Fuvahmulah
AdvancedProtea Banks
A deep reef built for shark divers.
- Depth
- 27–40 m
- Visibility
- 10–30 m
- Water
- 18–26 °C
- Current
- Strong
- Best time
- Year-round
- Signature life
- Bull (Zambezi) sharks
The dive
Why dive Protea Banks
A deep offshore reef that is all about sharks — a roll-call of bull, tiger, hammerhead and raggie depending on the month. Not a beginner's dive.
Marine life
Bull (Zambezi) sharksTiger sharksScalloped hammerheadsRagged-tooth sharksGame fish
Dive profile
SharkDeepDrift
When to go
Best time: Year-round (species by season)
Different sharks by season — hammerheads and tigers in summer, raggies and bull sharks in winter. Always deep, always advanced.
Readiness
Who it suits
Master-level site — suits experienced Rescue / Master divers. Typical requirements:
Rescue / Master preferredDeepDriftNitrox recommended
Not sure you're ready? Read our readiness guide or check yourself in the planner.
Logistics
Getting there & staying
| Getting there | Domestic flight + ~1.5 hr drive; surf launch. Fly to Durban (DUR), drive to Shelly Beach (~1.5 hrs); surf-zone RIB launches. |
|---|---|
| Where to stay | Coastal lodge. Shelly Beach / Margate lodges on the KZN south coast. |
| Operator to look for | Master-rated operators only — deep, strong-current, baited shark diving offshore. |
Sources
Further reading
- Protea Banks Marine Protected Area Wikipedia
- Protea banks Wikipedia
Links checked 29 September 2026. They cover the site's location, protection status and background. Costs, difficulty and season windows are ScubaRogue's editorial estimates, so confirm them with your operator before you book. How we research
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