SIYAKWAMUKELA – the South Coast Welcomes You

DIVES & ACCOMMODATION

Dive prices include transfers to the beach, dive leader, return transfer, coffee at dive centre

DIRECTIONS TO THE DIVE SITE The Dive Site, with superb sea views, is located in the popular Umkomaas diving village on the Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast, and within striking distance of all the shark, tropical reef and wreck diving at Aliwal Shoal & Rocky Bay. Only 45 minutes drive South from Durban city centre. Take N2 South, past the old airport and Amanzimtoti. Then take Umkomaas turnoff - please email for a map and GPS co-ords ! Photo right - kit up area, accommodation and restaurant on top.

DIVE LAUNCH TIMES

Weekdays: Meet at the dive centre at 7 am for 8 am launch. Sometimes this is a double tank dive.

Weekends: Meet at the dive centre one hour before launch times. Rebreather divers please arrive earlier: 7 am; 9 am; 11 am; 13 pm.

The launch is via the river or beach, through the surf, on an 8m zodiac, which holds 11 divers and the skipper. Enjoy a short 15 minute ride out to the famous Aliwal Shoal for your reef or wreck dive. Downtime is usually one hour, and the turnaround time from launch to beaching takes about 2 hours.

Your dive is lead by an experienced Dive master or Instructor on every dive. Most of the dives are drift dives and we usually decide where to go on the morning of the dive, depending on currents, wind, diver experience etc
 

THE BOATS 8m semi-rigid super ducks/zodiacs (RIB) powered by two 85 hp Yamaha outboard motors. On board is full safety equipment in accordance with DAN Safety Partner standards, including lifejackets to use while travelling through the surf zone, emergency oxygen, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, radio, GPS. THE DIVE AREA The dive area is conveniently situated just back from the ocean on a hill giving panoramic sea views. Watch the boats going out and back from Aliwal Shoal, or watch the whales in the winter months, and dolphins riding the surf throughout the year.

WE OFFER

Safe enclosed parking
Large outside area to kit up
Dive gear for hire – pre-booked
Restaurant on site with sea views
Hot Showers
Gear storage room
Friendly staff to help with all equipment
Wash bays for kit and camera equipment
Budget accommodation on site

WHO ARE WE?

The main members: Barry Coleman (Dive Examiner & Trimix Rebreather Instructor) and Celia Coleman (Diving Instructor) together have many years of combined experience and instructing in the diving industry and can ensure that your diving experiences are safe, easy and fun! For regular social dives, we lead the dives every Saturday morning - meet at 8 am for the 9 am launch to new and exciting reefs recently found by Barry, on Aliwal Shoal right down to Castle Reef off Scottburgh. We also launch from Rocky Bay. !

TRANSFERS

King Shaka Airport to Umkomaas – private transport:
1 person one way R550
2 people one way R340 pp

Durban City Centre to Umkomaas - privat transport:
2 people one way R220 pp

The Baz Bus – country wide - www.bazbus.com
Margate Mini Coach – from Airport to Wild Coast Sun - www.margate.co.za/minicoach.htm
Car Hire – Budget, Hertz, Euro, Tempest etc
Transfers from your accommodation to the dive site can be arranged prior to arrival.


NON-DIVING INTERESTS

There are also a number of other activities to do in the afternoons like Oribi Gorge. Enjoy the highest fun events in the world – swing out across the waterfall in a 100m arc; slide across the 170m gorge, abseil 110m or enjoy water rafting, mountain biking, horse riding, the Crock farm, Tala game park lunch and drive: and extra Add-on tours to: Shaka Land cultural experience, Safari Game Parks, Valley of 1000 Hills, Ushaka Marine world, Sharks Board, city tours, Sani Pass, Giants Castle/Bushmans Paintings, Battle fields just a few to keep you busy! The closest swimming beach with lifeguards is in Scottburgh, just 10 minutes drive south by car.


PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY

Electronic transfer into Nedbank Account is preferred to confirm your booking, otherwise your credit card details are needed to confirm the dive / accommodation. Please cancel at least 24 hours in advance to get a refund or to defer. No refunds will be given, once you have confirmed your dives, that is, for last minute seasickness, colds, sunburnt, hangovers or headaches. Thank you for understanding!


ACCOMMODATION

We can offer various accommodation in and around Umkomaas ranging from budget accommodation R180 pp (on-site) to BnB and self catering from R250 – R450 pp sharing. The various photos below are of the standard of accommodation offered....

1) Widenham Accommodation - 8 minutes away

Rates: R350 pp sharing, en-suite. R300 pp sharing with private en-suite, including breakfast.

The garden boasts a large swimming pool with breathtaking views of the sea, breakers and beach, undercover, tastefully decorated and relaxing patio, which can be accessed by 3 of the 4 bedrooms through private patio doors. The house comprises of 4 comfortable bedrooms, all air conditioned with flat screen TV’s, Hairdryers, tea and coffee making facilities, king size beds which can be converted to twin beds on prior request. A private guest lounge, TV room with plasma screen and bar area – all air-conditioned for your exclusive use.

A number of DVD’s, games, cards and books are available for your entertainment. The lounge, TV and bar area all lead out onto stunning deck and undercover patio, cold filtered water and ice are always on tap in the bar area. Fax facilities, telephone and wireless internet available. Your full English breakfast is served in our private and elegant dining room, or on the deck if preferred, evening meal and light lunches are available on request. Private off road secure parking area with automated gates provided.

2) Umkomaas Accommodation - 2 minutes away

Rates: R330 per person sharing including breakfast. Single R430

The accommodation is a 4 star guest house and is AA highly recommended. It overlooks the golf course, with sea views. There is a huge swimming pool for guests. There are 6 rooms including a family room, each having en-suite bath/shower room, air conditioned, TV & video bar fridge, hospitality tray, tea & coffee facilities

3) Self Catering Apartments -10 minutes away

Rates: R250 per person sharing; R350 single person

Three private self catering apartments, with panoramic sea views. Private deck overlooking sugar cane fields towards the sea, Braai/BBQ area. Secure parking at the back. Pool available for guests. Self Catering units – all have fantastic sea views, own entrance and balcony:

6 sleeper - one double bed room, one twin bed room en-suite, 2 people in lounge on pull down couch. Full bathroom; all linen and towels supplied. Safe; fully fitted tiled open plan kitchen with all cutlery, crockery, microwave, stove and fridge/freezer, 6 seater breakfast table. The lounge has TV/DVD/VCR. Sliding doors lead out to tiled area with built in BBQ facility, and 6 seater bench with sea views.

4 Sleeper – double bed room, twin bed room, and facilities as above
2 Sleeper – one bedroom unit, facilities as above.

4) On Site Accommodation

Rates: R180 per person per night in a twin/double bed room; R255 single supplement.

Stylish bedsitter and back packer accommodation at the dive site. Each room has its own patio outside looking onto the grass where the divers kit up. Panoramic sea views. 1 x double en-suite room with toilet and basin only. The other rooms share the stylish communal shower rooms. The restaurant is above the rooms.
We have a few more to offer not listed.

These prices are subject to changes and availability. Please email Celia@Meridiandive.com for further information and accommodation photos.

These prices are subject to changes and availability. Please email Celia@Meridiandive.com for for further information and accommodation photos.

SCUBA DIVE SOUTH AFRICA!