What will I see at Northern Pinnacles, Aliwal Shoal?

Divers at Northern Pinnacles, Aliwal Shoal in South Africa commonly report sightings of Banded coral shrimp, Green turtle, Paper fish, Pineapplefish, and Potato bass. Banded coral shrimp is recorded as common sightings, while Green turtle, Paper fish, Pineapplefish, and Potato bass are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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Northern Pinnacles, Aliwal Shoal

KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaDirections

3mm wetsuit typical

Northern Pinnacles, Aliwal Shoal at a glance

Northern Pinnacles, Aliwal Shoal is a dive site in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Divers commonly see Banded coral shrimp, Green turtle, and Paper fish. Recent reports put the water around 23°C (74°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 6:00–19:00 · favorable

Forecast for this hour · 20:00 · run 1 h ago

1.8 m (5.8 ft)waves — about two meters expected (waves — about six feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 23°C · seasonal avg 23°C ( · Forecast 74°F · seasonal avg 73°F)

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Mon

Sun

1.6 m waves · 12 kn wind (5.2 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Mon

1.4 m waves · 5 kn wind (4.5 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Tue

2.2 m waves · 13 kn wind (7.3 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Wed

1.9 m waves · 6 kn wind (6.1 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Thu

1.5 m waves · 8 kn wind (4.9 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Fri

1.5 m waves · 13 kn wind (5.0 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Sat

1.8 m waves · 14 kn wind (6.0 ft waves · 14 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 4:42 · Sunrise 5:07 · Sunset 18:13 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 13 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 19:20 GMT+2

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Northern Pinnacles, Aliwal Shoal

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Banded coral shrimp, Honeycomb moray eel, Goldies / anthias

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

January, 4% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 2.3 m (7.7 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
February, 1% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 2.5 m (8.1 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
March, 1% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 2.6 m (8.6 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
April, 4% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 2.8 m (9.0 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
May, 3% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 2.7 m (8.8 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
June, 4% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (74°F), waves have typically been 3.0 m (9.8 ft), wind has typically been 21 knots
July, 1% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 3.0 m (9.9 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
August, 1% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 3.1 m (10.2 ft), wind has typically been 24 knots
September, 0% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 3.2 m (10.4 ft), wind has typically been 23 knots
October, 0% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 3.1 m (10.0 ft), wind has typically been 24 knots
November, 3% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 2.6 m (8.5 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots
December, 4% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 2.4 m (7.8 ft), wind has typically been 22 knots

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.