South Africa is a very large country and, as it sounds, the southernmost country in Africa, with a coastline stretching more than 2,500 km and along two oceans. South Africa is the 24th largest country in the world but only the ninth largest in Africa.

Pretoria is the administrative capital, while Cape Town, the seat of parliament and the legislative capital, is the administrative capital. Bloemfontein is considered the judicial capital. The largest and most populous city is Johannesburg, followed by Cape Town and Durban.

Mafadi in the Drakensberg is the country's highest mountain and the highest peak is a whopping 3,450 meters above sea level. South Africa's most important rivers include the Orange-Senqu River, the country's longest, and the Limpopo River. The presence of crocodiles in the Limpopo River is so significant that one of the two rivers that supply Limpopo with water is named the Crocodile River.

Just southwest of Johannesburg lies the Vredefort dome, the Earth's largest and oldest known structure after a meteorite impact, formed approximately 2 billion years ago. In 2025, South Africa was voted the fourth best country in the world for tourism.

How much does a diving trip to South Africa cost?

It is very difficult to say exactly how much a diving trip to South Africa costs without more information. What do you want it to include, how long do you want to be away, etc.
There is many variables and you can find them here on our website. Otherwise, as a guideline, a good diving trip to South Africa costs from 35-50,000 SEK and upwards for flights, transfers, accommodation and diving. Contact us at Scuba Travel and request a free proposal for more details and a more accurate price for your diving trip to South Africa.

When is the best time to go to South Africa?

You can actually go to South Africa all year round. The best time to visit South Africa, according to many, depends on what you want to see and experience and different activities. Generally speaking, May to September is ideal for going on various safaris and visiting game parks etc. The dry season makes it easier to stay outside in the parks. The wetter period November to March is best for visiting Cape Town, for example. The coast in the east during the spring and summer months for pleasant weather and beaches. For a combination of good weather and wildlife, consider the transitional months of September and October. While most of the country experiences summer rainfall, the Western Cape, with its Mediterranean climate, normally has wet winters and dry summers.

The best time to dive in South Africa varies by region, but generally November to April offers warm water and clear visibility for general diving. While May to September is ideal for shark diving in Cape Town's False Bay and experiencing the Sardine Run in KwaZulu-Natal. For diving in the Protea Banks, Aliwal Shoal and other locations on the east coast, the best visibility is often from October to August.

o Spring, September – November
o Summer, December – February
o Autumn, March – May
o Winter, June – August

What can I see when diving in South Africa?

When diving in South Africa you have a unique opportunity to see and experience the famous Sardine Run off the “wild coast”. An annual spectacle that cannot be described but must be experienced. There are also tropical coral reefs and diverse marine life at Sodwana Bay. You will find abundant sharks and healthy thriving reefs at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. Here you can see exciting rock formations and canyons and less endemic shark species in Mossel Bay. The Western Cape, including Cape Town and False Bay, offers fantastic kelp forests, wrecks and a chance to see different types of sharks. The small pyjama shark and many more and a rich marine life. Port Elizabeth has wrecks and an exciting coastal landscape. A day trip straight south in the middle of the ocean can offer encounters with blue sharks and mako sharks.

Animals and nature

South Africa is a great destination for experiencing diverse nature and wildlife, from the iconic Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo) to unique flora and marine life in coastal areas. You can go on safari, whale watching and visit national parks to see different ecosystems and species. There are also unique endemic birds and African penguins. With more than 22,000 different vascular plants, or about 9% of all known plant species on Earth, South Africa is particularly rich in plant diversity.

The country is ranked sixth out of the world’s seventeen megadiverse countries. South Africa’s marine fauna includes a variety of species. The African penguin, the hooded seal, the dolphin, the southern right whale and the great white shark, together are often referred to as the “big five” of the sea. The country has an incredibly rich marine ecosystem with over 13,000 marine species and is a prime location for observing migrating sardines during the annual Sardine Run. As an added bonus, all the species that hunt the sardines – one of nature’s most spectacular spectacles.

Where is the best diving in South Africa?

The “best” diving in South Africa depends on personal preference, but the best places are considered by most to include Sodwana Bay for tropical coral reefs and marine life, Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal for world-class shark diving, and False Bay for encounters with great white sharks and swimming in exciting kelp forests where you can experience a variety of shark species including the cute little pyjama shark.

Is there liveaboarding in South Africa?

No, there are no liveaboards in South Africa. All diving is done directly from land or by boat that takes you out to dive sites for the day's diving. For those of you who want to go on a liveaboard to another destination or are considering alternatives for diving in South Africa, contact us with your wishes and concerns on tel: 0301-22100 – Departures

Great species richness

South Africa's waters are home to a rich marine life, including whales, such as southern right whales and humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, several species of sharks and cartilaginous fish. There are many different fish species here, including endemic mountain hagfish and sardines. There are also many invertebrates such as sponges and jellyfish, corals, crustaceans, squid and other mollusks. The biodiversity is due to the confluence of the Indian, Atlantic and Southern Oceans, which creates different ecosystems from warm currents in the Indian Ocean on the east coast to cooler waters in the Atlantic in the west.

For those of you who don't dive

If you are not diving in South Africa you can still explore the vibrant marine life through activities such as snorkelling, glass bottom boat tours. You can also experience the famous Sardine Run from a boat or jump in and snorkel. You can also visit the many marine reserves, explore the coastal towns. Why not take part in an introductory “Discover Scuba Diving” - try your hand at diving?

It's an experience if you're comfortable in the water but not ready for certification but would like to give it a try. Other activities include going on a game drive or safari. Take a road trip along the beautiful Garden Route or Panorama Route. Go wine tasting in Stellenbosch, hike Table Mountain or the Drakensberg. Explore cultural sites like the Apartheid Museum or Robben Island. You can go whale watching, sand boarding, visit botanical gardens or try adventurous activities like bungee jumping or rappelling.