WE LAUNCH DAILY FOR PROTEA BANKS ON OUR  BOAT 'MAJIKADUZE!

Inspiring quote: 'Two thirds of the earth is covered with water and anyone who does not dive has been short changed by life and has seen only part of what our planet has to offer'. - From the Lens Jones's Guide to Spearfishing.

AQUA PLANET is the premier dive centre in KwaZulu Natal. Situated in SHELLY BEACH on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast, we operate a comprehensive dive centre - with a few extras!

Our experienced instructors, who are passionate about diving, offer PADI and NAUI courses from beginner to professional and a full range of specialties - Including the Sharklife Shark speciality courses. This is all done with safety in mind and with courses starting daily, designed around your schedule, AQUA PLANET offers a personalized and unforgettable dive experience. For qualified divers, the dive sites are numerous - Protea Banks and Shelly Beach inshore reefs, Durban, Aliwal Shoal, Wrecks and the Aquarium at uShaka Marine World. 

With our new 7,2m dive duck 'Majikaduze' you are assured of a great diving experience in Shelly Beach.   As well as chartering to Protea Banks, we are also doing some of the shallower inshore reefs off Shelly Beach.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always ready to assist you, and with our full range of equipment we are sure to meet all your scuba, snorkeling and spearfishing needs. Make AQUA PLANET your one-stop dive shop!

Our comfortable Toyoto Condor 4x4 can accomodate you with customised transfers at a reasonable rate.

So, whether you are with us for a day or a fortnight our team can tailor a package to satisfy your aquatic needs.

SHELLY BEACH AS IT HAS NEVER BEEN DIVED BEFORE

Aqua Planet Dive Centre and Charter has been in business for more than 13 years running a successful retail store and dive school (offering both PADI and NAUI courses).  Last year we decided to expand:  we bought a boat, revamped the shop and bought a vehicle to do transfers.  As well a having a full retail store and dive school, we will now run a dive charter to Protea Banks and local reefs off Shelly Beach.

Having been around for so long and having done many dives off Protea Banks before buying a boat, we believe we have mastered the way to dive Protea Banks, with safety being our number one priority.  We have run the boat for 9 months now and have had great success.  All our divers rave about our service and the way we dive Protea Banks.

With the revamp we have installed hot showers.  Coffee is also provided after the dive.  We purchased new Aqualung kit for our hired equipment and all hired kit has a deploy buoy in the BC.  Suckers and bottled water are provided on the boat after the dive.

All our Divemasters have mastered Protea Banks.  Our Divemasters wait a 5m to make sure all divers can get down, this ensures that all divers are kept together and that all problems are sorted out beforehand.  We insist on at least two people surfacing together, and hook up buddy teams that are low on air first, to surface together.  With groups that have not dived Protea Banks before and a bit nervous, we provide a ‘Safety Diver’ on request, just to provide a bit more attention for the group and assist with those going up earlier.

Our highly experienced Skippers are also Instructors so understand the needs of divers.

DIVE SITES:

PROTEA BANKS:

PROTEA BANKS offers an exceptionally exciting specialty SHARK dive.  Situated 7,5km off Shelly Beach, on the KwaZulu Natal's South Coast, PROTEA BANKS allows ADVANCED divers the opportunity to experience a shark dive that is completely unique.

During the summer months the Bull Shark (Zambezi) makes PROTEA BANKS its home. Hammerheads are often seen overhead and not just one or two, we are talking hundreds .... yes hundreds. Guitar Sharks, Dusky and Blacktips frequent this reef with a select few getting the privilege of seeing the elusive Tiger Shark.

In the winter months the Ragged-Tooth Sharks congregate on PROTEA BANKS to mate.

Aside from sharks PROTEA BANKS, also boasts a vast number of gamefish such as Barracuda, Snappers, Yellowtail, Kingfish and Potato Bass to name but a few.  Rays are also a common sighting.

BAITED SHARK dives are now done on Protea Banks, with great success with Zambezi and Blacktips being the most common sharks seen on these dives.

SOUTHERN PINNACLES:  Depth 26 to 40m

Dived mainly in the summer months, this site is home to the notorious Bull Shark (Zambezi) which brings a great deal of notoriety to this world-renowned dive location.  Other sharks frequenting PROTEA BANKS include Hammerheads, Blacktips, Dusky, Guitar Sharks and a variety of rays.  For a fortunate few there is even the possibility of sighting the Tiger Shark.

NORTHERN PINNACLES:  Depth 28 to 38m

This site, normally dived in winter months during the Ragged-Tooth mating season, allows divers to view "Raggies" in close proximity on their annual migration route. The area consists of two cave systems in which the "Raggies" congregate. At times it is impossible to see the mouth of the caves as it is completely obscured by masses of sharks!

DEEP SALMON:   28m

DEEP SALMON is a pristine reef for those wishing to see Nudibranchs and reef fish.  With caves, overhangs and coral structures, it is not to be missed for those interested in photographing the smaller things and exploring all the nooks and crannies.  With Aqua Planet being the only dive charter in the area in the diving here, you are assured of a unique diving experience, without overcrowding.  Better viz when dived out of the rainy season.  ADVANCED qualification needed.

BOBOYI:  18m

BOBOYI is ‘treasure hunt’, with stunning structure and something new in every nook and cranny.  With and abundance of Nudibranchs and reef fish, this is a reef dive you want to experience.  Again being the only dive charter in the area to do the dive, you are assured of a unique experience.  Although it only lies at 18m, it is advised to only dive this when you have a bit of sea diving experience behind you as there are often currents. Better viz when dived out of the rainy season.

ORANGE ROCKS, SAVANNAH and FISH AND CHIPS:   10 to 18m

Used as training dives for our Open Water divers, these dives offer a great diving experience for first timers in the sea. All totally different, they offer something for everyone.  Better viz when dived out of the rainy season.

Due to currents and depth, Protea Banks is reserved for experienced Advanced divers, please adhere to this.

PACKAGES FOR DIVING WITH

AQUA PLANET DIVE CENTRE AND CHARTER

 IN SHELLY BEACH

TROPICAL BEACH BOUTIQUE BED AND BREAKFAST ****

Superbly situated on the beachfront close to Aqua Planet Dive Centre and Charter.  Tropical Beach Bed and Breakfast is set in a lush indigenous garden and all bedroom suites are beautifully decorated and exude an air of tranquility. Equipped with tea/coffee facilities, ceiling fans and secure alarm systems, this is perfect for the smaller group wanting a ‘home away from home’.

Breakfast is served alfresco overlooking the beach, with a wonderful selection of culinary delights to start your day.

You will find yourself completely at ease staying at the Tropical Beach Bed and Breakfast with your accommodating hosts, making sure that your stay is a memorable one.

3 NIGHT/5 DIVE PACKAGE AT TROPICAL BEACH

3 Nights including breakfast and 5 dives including cyl hire

(4 Protea Banks and 1 Deep Salmon/Boboyi/Savannah)

R3000-00 per person sharing per diver

R1470-00 per person sharing, including breakfast - NON DIVER

Single supplement is an extra R490-00 per night.  Upgrade from any dive to a Baited shark dive is R600-00 extra per person, per dive.

2 NIGHT/3 DIVE PACKAGE AT TROPICAL BEACH

2 Nights including breakfast and 3 dives including cyl hire

(2 Protea Banks and 1 Deep Salmon/Boboyi/Savannah)

R1850-00 per person sharing per diver

R980-00 per person sharing,  including breakfast – NON DIVER

Single supplement is an extra R490-00 per night.  Upgrade from any dive to a Baited Shark dive is R600-00 extra per person, per dive.

 THE MARGATE HOTEL  ***

Margate Hotel, about a 10 minute drive from Aqua Planet Dive Centre and Charter, is a boutique hotel offering luxury accommodation conveniently situated in the heart of this popular holiday destination.  Positioned on one of Kwazulu Natal’s blue flag beaches and within minutes from night clubs, shops, restaurants and all year sunshine.  Why not let the staff at Margate Hotel help you to relax and enjoy your stay.

A few of the specialised onsite facilities offered at the Margate Hotel include: pool, room service and an onsite restaurant.  Margate Hotel is perfect for larger groups.

Between dives a brunch will be enjoyed at The Shelly Beach Ski Boat Base overlooking the launch site.

3 NIGHT/5 DIVE PACKAGE AT THE MARGATE HOTEL

3 Nights including brunch and 5 dives including cyl hire

(4 Protea Banks and 1 Deep Salmon/Boboyi/Savannah)

R2700-00 per person sharing, per diver

R1200-00 per person sharing, including brunch – NON DIVER

Single supplement is an extra R300-00 per night.  Upgrade from any dive to a Baited shark dive is R600-00 extra per person, per dive.

2 NIGHT/3 DIVE PACKAGE AT MARGATE HOTEL

2 Nights including brunch and 3 dives including cyl hire

(2 Protea Banks and 1 Deep Salmon/Boboyi/Savannah)

R1700-00 per person sharing per diver

R800-00 per person sharing, including brunch – NON DIVER

Single supplement is an extra R300-00 per night.  Upgrade from any dive to a Baited Shark dive is R600-00 extra per person, per dive.

 THE SPOT BACKPACKERS, UMTENTWENI

This little spot is a hidden treasure right on the beach in Umtentweni and only a 15 minute drive from Aqua Planet Dive Centre and Charter.  To fully appreciate the South Coast, join them for a few tropical nights.  Dorms and private rooms available.

Facilities

• Self catering kitchen
  Fully equiped kitchen with everything you need to cook a feast...
• Licenced bar
  Where the fun happens, with a pool table & table tennis table...
• Internet access
  The pace may be leisurely here, but our internet access is fast...

Between dives a brunch will be enjoyed at The Shelly Beach Ski Boat Base overlooking the launch site.

3 NIGHT/5 DIVE PACKAGE AT THE SPOT

3 Nights including brunch and 5 dives including cyl hire

(4 Protea Banks and 1 Deep Salmon/Boboyi/Savannah)

R2150-00 per person sharing a dorm, per diver

R540-00 per person sharing a dorm, including brunch - NON DIVER

Upgrade to a private room is an extra R100-00 per person per night.  Upgrade from any dive to a Baited shark dive is R600-00 extra per person, per dive.

2 NIGHT/3 DIVE PACKAGE AT THE SPOT

2 Nights including breakfast and 3 dives including cyl hire

(2 Protea Banks and 1 Deep Salmon/Boboyi/Savannah)

R1290-00 per person sharing a dorm, per diver

R360-00 per person sharing a dorm, including brunch - NON DIVER

Upgrade to a private room is an extra R100-00 per person per night.  Upgrade from any dive to a Baited Shark dive is R600-00 extra per person, per dive.

DISCOVER SCUBA ALSO AVAILABLE IN OUR HEATED TANK OUTSIDE OUR SHOP:

                                                                                                                             2011-03-29

Dear Crystal

Yesterday we visited the Shelly Beach mall and surrounding shops. With two teenagers...needless to say, fun and new experiences are the key for this holiday. We noticed that an introduction to scuba diving was offered by means of a shallow dive tank. Upon enquiry we were greeted with your friendly face. Initially only two of us had the courage to do it.

It soon became apparent that you have enough passion, patience and motivation for all of us. There is a saying “believe in others, until they believe in themselves”... Your gentle approach towards us soon let a third participant join in. Once in the tank with the youngest of our group, it came clear that you did your best to make us at ease and we want to thank you for that. The remaining other two members were convinced and soon joined in after the safety instructions and video. We had one-on-one sessions in the tank, and we knew that we were in good hands because you were in control.

Your professionalism and caring nature soon let everybody trust you enough to overcome our fear of breathing under water. With two children and three adults, you made sure that we were confident enough before descending and you always kept a close eye on any signs of discomfort.

For each of us it was our first attempt at scuba, and we all walked away with wonderful memories. We are grateful and thank you for making our first time so enjoyable.

Thank you

Tessa Pienaar, Tanya and Chantelle Pretorius (Vanderbijlpark)

Johan and Rhona Breytenbach(Pretoria).