmaralištem, ali je prilično popularno za slobodno ronjenje za jastoga u sezoni. To je više odredište za surfanje, a poznato je i po špiljama sa stijenskim slikama. Nije u MPA, pa za ronjenje nije potrebna dozvola. Za ronjenje s jastogom potrebna je dozvola posebno za tu aktivnost i ne smije se raditi na ronjenju.
Očenaš
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # Paternoster
3 Očenaš je malo ribarsko mjesto na zapadnoj obali zapadnog rta. Općenito se ne smatra odredištem za ronjenje, ali je prilično popularno za slobodno ronjenje za jastoga u sezoni i ima nekoliko olupina vrijednih ronjenja nakon što je dan ulov iskrcan ako su dobri uvjeti. Ovo nije MPA, pa za ronjenje nije potrebna dozvola, međutim za sakupljanje jastoga potrebna je dozvola.
Zaljev Saldanha
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # Saldanha Bay
4 Zaljev Saldanha je glavna luka za izvoz rude i ribarska luka uz nekoliko zaštićenih morskih područja i kopnenih rezervata prirode. Nije dobro poznato kao odredište za ronjenje, ali u gradu postoji komercijalna škola ronjenja, a obavlja se i neko rekreativno ronjenje u blizini.
Otok Dassen
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # Dassen Island
1 Otok Dassen je mali otočni rezervat prirode uz zapadnu obalu zapadnog rta. Općenito se ne smatra ronilačkim odredištem jer nije lako doći tamo, ali postoji nekoliko ronilačkih mjesta, uključujući neke olupine, ako ste u tom području.
Silwerstroomstrand
5 Silwerstroomstrand je plaža krajnje sjeverno od Cape Towna. Općenito se ne smatra odmorištem, ali postoji nekoliko mjesta.
Cape Town
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje poluotoka Cape i False Bay
6 Cape Town je glavni lučki grad i zakonodavni glavni grad Južne Afrike. Vode Cape Towna uključuju Atlantsku obalu, zapadno od Rt poluotok koja je prohladna do hladna umjerena i False Bay, koja je također prohladna umjerena, ali na koju znatno utječu toplije vode koje su istočnu obalu srušile mozambička struja i struja Agulhas, i ima određenu ekološku sličnost s južnom obalom.
Cape Point prihvaćen je kao granica između hladnog umjerenog zraka Ekoregija Benguela zapadne obale, a toplo umjereno Ekoregija Agulhas južne obale. Za razliku od ostalih granica između morskih bioregija, koje su difuzne, ekosustavi se vrlo značajno razlikuju na kratkoj udaljenosti kod Cape Pointa, zbog promjene s dominantnog utjecaja toplije struje Agulhas na istoku do hladne Benguela struje na zapadu .
Postoje mnoge endemske vrste riba, beskičmenjaci i morske alge, kao i niz drugih šire rasprostranjenih organizama, te velik broj olupina brodova, od kojih su neka vrlo cijenjena kao mjesta ronjenja. False Bay ponekad je domaćin lutajućim ribama iz toplijih krajeva, a povremeno čak i kornjačama dovezenim strujama s istočne obale.
Planinski poluotok Cape, koji dijeli Atlantski ocean od False Baya, također štiti obalne vode sa svake strane od vjetra i valova s druge strane, što omogućava ronjenje tijekom cijele godine, ali sezonske varijacije gdje roniti i što treba vidi, jer postoji značajna i primjetna razlika između ekosustava na alternativnim obalama.
Tri su morska zaštićena područja povezana s obalnim vodama Cape Towna: Morsko zaštićeno područje Nacionalnog parka Table Mountain, koje uključuje većinu ronilačkih grebena i velik broj olupina, Morsko zaštićeno područje otoka Robben, s većinom olupinama, ali ne toliko, a neka prilično duboka, i malo morsko zaštićeno područje Helderberg, s vrlo malo mjesta za ronjenje.
Betty's Bay
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # Betty's Bay
7 Betty's Bay je malo odmaralište u Overberg okrug zapadnog rta. Bilo je popularno područje slobodnog ronjenja za rekreacijsko sakupljanje ušiju prije nego što je ribolov bio zatvoren za javnost i postao glavni problem krivolova.
Hawston
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # Hawston
8 Hawston je malo odmaralište i ribarski gradić u Overberg okrug zapadnog rta.
Hermanus
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje u Hermanusu
9 Hermanus je malo lučko mjesto u Overberg kvart zapadnog rta, poznat po promatranju kitova.
Gansbaai
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # Gansbaai
10 Gansbaai je malo lučko mjesto u Overberg okrug zapadnog rta, dobro poznat po ronjenju u kavezima s velikim bijelim morskim psima i olupini HMS-a Birkenhead.
Struisbaai
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike # Strruisbaai
11 Struisbaai je malo ribarsko mjesto u Overberg okrug zapadnog rta. Prilično je popularno kao odredište za podvodni ribolov.
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans)
12 Arniston je malo mjesto za odmor u Overberg okrug zapadnog rta, nazvan po svojoj najpoznatijoj olupini.
Zaljev Mossel
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike # Mossel Bay
13 Zaljev Mossel je lučki grad na Vrtna ruta u zapadnom rtu.
Najzna
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike # Knysna
14 Najzna je lučki grad na velikoj laguni na Vrtna ruta u zapadnom rtu. Roniti se u blizini ušća lagune najbolje je za vrijeme plime, jer struje mogu postati vrlo jake.
Zaljev Plettenberg
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike # Plettenberg Bay
15 Zaljev Plettenberg je turističko mjesto na Vrtna ruta u zapadnom rtu, poznat uglavnom po plažama.
Istočni rt
The Istočni rt je provincija na južnoj obali Južne Afrike na obali istočnog dijela ekoregije Agulhas, koja je bogata endemskim morskim vrstama. Ronjenje je vrlo ovisno o vremenskim uvjetima, a vidljivost je često dobra, ali kad je dobra ima se što vidjeti. Voda je općenito toplija od zapadnog rta, ali povremeno ima hladnih stanova.
Tsitsikamma
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje Tsitsikamma
16 The Morsko zaštićeno područje nacionalnog parka Tsitsikamma proteže se duž zapadnog dijela obale Istočnog Rta i malog dijela obale Zapadnog Rta na Vrtna ruta.
Jeffrey's Bay
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # Jeffrey's Bay
17 Jeffrey's Bay je turističko mjesto na istočnom rtu najpoznatije kao odredište za surfanje.
Zaljev sv. Franje
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na zapadnoj obali Južne Afrike # St Francis Bay
18 Zaljev sv. Franje je malo lučko mjesto na istočnom rtu, poznato po godišnjem trčanju Chokka.
Port Elizabeth
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje u Port Elizabeth
19 Port Elizabeth je glavni lučki grad u Istočnom rtu na obali zaljeva Algoa. Mjesta za ronjenje nalaze se i unutar zaljeva i zapadno od rta Recife, u i području poznatom kao Wildside, koje je izloženije jugozapadnim nabujanjima, ali je dublji i ima opsežnije grebene.
Luka Alfred
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike # Port Alfred
20 Luka Alfred je mali lučki gradić u Istočnom rtu na ušću rijeke Kowie.
Olupina SS Caribooa
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje u Južnoj Africi / olupina SS Cariboo
2 SS Cariboo olupina je olupina putničkog broda oko 3,4 km od ušća rijeke Mgwalana, sjeveroistočno od luke Alfred.
Greben Madakaskara
Tik sjeverno od ušća Bire, oko 70 km sjeveroistočno od Port Alfreda.
Istočni London
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike # Istočni London
21 Istočni London je lučki grad u Istočnom Rtu.
Divlja obala
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na južnoj obali Južne Afrike # Wild Coast
3 The Divlja obala je obalno područje Istočni rt sa sjevera Istočni London do južne granice KwaZulu-Natal.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal je pokrajina na istočnoj obali, između Mozambika na sjeveru i Istočnog rta na jugu.
Margate
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na istočnoj obali Južne Afrike # Margate
22 Margate je malo odmaralište na južnoj obali KwaZulu-Natala u blizini banaka Protea.
Park Rynie
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na istočnoj obali Južne Afrike # Park Rynie
23 Park Rynie je malo odmaralište na južnoj obali KwaZulu-Natala.
Umkomaas i Scottburgh
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje Aliwal Shoal
1849. godine, nakon što se brod Aliwal zamalo sudario s neistraženim grebenom, njegov je kapetan izvijestio o položaju ovog grebena koji je kasnije postao poznat kao Aliwal Shoal. Udaljeno je oko 60 km južno od Durbana. Najbliži gradovi su 24 Umkomaas i 25 Scottburgh, oba pružaju opsežne turističke sadržaje, uključujući i ronioce.
Plićak je fosilizirana pješčana dina koja leži otprilike paralelno s obalom, oko 5 km od obale. Sastoji se od uskog sjevernog dijela, krune, široke oko 250 m, koja postaje oko 800 m široka i na kraju sa širim kopnenim grebenom na jugu, širinom većom od 2 km. Dubina krune varira od oko 6 m na sjevernim vrhuncima do oko 30 m na morskoj strani. Srednja dubina područja krune je 12,5 m. Južno šire područje obuhvaća nekoliko izbočina koje sežu od oko 30 m do oko 15 m (npr. Howardov dvorac, greben Landers). Na području krune, mnoga mjesta za ronjenje (npr. Špilja Raggie i Chunnel) imaju veliku količinu neravne topografije s malim špiljama, izbočinama i prolazima bogatim morskim životom, kako ribom tako i beskralješnjacima.
Područje plićaka ima suptropsku klimu sa srednjim mjesečnim temperaturama zraka u rasponu od 17,0 ° C (srpanj) do 23,9 ° C (veljača). Temperature mora imaju tendenciju da budu nešto toplije, zbog tople, tropske, južne struje Agulhas, koja rezultira 21-26 ° C tijekom cijele godine.
Durban
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje u Durbanu
Ronjenje u glavnom lučkom gradu 26 Durban u KwaZulu-Natalu utječu prevladavajući vjetrovi i otjecanje s rijeke Umgeni, ušća u luku i usjeka Umlaasa na Blufu što može utjecati na vidljivost u kišnoj sezoni (proljeće: rujan - prosinac) u neposrednoj blizini njihove usta. Niske sezonske kiše i prevladavajući jugozapadnjaci koji dovode bistru vodu iz Mozanbique struje čine zimu najboljim vremenom za ronjenje Durbana (od ožujka do srpnja).
Ballito
- Vidi također: Ronjenje na istočnoj obali Južne Afrike # Ballito
27 Ballito je obalni grad na sjevernoj obali (KwaZulu-Natal) Južne Afrike. To je uglavnom odmaralište s plažama i kondominijumima, ali ima i neka mjesta za ronjenje.
Sveta Lucija
- 4 Rt Vidal
Zaljev Sodwana
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje zaljevom Sodwana
5 Zaljev Sodwana je jedno od poznatijih i popularnijih ronilačkih odredišta u Južnoj Africi. Nalazi se na krajnjem sjeveroistoku zemlje i nalazi se u tropskoj ekoregiji Delagoa s grebenskim koraljima i tipičnim indopacifičkim morskim životom. Sodwana je unutar velikog morskog zaštićenog područja iSimangaliso, a poznata je po svojim koelakantama, koje su tehnički ronioci povremeno vidjeli na dubini od oko 110 m u jednom od kanjona s rubom police.
Sjeverni Maputaland
Uključujući 6 Mabibi i 7 Zaljev Kosi. Ta se nalazišta nalaze i u morskom zaštićenom području iSimangaliso.
Mjesta za ronjenje na kopnu
- Glavna tema: Ronjenje u unutrašnjosti Južne Afrike
Mjesta za ronjenje u unutrašnjosti prostiru se na velikom području i uključuju:
- 8 Badgat: - poplavljeni rudnik azbesta u blizini Mbombela u Mpumalanga pokrajina.
- 9 Bass Lake: - Neiskorišteni kamenolom dolomita u blizini Meyerton južno od Johannesburg u Gauteng pokrajina.
- 10 Boesmansgat: - Vrtača, blizu Kuruman u Sjeverni rt pokrajina.
- 11 Marico Oog: - izvor između Rustenburga, Zeerusta i Lichtenburga, u Sjeverozapadna pokrajina
- 12 Čudesne vode: - poplavljeni rudnik kroma u blizini Britanci u Sjeverozapadna pokrajina
- 13 Wondergat: - ponornica dolomita u blizini Mafikeng u Sjeverozapadna pokrajina
Itinerari
Godišnje trčanje srdelama je značajan događaj koji se kreće duž južne obale dok se sardine migriraju. Ronioci i drugi entuzijasti ili prate trčanje uz obalu ili ga susreću dok prolazi pored glavnih središta. Ogromnom broju sardina prethode kitovi, morski psi, dupini, divljači, morske ptice i naravno, ljudi.
Learn
There are recreational diver training schools at most diving destinations in South Africa. Affiliation is with a wide range of internationally recognised Recreational and Technical diving agencies, including PADI, CMAS-ISA, NAUI, IANTD, SSI, SDI/TDI. Certification from these agencies is generally accepted worldwide.The quality of training available depends more on the instructor and the school than the agency, as is the case in most parts of the world. South Africa has its share of quick turnover and never mind the standards, but also has some really good instructors. Read the standards and make sure you get what you pay for.
South Africa is also a destination of choice for Commercial diver training, as the certification is recognised by the International Diver Recognition Forum, and is much cheaper than in Europe.
Respect
Conservation and the poaching problem
There are concerns regarding the impact of sport diving on the reef ecology. Some of these may be legitimate, and study is necessary to test whether this is a real problem. The number of dives in the region has increased significantly over the years, but there is no reliable numerical data available. The number of sites has also increased, so the frequency of dives at most sites will not have increased proportionately.
Recreational divers are generally in favour of conservation, and as they are not permitted to collect or capture any marine life on Scuba in South African waters, generally do not consider themselves to make a significant environmental impact. There is evidence that some damage is done by contact with reef organisms and by disturbing the sediment. The question then, is how significant is this impact in comparison with other pressures?
The South African National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004 Technical Report indicates that "Non-Extractive Recreational Activities" has been identified as a potential threat to marine biodiversity.This category is ranked 7th of the nine categories and includes Diver based activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving and cage diving to view sharks, as one of five subcategories.The identification and ranking of the potential threats was made by "Summed Expert Ratings", a procedure similar to the scoring method for competitive dancing, gymnastics and similar sports.
The authors claim that it has been established that scuba diving and associated activities can cause significant damage to coral communities by destructive contact (anchoring and diver damage), resuspension of sediments and by hand-to-coral contact.They also mention that coral reefs in South Africa are confined to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park where anchoring or mooring is prohibited, and that current research has indicated that the coral reefs of this region have not experienced serious diver damage.
They also state that most divers cause very little damage to coral reefs although underwater photographers have been identified as a group that causes more damage to reefs than other users.
Their findings also show that the prevalence of predominantly soft corals on South African reefs makes them fairly resilient to diver damage.
Unfortunately the government department of Marine and Coastal Management has made use of this report and surveys on tropical coral reefs to support an effort to make money out of recreational diving on the reefs in all marine protected areas by imposing a permit system as a recreational diver tax. No surveys of temperate reefs can be produced to justify their claims that divers are a threat to the reef ecology, and it seems unlikely that their interference will benefit either the ecology or the diving industry.
At the time the policy was perceived as a thinly disguised attempt to tax what department political appointees appeared to see as a wealthy but politically powerless minority group. However, there was an immediate reaction by the recreational diving industry and the recreational divers who use the affected areas, to the effect that the proposed permit fees were reduced significantly and the industry is more united than it had ever been before. The non-profit organisation Underwater Africa was formed to represent the recreational divers and recreational diving industry and it has fought tirelessly for the rights of its constituency.
Even in its restricted scope the permit system may have damaged the industry, as a number of dive charter operators have subsequently gone out of business, and the main effect appears to be that divers are harassed by officials of MCM while poaching has increased.
There is no evidence that the permit system has achieved any of its stated aims of providing finance for improved conservation in the MPAs. It is questionable whether it even covers the cost of its own administration, and may be merely an employment opportunity for the otherwise unemployable.
Marine and Coastal Management has (2010) gone through a period of major change as the government split its responsibilities between two departments. Fisheries have been transferred to the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), and conservation has gone to Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). Internal turf wars at upper levels appear to be continuing to reduce effectiveness, and the working staff seem to have difficulty getting their jobs done. The most notorious of the previous management appear to have been transferred sideways rather than fired. So it goes.
Marine Protected Areas
A large number of the most popular dive sites of South Africa are in proclaimed Marine Protected Areas, and a permit is required to scuba dive in any MPA. The permits are valid for a year and are available at some branches of the Post Office. Temporary permits, valid for a month, are usually available at dive shops or from dive boat operators who operate in MPAs. The permits are not expensive, but the requirement to have them present at the site is an annoyance, as they are paper, and the printing on them states that the original permit, the invoice, and the holder's original identity document or passport must be produced on demand.
The department has officially specified that notarised copies are acceptable, but this information does not appear to have been passed on to their staff, who are frequently reported as insisting on the originals, and their generally uncouth and threatening attitude is notorious. The same personnel are seldom available to take action when complaints of poaching are made. It is not clear whether this is because the poachers tend to react violently to interference, while recreational divers have a long history of non-violence, or because they are on the take.
There have been accusations of corruption against personnel of MCM, which have not been cleared up, and the fact that a large part of the department's income derives from marine products confiscated from poachers is seen by many to be a conflict of interests, as this income would dry up if poaching was stopped.
It should probably be mentioned that the policies of MCM regarding recreational diving restrictions are in many cases not supported by members of their research staff, though obviously these are private opinions.
As of 2010 MCM has been split between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). The situation has not improved after the split, and it is not clear, apparently even to the personnel of the two departments, who is responsible for what in the field of marine conservation. Some political officials appear to be attempting to gain short term popularity by trying to open reserves to artisanal fishers, in complete contradiction of the conservation policies, and enforcement is no better than before. Poaching goes on unabated, and divers are still harassed because it is much safer than attempting to apprehend the poachers, who tend to be armed and dangerous.
Diving on wrecks
A lot of ships have been wrecked on South Africa's long, rugged and dangerous coastline during the last 500 years. Due to its strategic location on the historical trade route between Europe and the East, at least 2700 vessels are known to have sunk, grounded, been wrecked, abandoned or scuttled in South African waters.
Wrecks and their associated artifacts can be impressive and interesting sites for recreational scuba diving and underwater photography. The diversity of wrecks around the South African coast offers divers a wide range of sites to visit and explore. At the same time, historical wrecks are a unique, fragile and non-renewable cultural heritage resource of great archaeological value. We all have a responsibility to conserve this heritage for future generations.
Divers are free to visit most wreck sites, but should remember that they are privileged to have access to these sites, which are an important part of our collective cultural heritage.
The complex and delicate nature of wreck sites requires that divers are especially careful when visiting them. To preserve them for future generations to enjoy and learn from, it is important that you appreciate the importance of wrecks, dive responsibly and treat shipwrecks with care and respect.
Wrecks are also important habitats for marine life. Avoid damaging wrecks by carelessly touching them with your hands, knees or fins. The disturbance of protective coverings of sand, plant growth or the products of corrosion that have formed on wrecks can greatly increase the rate at which a wreck and its contents decay. This reduces the wreck's value as an historical resource and dive site and divers should avoid doing anything that will disturb the delicate equilibrium of a wreck site.
Anchoring into wrecks can cause severe damage to artifacts and the structure of the wreck. If you need to anchor, ensure that you do so well off the wreck. Remember that a wreck site is non-renewable, and won't regenerate like a damaged reef. Dive with care and leave the wreck as you found it.
Legal protection of wrecks
The wrecks of ships or aircraft, and any associated cargo, debris or artifact more than 60 years old and in South African waters are protected by the National Heritage Resources Act #25 of 1999 (NHRA). The law of salvage and finds does not apply to historical shipwrecks, which are considered by the NHRA to be archaeological material, and as such are the property of the state, administered by SAHRA in trust for the nation, and may not be disturbed in any way except under the terms of a permit issued by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).
There are severe penalties for contravening the Act, including heavy fines and jail terms. All members of the South African Police Services, and Customs and Excise officers may act as Heritage Inspectors in terms of the Act, with powers of search, confiscation and arrest.
Historical wrecks may be visited provided that the sites are not disturbed or interfered with and no artifacts are removed or damaged.Resist the temptation to take home souvenirs. Not only is it illegal to remove such material, but anything recovered from a wreck needs immediate conservation treatment or it will end up rotting away or disintegrating. Souvenir hunting strips sites of artifacts and the information they carry, and denies future divers the experience of diving on a well preserved wreck.
Take only photos, leave only bubbles!
Get help
- Emergency medical services vary in quality. Metro Rescue in Cape Town has a good reputation. However service will depend on availability of equipment and personnel. Hospital facilities also vary considerably, and most are understaffed.
- Recompression facilities are sparse. There are chambers in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria. However, those which exist and are available, are competently manned and kept in good condition. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is standard at these facilities.
- Divers Alert Network (DAN) has a branch in South Africa Their toll free line from within the country 0800 020 111, and regular line *27 (0)11 254 1112 will get you the 24-hour emergency hotline. If you are a DAN member and are involved in a diving accident, contact them first and they will make the necessary arrangements through whichever other organisations are most appropriate.
- National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) have stations near most places where seaside recreational activities are popular
- Underwater Africa[mrtva veza] "The CPR of diving: Conservation, Promotion and Representation”. Contact them if you have trouble getting a permit or are harassed by officials of MCM or other organisations. They may be able to help.
Ostati siguran
See also: South Africa#Stay safe
- Crime unfortunately is endemic to pretty much the whole country, but some parts are worse than others. Generally where there are more people there is more crime, but not always in direct proportion. South Africa has pretty good laws in general, but they do tend to protect the guilty more than the innocent, and as a result, enforcement often leaves a lot to be desired. Shortage of staff, indifference, and corruption within the enforcement bureaucracy also do not help.
- South African politicians have a reputation for corruption, generally not very competent corruption, but there appears to be a tendency towards greed, incompetence, nepotism and indifference towards the job. This tends to filter down though the bureaucracies. However, there are laws which are intended to deal with these problems, and blowing the whistle does not usually get the foreigner into trouble the way it can do in some other places. If you stand up to it they will often back off, failure to provide service is the most likely retaliation, and you can always go to the press. At this stage the press is free, though not always interested. The foreign traveller is often better off than the local inhabitant as they will get better publicity for complaints, and the official policy is to encourage tourism as it brings in money.
- Scuba diving permits are required by anyone who wishes to dive in a Marine Protected Area. These are available from some Post Offices in the vicinity of the MPAs, and are valid for all MPAs. They should be available over the counter for about R92. The Post Office does take credit cards though it is possible that some branches might not. You will be required to show your identity document or passport. The permit is on the same form as recreational fishing permits, and is not waterproof or water resistant, but you are expected to show it when requested by an inspector. A certified copy is authorised by Marine and Coastal management, the organisation issuing the permits, but this is contradicted by the text on the permit, and the enforcement officials appear to be unaware that the copy is acceptable. The documents have been reprinted and are being issued as of 2018. Carry the permit in your car, but don't bother to carry it on the boat, as no-one else will either.
- Pollution is a long-standing problem. Many municipalities do not provide adequate services, and in many places effluent is discharged in contravention of the law, by the authorities who should be preventing it. Industry can often arrange a blind eye to be turned when they discharge their wastes. A lot depends on who the major shareholders are and how much money is involved. Nevertheless, it is usually safe enough to dive along most of the coast. Specific regional problems will be detailed in the regional dive guides.
Hazardous marine organisms
These vary by region. Refer to the regional dive guide.
Breathing gas, safety and emergency equipment standards
- Compressed breathing air quality is required by law to comply with SANS 10019. This is of an internationally acceptable standard. The filling station is obliged to keep a record of the results of air quality testing on site and show them to a user on request. This requirement is not usually stringently enforced, nevertheless, where there is competition for business, the air is usually good.
- Compressor Operators who fill cylinders are legally required to be competent in terms of South African National Standard SANS 10019, but there is no requirement for certification, and this requirement is not often enforced. The CMAS-ISA Compressor operator certificate is generally considered within the recreational diving industry to be a sufficient indication of competence, though not a necessary one.
- Compressed breathing gas fills are required by SANS 458:2005 table A.1(b) item 4 to be within 5% of the nominal fill pressure corrected to 20°C, and it is illegal to fill a cylinder to a higher pressure than a developed pressure equivalent to the working pressure stamped on the cylinder at 20°C, corrected to actual temperature when filled. The pressure must be checked before you leave the filling station, or it will be virtually impossible to prove deficiency. All filling stations are required to provide an accurate and calibrated pressure gauge if requested. In practice the gauges are seldom recently calibrated.
- Scuba cylinder colour coding is prescribed by SANS 10019 to be canary yellow with a french grey shoulder. Nitrox and trimix cylinders should have been cleaned for oxygen service before first use with mixed gases, and be labeled for the service. Technically a commercial filling station may not fill a cylinder that is not the right colour or is not in date for visual inspection and hydrostatic tests. Privately owned, filled and used cylinders are not restricted in the same way.
- Nitrox fills will normally be mixed on demand, and the customer is expected to personally test or observe the test for oxygen content and sign for it. After that it is your own business what you do with it. You may be asked to show Nitrox certification, but that is up to the seller, and is not required by law. Cylinders to be filled with Nitrox are required by law to have a label showing the composition of the contents, but the specifications for the label are so mind bogglingly incompetent that filling stations may require more rationally useful labels than legally required. Most stations will accept cylinders with the old style labels, as they at least provide adequate information. Composition is usually written on masking tape with a waterproof marker and stuck to the shoulder of the cylinder. This may or may not be legal, as the authorised experts are not keen to admit either way, and it is the standard procedure.
- Cylinders to be filled with Trimix are also required to be labelled with the contents. The size and position of the label is specified, but it is not required to actually be visible, and it is a position commonly covered by tank bands if the cylinders are twinned. Additional labels which can actually be seen are not forbidden, and may be used.
- Cylinders dedicated to 100% oxygen for breathing must be black with a white shoulder, but Nitrox cylinders may be filled with 99% Oxygen, and Nitrox mixes only need to be analysed to the nearest 1% accuracy. If you have a Nitrox cylinder filled with Oxygen for decompression gas, label it as 99% and it will be legal.
- Medical oxygen specifically intended for surface first aid purposes should be carried in the official black cylinder with white shoulder. Most have a pin index valve, but this is not a legal requirement, and a bullnose fitting as is used on bulk cylinders, or a scuba pillar valve may also be used, depending on the regulator available. As it is not a legal requirement to carry medical oxygen on a dive boat, it is also not a requirement to use any specific type of regulator. The regulators marketed by DAN are popular, and possibly the best for purpose, as they allow 100% on demand for conscious users and can also supply free-flow to a medical mask for unconscious users. Other types may be diving regulators which will only supply a demand regulator, and some older free-flow systems intended for general first aid purposes.
- The law requires that cylinders which are to be filled with gas mixtures containing more than 23% oxygen must be cleaned before the first fill with such gas mixture. Filling stations often require that there is an Oxygen clean label on the cylinder if it is to be filled by partial pressure blending, but this is not a legal requirement.
- Oxygen is carried by most dive charter boats, and this is considered the industry standard, though not required by law.
- First aid kits are required by law to be carried on boats.
- Skippers of dive boats are required by law to be certified for the category of vessel they operate, and to have a diving endorsement to the certificate. This certificate must be carried on the boat, so you can expect to be shown it if you ask at a reasonable time. If the boat is launched through the surf, the skipper's certificate must also be endorsed for surf launching. Unfortunately the certificate does not guarantee competence, but most of the skippers get good or get out.
- Skippers are also required to be trained in basic first aid, but this is very basic and does not include decompression illness.
- Dive boats are obliged by law to carry safety equipment and pass a safety inspection every year. This is shown by a certificate and a decal on the boat.
- Vessels used for any commercial purpose must be licensed or registered in terms of the Merchant Shipping Act.
- Small craft licensing: You can recognise and identify a licensed vessel by the license number it must display on the sides. The number consists of a prefix identifying the licensing authority, followed by a number identifying the vessel, and any applicable category letters.
- South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) uses DT plus a letter identifying the port of origin. DTC is Cape Town. The number may be followed by a class letter indicating the waters the boat is licensed and equipped to operate in.
- South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA) uses club identification prefixes.
- South African Sailing (SAS) uses SA for sailing vessels and ZA for motor vessels
- South African Small Craft Association (SASCA) uses U followed by the category and then the number.
- South African Institute for Skippers (SAIS) uses A
- South African Police Service (SAPS) uses SAPS
- Small craft licensing: You can recognise and identify a licensed vessel by the license number it must display on the sides. The number consists of a prefix identifying the licensing authority, followed by a number identifying the vessel, and any applicable category letters.
Ostati zdrav
- Malaria is endemic to some regions in the north east of the country. For divers this is mainly northern KwaZulu-Natal.
- Bilharzia is also endemic to some regions on the east coast, but only affects fresh water, so is not generally a problem to divers.
- HIV is widespread. However it is not really a particular problem for recreational divers.
 | COVID-19 information: Recreational scuba is not allowed during level 5 or 4 lock down. The rules for level 3 lock down are less clear, but the use of private boats for self-drive excursion activities for recreational scuba is permitted by the Department of Environmental Affairs, subject to the existing permit conditions. Use of rental scuba equipment may be a health risk as there does not appear to be any consensus on effective measures to reliably disinfect scuba equipment that do not damage the equipment. Check with the shop how they disinfect equipment between users, and check whether what they do is recognised as effective against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. |
| (Information last updated 25 Jun 2020) |
Raditi
A recreational diving certification does not qualify you to work as a diver except as recreational divemaster or instructor. All other underwater work done for reward or as part of your employment requires registration as a commercial diver, or a recognised foreign equivalent. This includes scientific diving, including for your own postgraduate research at most universities, and at all research institutions.
The recreational diving industry is specifically excluded from the scope of the South African Department of Employment and Labour's Diving Regulations, but not from the rest of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its other relevant regulations.
Citizen science data collection, whether entirely autonomous, or as part of an organised project, is not considered to be within the scope of the diving regulations provided that each diver is personally responsible for the planning and execution of all their dives, and not under the direction of any other person regarding the safety of the dive.
Learn
Recreational diver training
All major diving centres in South Africa have recreational diver training schools. Most of the major international diver certification agencies are represented in South Africa. See also the regional dive guides for local details.
These include:
- PADI
- NAUI
- CMAS
- SSI
- IANTD
- TDI/SDI
- RAID
Technical diver training
Technical diver training is available at the major centres such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, and at Badgat, also marketed as Komati Springs, where the site is suitable for deep and cave diving throughout the year. Rebreather training is available, but only where there is an instructor certified to train the specific equipment. This varies from time to time.
Commercial diver training
(Including scientific diving and public safety diving)
The South African Department of Employment and Labour certifications in Commercial Diving are recognised by the International Diver Recognition and Certification Forum. Divers holding certification that is recognised by the IDRCF may legally work as commercial divers in countries represented on the forum, provided that other visa and work permit conditions are complied with.
There is not a great deal of commercial diving work in South Africa, and the pay is not very good by world standards, but the training is cheaper than in most other countries on the IDRCF, and as a result South Africa has become a training destination for foreign commercial divers. Learner divers from Europe have commented that the cost of training at home covers the training costs, medical examination, travel and living expenses and enough change for an additional vacation in South Africa. South African commercial diver training is also popular with learner divers from many countries where there is no officially sanctioned commercial diver training system, and the certification, though there is no guarantee of employment, allows the holder to apply for lucrative work in the international offshore petrochemical industry.
A reasonable ability to communicate in English is a prerequisite, and medical fitness to dive must be verified by a medical practitioner registered as a Diving Medical Practitioner with the South African Department of Employment and Labour. Foreign medical certificates of fitness to dive are not recognised for commercial diving.
Read
- Branch, G. and Branch, M. 1981, The Living Shores of Southern Africa, Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 0-86977-1159
- Branch, G.M. Griffiths,C.L. Mranch, M.L and Beckley, L.E. Revised edition 2010, Two Oceans – A guide to the marine Life of Southern Africa, David Philip, Cape Town. ISBN 978 1 77007 772 0
- Gosliner, T. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Arica, Sea Challengers & Jeff Hamann, Monterey. ISBN 0930118138
- Heemstra, P. and Heemstra E. 2004, Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa, NISC/SAIAB, Grahamstown.
- Ed. Smith, M.M. and Heemstra, P. 2003 Smith’s Sea Fishes. Struik, Cape Town. (Authoritative, large and expensive)
Regional references
West Coast
- Stegenga, H. Bolton, J.J. and Anderson, R.J. 1997, Seaweeds of the South African West Coast. Bolus Herbarium, Cape Town. ISBN 079921793X (rather technical)
Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula and environs
KwaZulu-Natal
- De Clerck, O. Bolton, J.J. Anderson, R.J. and Coppejans, E. 2005,Guide to the seaweeds of KwaZulu-Natal Scripta Botanica Belgica; vol 33, National Botanic Gardens, Meise, Belgium. ISBN 9072619641
- King, D. 1996 Reef Fishes and Corals: East coast of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 1868259811
- King, D. and Fraser, V. 2002, More Reef Fishes and Nudibranchs, Struik, Cape Town, ISBN 186872686X