Cathedral
Conditions & tides
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Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
Cathedral is a dive site on the eastern edge of Aliwal Shoal, off Umkomaas on the KwaZulu-Natal coast. It is a spectacular hole in the reef, and a 4m arch of rock marks the best area for spotting ragged-tooth sharks. The average depth is 27 metres, the site is rated advanced, and boats are launched from the Umkomaas river mouth.
In the ragged-tooth season, up to 40 of these placid sharks can be seen resting within the amphitheatre. When they leave, large stingrays take up residence, and moray eels make their home here. Hammerheads can be seen above the site during the summer months.
The site should be dived very cautiously when there is a surge. Great care should also be taken not to cause undue disturbance to the sharks.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Narrow-banded Spanish MackerelScomberomorus commersonReported here · unconfirmed
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacaresReported here · unconfirmed
False JacobeverSebastes capensisReported here · unconfirmed
Hammerhead sharkHammerhead sharkReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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