Ta članek je namenjen že kvalificiranemu potapljaču z informacijami, ki vam bodo pomagale pri načrtovanju potopi v vodah Južne Afrike, bodisi kot lokalni prebivalec ali obiskovalec. Informacije so na voljo brez poseganja in niso zajamčene točne ali popolne. Uporabite ga na lastno odgovornost. Informacije so predvsem o rekreacijskih potapljaških mestih, lahko pa so koristne tudi potapljaču na dah z masko ali potapljaču.
Če iščete informacije o usposabljanju in certificiranju za rekreativnega potapljača, glejte članek o potapljanje za splošne informacije ali regionalni članek, ki pokriva vaše zanimivo področje, poiščite sezname potapljaških šol.
Podrobnejše regionalne informacije in seznami potapljaških trgovin, operaterjev in drugih sorodnih storitev so običajno na voljo tudi v regionalnih vodnikih. Nekatere informacije in seznami za območja brez regionalnega vodnika najdete v tem članku pod naslovom Storitve v Cilj oddelku.
Razumeti
Južna Afrika vzdolž njene obale se razprostirajo mesta, ki so morda bolj znana po morskih psih in drugih velikih morskih življenjih, imajo pa tudi široko paleto endemičnih manjših rib in nevretenčarjev. Obalna območja segajo od tropskih koralnih grebenov na severu KwaZulu-Natal na vzhodni obali, kjer so ribe tipične indo-pacifiške tropske vrste, in zelo barvita, skozi toplo zmerno južno obalo s skalnatimi obalami in številnimi endemičnimi vrstami, ohladiti zmerne skalnate grebene na zahodni obali s svojimi gozdovi alg, kjer je življenje rib razmeroma dolgočasno, a nevretenčarji dajejo barvo.
Letno sardinski tek od južne do vzhodne obale je pravično znana in manj znana drstitev lignjev chokka privablja tudi veliko število plenilcev, vendar ne da bi bilo treba toliko lovljenja biti na pravem mestu. Pravi čas je problem tam.
Ob obali je veliko razbitin, nekatere z zgodovinskim pomenom iz 15. stoletja, nekatere pa veljajo za dobra potapljaška mesta. Običajno so koncentrirani v bližini pristanišč in v bližini večjih rtov. Polotok Cape, Danger Point, rt Agulhas, zaliv Algoa in Durban imajo razmeroma veliko dostopnih potopov v razbitinah. Natančen položaj številnih razbitin še vedno ni znan in njihovo iskanje razvedrilo za nekatere potapljače.
Celinska območja se običajno uporabljajo za usposabljanje, tehnično potapljanje in potapljanje v jamah. So sladkovodna nadmorska višinska potapljaška mesta, nekatera z jamsko komponento in segajo od plitvih do zelo globokih.
Južnoafriško potapljanje je na splošno fizično bolj zahtevno kot bolj priljubljene tropske destinacije. Vključuje lahko mrzlo vodo, surfanje, velike otekline ali močne tokove, odvisno od regije, zaželena pa je tudi višja raven kondicije in spretnosti, če želite izkušnjo uživati čim bolj.
Potapljaške kraje Južne Afrike lahko razvrstimo v štiri regije, od katerih ima vsaka na splošno podobne vodne razmere, potapljaške postopke in biotsko raznovrstnost. To so Zahodna obala, južna obala, Vzhodna obala, in celinska potapljaška mesta. Obalna potapljaška območja se bolj približajo obalnim ekoregijam kot politične regije, pri čemer so nekatera prehodna območja, razen da je zahodna obala / južna obala razdeljena vzhodno od False Baya, ki velja za del potapljaške soseske zahodne obale Cape Towna.
Za tiste, ki si želijo bolj zaščitenih in benignih pogojev, sta na voljo dva velika akvarija, kjer lahko potapljači uživajo v toplejši vodi in zelo lahkem dostopu ter zagotovo vidijo veliko število rib.
Splošna topografija
Fizična geografija regije
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Južna Afrika je južni del afriške celine, edina celina, skozi katero gresta oba tropa. Celina se razteza na največ 34 ° 50 'zemljepisne širine južno od ekvatorja in 37 ° 20' severno, zato je večinoma tropska in subtropska, z zmernim obsegom zmernih pasov. Južna Afrika je regija Afrike, ki je najbolj oddaljena od ekvatorja na južni polobli. Razteza se od reke Limpopo na severu pri S22 ° 07 'do rta Agulhas na jugu pri S34 ° 50' in od ustja reke Orange na zahodu pri E016 ° 27 'do Ponta do Ouro na vzhodu pri E32 ° 23 '.
Oceani, ki mejijo na Južno Afriko
Južna Afrika je ena redkih držav z več kot enim oceanom na svojih obalah, kar močno vpliva na morske razmere, ne toliko zato, ker so vode nominalno razdeljene na dva oceana, temveč zato, ker imajo glavni tokovi obeh oceanov tako velike razlike in te močno vplivajo na sosednje ekosisteme.
Obala od ustja Orange River, ki meji na Namibijo na severozahodu, do Ponto do Ouro, ki meji na Mozambik na severovzhodu, je dolga približno 3750 km in je med najdaljšimi 51 državami na 51. mestu.
Širina epikontinentalnega pasu ob Južni Afriki se zelo spreminja, zelo ozka polica ob severovzhodni obali KwaZulu-Natal in široka polica ob južni konici Afrike - banka Agulhas. Polk se zopet zoži ob polotoku Cape in je zmerne širine od rta Columbine proti severu, ob zahodni obali.
Geografska delitev med Atlantskim in Indijskim oceanom je na južnem koncu Cape Agulhas, toda s praktičnega vidika je najbolj kakovostno razlikovanje v Cape Pointu in mnogi Kapetonci radi mislijo, da je to kraj dveh oceanov . Razlog za to je, da na zahodno obalo močno vpliva hladen tok Benguela, ki teče proti zahodu proti severu, topel Agulhas pa proti vzhodu. Tok Agulhas lahko štejemo za nadaljevanje Mozambiškega toka, ki teče proti zahodu in nato proti zahodu, ko sledi vzhodni obali. Na tok Agulhas vpliva razmeroma plitva banka Agulhas in odvrže nekaj ogromnih vrtincev, od katerih nekateri uhajajo v južni Atlantik, večina pa jih zaniha proti jugu in nato proti vzhodu in se sčasoma razprši v južnem oceanu.
Podnebje, vremenske in morske razmere
Zahodna obala
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje na zahodni obali Južne Afrike
V primerjavi s tropskimi vodami, ki so mnogim potapljačem bolj znane, je voda hladna - lahko je od približno 20 ° C do 8 ° C. Lahko je temno in vidljivost se lahko precej razlikuje - 8 m se šteje za dokaj dobro, čeprav občasno preseže 20 m, manj kot 3 m pa za slabo. Domačini na splošno menijo, da je 5 m spodnja meja sprejemljivosti. Pomembni spodnji tokovi so redki, toda površinski tok lahko zadostuje za težave potapljačem, ki odložijo spust. Prenapetost je pogosta in je lahko težavna v velikem in daljšem obdobju otekanja, kar ni redko. Obstajajo morski psi, vključno z velikimi belci, ki pa jih redko vidimo. Sekanje površinskega vetra običajno ne vpliva na podvodne razmere, lahko pa povzroči neprijetno vožnjo s čolnom ali površinsko plavanje. Običajni potapljaški čoln je velik RIB z dvema motorjema, ki se spusti z drsnikov in prevaža do 12 potapljačev, čeprav je dostop potapljačev do čolna lahko s pomola. Potapljanje na kopnem je možnost na večjem delu regije, odvisno od sposobnosti potapljača in dostopa do vode.
Tehnično je celotna regija v Atlantskem oceanu - uradna meja z Indijskim oceanom je na rtu Agulhas - toda ekološka meja med zahodno in južno obalo je na Cape Pointu, tako lokalni potapljači kot morski biologi priznavajo pomembno razliko med " Atlantska stran "in False Bay.
Južna obala
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje na južni obali Južne Afrike
Kot perspektiva potapljanja se lahko šteje, da se južna obala razteza od približno nevarne točke pri Gansbaaiju proti vzhodu do skrajne strani Divje obale. V regiji prevladuje Agulhasov tok, ki teče jugozahodno vzdolž vzhodnega dela te obale, od obale pa ga sili širijoč se kontinentalni pas, ki omogoča, da hladnejša voda potiska vzdolž obale, in lomi ogromne vrtince. Reke tečejo v ocean ob tej obali in ker ni močnega priobalnega toka, ki bi odnašal te vode, se njihova obremenitev s hranili razmeroma postopno razprši v primerjavi z vzhodno obalo. V tej regiji se je razvilo veliko endemičnih vrst. To so živali, ki jih ni nikjer drugje, nekatere pa imajo zelo omejen obseg. Na primer, morski konj Knysna najdemo le v treh izlivih na južni obali. V tej regiji so temperature morske gladine višje od zahodne obale, saj poleti dosežejo 22 ° C, pozimi pa v povprečju okoli 15 ° C. Ko so pogoji za potapljanje dobri, je treba raziskati edinstveno biotsko raznovrstnost v vodi, ki ni posebej hladna.
Vzhodna obala
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje vzhodne obale Južne Afrike
Voda vzhodne obale je topla, temperature pa se poleti dvignejo do 28 ° C, pozimi pa od 18 do 24 ° C. Vidljivost je na splošno dobra, čeprav lahko v poletni deževni sezoni odtok reke vpliva na številne kraje. Tok je lahko močan, odvisno od tega, kako blizu hitri Agulhasov tok potisne na kopno, val pa je odvisen od obdobja valov in globine potopa. Kontinentalni pas vzhodne obale je ozek, rob police pa plitk, zato tok Agulhas teče razmeroma blizu obale. Ta ozek močan tok teče proti jugu navzdol po vzhodni obali Afrike v vrsti ogromnih vrtljivih vrtin, s seboj prinaša svetovljansko in raznoliko indo-pacifiško tropsko favno v vodi, ki jo segreva tropsko sonce, in omejuje širjenje endemičnih vrst na severu. Obalni vetrovi pihajo nad toplo vodo in poleti na to obalo prinašajo dež, odtok rek pa v morje nosi mulj. Tam, kjer je kontinentalni pas zelo ozek in tok teče blizu obale, hitro zamenjuje muljevito vodo z bistrejšo globoko oceansko vodo. Kontinentalni pas se razprostira še naprej na morju blizu Durbana, zato je tam poletna vidljivost slabša, toda južneje pri bregovih Aliwal Shoal in Protea, je kontinentalni pas spet ožji in zato je voda tam običajno bistrejša.
Izstrelitve potekajo z navozov, izlivov rek ali plaže, čolni, ki jih spuščajo na plažo, se običajno vrnejo na obalo, tako da plavajo za planom za valom. Potapljanje na kopnem je možnost na nekaj lokacijah v Durbanu. Številna spletna mesta so najprimernejša za potapljanje s potapljaškim vodjem, ki vleče markirno boje, po katerem potapljaški čoln sledi.
Morska ekologija
Obalne vode Južne Afrike lahko razdelimo na številne biogeografske regije, čeprav med njimi na splošno ni nobene ostre razlike, kjer so bile postavljene meje. Ob obali je več postopnih sprememb, od tropskih voda severnega KwaZulu-Natal do hladnejših voda južne obale.
Edino kraj, kjer se na kratki razdalji razmeroma izrazito spremenijo, je Cape Point, kjer vode vzhodne in zahodne strani polotoka Cape podpirajo opazno različne ekologije in tudi tu se znatno prekrivajo organizmi, ki živijo v njih.
Ob tej obali je velik del endemičnih vrst, zlasti vzdolž južne obale.
Morske ekoregije
Območja, ki zanimajo rekreacijske potapljače, so obalne ekoregije, ki so dostopne in dovolj plitve za potapljanje. Šteje se, da se raztezajo od obale do preloma celinskega pasu, zato je večina območja pregloboko za potapljanje.
- The hladno zmerno Ekoregija Benguela se razteza od hriba Sylvia v Namibiji do Cape Pointa. Glavni vpliv ima hladen tok Benguela, za regijo pa je značilno obsežno intenzivno prelivanje in bogata s hranili voda. Na jugovzhodnem koncu te regije je prelom pri Cape Pointu zelo razločen v obmorskih globinskih območjih, na globljih območjih pa je bil izbran za globinsko konturo 150 m, približno južno od rta Agulhas. Ta črta je bolj skladna z mešalnim območjem tokov Benguela in Agulhas in je približno vzporedna z robom police.
- The toplo zmerno Ekoregija Agulhas se razteza od Cape Pointa do reke Mbashe. Reka Mbashe je bila izbrana kot najustreznejša meja med subtropsko provinco Natal na severu in toplo zmerno regijo Agulhas na jugu, vendar se spremembe med temi regijami postopoma spreminjajo. Povišanje na južni obali Južne Afrike v veliki meri poganja tok Agulhas in kontinentalni pas. Ta oblika vzpona prisili mrzlo globoko vodo navzgor na kontinentalni pas, vendar ne nujno nad termoklin. V regiji vzhodno od brega Agulhas vzpenjanje vetra, ki se pojavlja predvsem v poletnih mesecih, povečuje sedanji vzpon, tako da hladnejše globlje vode pridejo na površje. To povečuje biološko produktivnost z oskrbo s hranili v evfotičnem območju (kjer imajo rastline dovolj svetlobe za razcvet), ki spodbuja proizvodnjo fitoplanktona, skalnate obale, ki so oskrbljene z vodo, bogato s hranili, pa podpirajo bogato biomaso alg. Letno drstenje čoke (lignjev) v veliki meri poteka v tej regiji.
- The subtropsko Natalna ekoregija se razteza od reke Mbashe do rta Vidal. To območje ima velik vtok v reke, toda Agulhasov tok je glavni vpliv na Natal ekoregijo. Življenjski prostor grebenov je omejen, glavna območja grebenov pa vključujejo obale Aliwal Shoal in Protea. Skupnosti skalnatih grebenov se razlikujejo od skupnosti koralnih grebenov bolj severno, saj kamnite korale upadajo s povečano motnostjo na jugu. Ekoregija Natal podpira endemične mehke korale. Letno sardinski tek je značilnost južnega dela te regije.
- The tropsko Ekoregija Delagoa sega od rta Vidal proti severu v Mozambik. Jasna sprememba strukture morske skupnosti na rtu Vidal kaže na habitat med morskimi plitvami, vzorce razširjenosti morske trave in mangrov ter območja tropskih morskih ptic in kitov.
Oprema
Navadni rekreacijski oprema za potapljanje zadostuje za večino potapljaških mest v večini regij. Največje odstopanje v zahtevah se nanaša na obleke za izpostavljenost. Na tropskem severovzhodu, kjer je temperatura vode običajno 24 ° C ali več, se mokre obleke nosijo tako za zaščito pred soncem in piki kot za toploto, medtem ko je na zahodni obali 7 mm mokra obleka komaj dovolj , suhe obleke pa postajajo vse bolj priljubljene pri potapljačih, ki uživajo v udobju ob koncu potopa pri temperaturah vode do 8 ° C. Večina potapljaških mest je razmeroma plitvih - nekaj je globljih od 40 m, večina pa je v območju od 10 do 30 m.
Potrdilo o potapljačih in pravna odgovornost
V Južni Afriki ni zakonske zahteve za pridobitev spričevala za rekreativca. Po zakonu lahko kupujete opremo in se z njo potapljate brez kakršnega koli usposabljanja, certificiranja, izkušenj ali usposobljenosti. Prav tako ni nobene zakonske omejitve, ki bi vam preprečevala, da bi se prostovoljno odpravili na morje in preskočili bok čolna, oblečeni samo z utežnim pasom, vendar obstajajo bolj udobni in priročni načini, kako se ubiti.
Večina, če ne nujno vsi operaterji potapljaških zakupov bodo vztrajali, da ste pooblaščeni za potapljanje v globino in v pogojih, ki se pričakujejo na mestu potapljanja, ali pa jih spremlja pooblaščeni inštruktor. To ni samo zato, ker skrbijo za vašo varnost, ampak tudi zmanjšajo papirje, če pride do nesreče. Za podjetja je slabo, da vaše stranke med izletom umrejo, zato večina operaterjev dokaj skrbno zagotavlja, da so stranke obveščene o verjetnih razmerah in posebnih tveganjih na lokaciji ter o priporočeni ravni certificiranja. V večini primerov so potrebni opustitve, potapljač pa prevzame odgovornost za svoja dejanja, in razen če obstajajo močni dokazi o malomarnosti ali nezakonitih dejanjih s strani upravljavca, sodni spor po dogodku verjetno ne bo povzročil odvisnosti.
Nekateri operaterji bodo potovanje odpovedali, če bodo razmere videti neprijetne, verjetno pa tudi vsi, če bodo pogoji videti nevarni. Vendar to ne pomeni, da bodo pogoji za vas nujno varni, če je potop vklopljen. Od vas se pričakuje, da sami presodite, kaj lahko obvladate in ali bo situacija vsak dan v vaših zmožnostih, ter se odločite sami. Posadka lahko svetuje, vendar ne more misliti namesto vas.
Če ste pripravnik v certifikacijskem programu, imate pravico pričakovati, da vam bo inštruktor svetoval glede tveganj in varnosti, a če sploh nimate certifikata, se pričakuje, da se boste lahko sami odločili razumno in odgovorno.
Cilji
Potapljanje v Južni Afriki se dogaja v treh obalnih regijah, ki se razprostirajo na treh obalnih provincah, na celinskih območjih pa v različnih provincah. Obalni cilji so tukaj navedeni predvsem v nasprotni smeri urnega kazalca okoli obale in mimogrede po provincah. Celinska območja so navedena le po abecedi, saj ni očitnega razloga, da bi storili drugače. Pokrajina za potapljača poleg splošne predstave o tem, kje je, nima nobene pomembne razlike.
Zahodni rt
The Zahodni rt provinca je najbolj jugozahodna provinca v Južni Afriki. Vključuje velik del turističnih destinacij in znamenitosti Južne Afrike, med katerimi je tudi nekaj bolj znanih potapljaških destinacij.
Lambertov zaliv
1 Lambertov zaliv je majhno ribiško mestece na zahodni obali Ljubljane Zahodni rt 280 kilometrov (170 milj) severno od Cape Towna. To je odsek obale, izpostavljen vetru in morjem z zahodno komponento. Na splošno se ne šteje za a potapljanje destinacija, vendar je v sezoni zelo priljubljen za potapljanje s križem (jastog na zahodni obali).
Zaliv Elands
2 Elandski zaliv je majhno ribiško mestece v zahodnem rtu, približno 220 km (dve uri in pol vožnje) severno od Cape Towna. Običajno se ne šteje za potapljaško destinacijo, je pa v sezoni dokaj priljubljen za potapljanje na snegu z jastogom. Je bolj destinacija za deskanje in je znana tudi po jamah s skalnimi slikami. Ni v MPA, zato za potapljanje ni potrebno dovoljenje. Za potapljanje z jastogom je potrebno dovoljenje posebej za to dejavnost in ga ni dovoljeno izvajati na potapljaškem potapljanju.
Paternoster
3 Paternoster je majhno ribiško mestece na zahodni obali zahodnega rta. Običajno se ne šteje za potapljaško destinacijo, je pa v sezoni zelo priljubljen za potapljanje z jastogom in ima nekaj razbitin, ki jih je vredno potapljati po iztovarjanju dnevnega ulova, če so dobri pogoji. To ni MPA, zato dovoljenje za potapljanje ni potrebno, vendar je za zbiranje jastogov potrebno dovoljenje.
Saldanha Bay
4 Saldanha Bay je glavno pristanišče za izvoz rude in ribiško pristanišče ob več morskih zavarovanih območjih in kopenskih naravnih rezervatih. Ni dobro znano kot potapljaško destinacijo, vendar v mestu obstaja komercialna potapljaška šola in se izvaja tudi nekaj rekreativnega potapljanja v bližini.
Otok Dassen
1 Otok Dassen je majhen otoški naravni rezervat ob zahodni obali zahodnega rta. Običajno se ne šteje za potapljaški cilj, saj do njega ni lahko priti, vendar obstaja nekaj potapljaških mest, vključno z nekaj razbitinami, če ste na tem območju.
Silwerstroomstrand
5 Silwerstroomstrand je plaža skrajno severno od Cape Towna. Običajno se ne šteje za potapljaško destinacijo, obstaja pa nekaj mest.
Cape Town
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje polotoka Cape in False Bay
6 Cape Town je glavno pristaniško mesto in zakonodajna prestolnica Južne Afrike. Vode Cape Towna vključujejo Atlantsko morje, zahodno od Polotok Cape ki je hladen do hladen, in False Bay, ki je prav tako hladen, vendar je nanj bistveno vplivala toplejša voda, ki sta jo vzhodno obalo spustil mozambiški tok in tok Agulhas, in ima nekaj ekološke podobnosti z južno obalo.
Cape Point je sprejet kot meja med hladnim zmernim območjem Ekoregija Benguela zahodne obale in toplo zmerno Ekoregija Agulhas južne obale. Za razliko od ostalih meja med morskimi bioregijami, ki so difuzne, se ekosistemi na majhni razdalji pri Cape Pointu precej razlikujejo zaradi spremembe od prevladujočega vpliva toplejšega toka Agulhasa na vzhodu do hladnega toka Benguele na zahodu .
Obstaja veliko endemičnih vrst rib, nevretenčarjev in morskih alg, pa tudi številni drugi bolj razširjeni organizmi in veliko število razbitin ladij, od katerih so nekatere zelo znane kot potapljaška mesta. False Bay včasih gosti potepuške ribe iz toplejših regij in občasno celo želve, pripeljane na tokove z vzhodne obale.
Gorski polotok Cape, ki ločuje Atlantski ocean od False Baya, obalne vode na vsaki strani ščiti tudi pred vetrom in valovi z druge strani, kar omogoča celoletno potapljanje, vendar sezonske razlike v tem, kje se potapljati in kaj glej, saj obstaja velika in opazna razlika med ekosistemi na alternativnih obalnih črtah.
Obstajajo tri morska zaščitena območja, povezana z obalnimi vodami Cape Towna: Zaščiteno območje Narodnega parka Table Mountain, ki vključuje večino potapljaških grebenov in veliko število razbitin, Zaščiteno območje otoka Robben z večinoma razbitinami, vendar ne toliko in nekaj precej globoko, in majhno zavarovano območje Helderberg z zelo malo potapljaškimi kraji.
Betty's Bay
7 Betty's Bay je majhno letoviško mesto v Ljubljani Overberg okrožje Zahodnega Rta. Preden je bil ribolov zaprt za javnost in je postal glavni problem lova na križarjenja, je bilo priljubljeno območje za prosto potapljanje.
Hawston
- Poglej tudi: Potapljanje na zahodni obali Južne Afrike # Hawston
8 Hawston je majhno letovišče in ribiško mestece v Ljubljani Overberg okrožje Zahodnega Rta.
Hermanus
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje v Hermanusu
9 Hermanus je majhno pristaniško mesto v Ljubljani Overberg okrožje Zahodnega Rta, dobro znano po opazovanju kitov.
Gansbaai
- Poglej tudi: Potapljanje na zahodni obali Južne Afrike # Gansbaai
10 Gansbaai je majhno pristaniško mesto v Ljubljani Overberg okrožje Zahodnega Rta, dobro znano po potapljanju v kletkah z velikimi belimi morskimi psi in razbitinah HMS Birkenhead.
Struisbaai
11 Struisbaai je majhno ribiško mestece v Ljubljani Overberg okrožje Zahodnega Rta. Je zelo priljubljen kot destinacija za podvodni ribolov.
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans)
12 Arniston je majhno počitniško mesto v Ljubljani Overberg okrožje Zahodnega Rta, poimenovano po najbolj znani razbitini.
Mosselov zaliv
- Poglej tudi: Potapljanje na južni obali Južne Afrike # Mossel Bay
13 Mosselov zaliv je pristaniško mesto na Vrtna pot v zahodnem rtu.
Najzna
- Poglej tudi: Potapljanje na južni obali Južne Afrike # Knysna
14 Najzna je pristaniško mesto v veliki laguni na Vrtna pot v zahodnem rtu. Potapljanje v bližini ustja lagune je najbolje opraviti ob plimi, saj lahko tokovi postanejo zelo močni.
Zaliv Plettenberg
15 Zaliv Plettenberg je počitniško mesto na Vrtna pot v zahodnem rtu, znan predvsem po svojih plažah.
Vzhodni rt
The Vzhodni rt je provinca na južni obali Južne Afrike na obali vzhodnega dela ekoregije Agulhas, ki je bogata z endemičnimi morskimi vrstami. Potapljanje je zelo odvisno od vremenskih razmer in vidljivost je pogosto dobra, kadar pa je dobra marsikaj je videti. Voda je na splošno toplejša od zahodnega rta, vendar občasno obstajajo hladni nadmorski višini.
Tsitsikamma
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje Tsitsikamme
16 The Morsko zavarovano območje narodnega parka Tsitsikamma se razteza vzdolž zahodnega dela obale vzhodnega rta in manjšega dela obale zahodnega rta na Vrtna pot.
Jeffreyjev zaliv
17 Jeffreyjev zaliv je počitniško mesto na vzhodnem rtu, najbolj znano kot destinacija za deskanje.
Zaliv sv. Frančiška
18 Zaliv sv. Frančiška je majhno pristaniško mestece na vzhodnem rtu, znano po letnem teku Chokka.
Port Elizabeth
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje v Port Elizabeth
19 Port Elizabeth je glavno pristaniško mesto v vzhodnem rtu na obali zaliva Algoa. Potapljališča so tako v zalivu kot zahodno od Cape Recifeja in na območju, znanem kot Wildside, ki je bolj izpostavljeno jugozahodnim nabreklinam, vendar je globlji in ima obsežnejše grebene.
Pristanišče Alfred
20 Pristanišče Alfred je majhno pristaniško mesto na vzhodnem rtu ob izlivu reke Kowie.
Razbitina SS Cariboo
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje v Južni Afriki / razbitina SS Cariboo
2 SS Karibus razbitina je razbitina potniškega parnika, približno 3,4 km od ustja reke Mgwalana, severovzhodno od pristanišča Alfred.
Madakaskarski greben
Tik severno od izliva reke Bira, približno 70 km severovzhodno od pristanišča Alfred.
Vzhodni London
21 Vzhodni London je pristaniško mesto na vzhodnem rtu.
Divja obala
- Poglej tudi: Potapljanje na južni obali Južne Afrike # Wild Coast
3 The Divja obala je obalno območje Ljubljane Vzhodni rt od severa Vzhodni London do južne meje Ljubljane KwaZulu-Natal.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal je provinca na vzhodni obali, med Mozambikom na severu in vzhodnim Rtom na jugu.
Margate
- Poglej tudi: Potapljanje na vzhodni obali Južne Afrike # Margate
22 Margate je majhno letoviško mesto na južni obali KwaZulu-Natal blizu bank Protea.
Park Rynie
23 Park Rynie je majhno letoviško mesto na južni obali KwaZulu-Natal.
Umkomaas in Scottburgh
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje Aliwal Shoal
Leta 1849 je po ladji Aliwal skoraj trčil v neizsleden greben, njen kapitan pa je poročal o položaju tega grebena, ki je kasneje postal znan kot Plitvina Aliwal. Od Durbana je približno 60 km južno. Najbližja mesta so 24 Umkomaas in 25 Scottburgh, ki ponujata obsežne turistične zmogljivosti, tudi za potapljače.
Plitvina je fosilizirana peščena sipina, ki leži približno vzporedno z obalo, približno 5 km od obale. Obsega ozek severni del, krono, široko približno 250 m, ki postane približno 800 m širok in na koncu s širšim kopenskim grebenom na jugu, širšim od 2 km. Globina krošnje se giblje od približno 6 m na severnih vrhovih do približno 30 m na morski strani. Povprečna globina območja krošnje je 12,5 m. Južno širše območje vključuje več izboklin, ki segajo od približno 30 m do približno 15 m globine (npr. Howardov grad, greben Landers). Na območju krošenj imajo številna potapljaška mesta (npr. Jama Raggie in Chunnel) veliko neenakomerne topografije z majhnimi jamami, poličkami in pretoki, bogatimi z morskim življenjem, tako z ribami kot nevretenčarji.
V plitvi regiji je subtropsko podnebje s povprečnimi mesečnimi temperaturami zraka od 17,0 ° C (julij) do 23,9 ° C (februar). Temperature morja so nekoliko toplejše zaradi toplega, tropskega, južno tekočega toka Agulhas, ki ima za posledico 21-26 ° C skozi vse leto.
Durban
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje v Durbanu
Potapljanje v glavnem pristaniškem mestu 26 Durban v KwaZulu-Natal vplivajo prevladujoči vetrovi in odtekanje iz reke Umgeni, izliva pristanišča in reze Umlaas na Blufu, kar lahko vpliva na vidljivost v deževni sezoni (pomlad: september - december) v neposredni bližini usta. Zaradi nizkih sezonskih padavin in prevladujočih jugozahodnikov, ki prinašajo čisto vodo iz toka Mozanbique, je zima najboljši čas za potapljanje Durbana (od marca do julija).
Ballito
- Poglej tudi: Potapljanje vzhodne obale Južne Afrike # Ballito
27 Ballito je obalno mesto na severni obali (KwaZulu-Natal) v Južni Afriki. V glavnem je letoviško mesto s plažami in etažno lastnino, ima pa tudi nekaj potapljaških mest.
Sveta Lucija
- 4 Rt Vidal
Sodwana Bay
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje v zalivu Sodwana
5 Sodwana Bay je eno bolj znanih in bolj priljubljenih potapljaških destinacij v Južni Afriki. Nahaja se na skrajnem severovzhodu države in je v tropski ekoregiji Delagoa z grebenskimi koralami in značilnim morskim življenjem Indo-Pacific. Sodwana je znotraj velikega morskega zavarovanega območja iSimangaliso in slovi po svojih koelakantih, ki so jih tehnični potapljači občasno opazili na približno 110 m globine v enem od kanjonov ob robu police.
Severni Maputaland
Vključno 6 Mabibi in 7 Zaliv Kosi. Ta območja so tudi na morskem zavarovanem območju iSimangaliso.
Notranja potapljaška mesta
- Glavna tema: Potapljanje v notranjosti Južne Afrike
Celinska potapljanja so razporejena na velikem območju in vključujejo:
- 8 Badgat: - poplavljen rudnik azbesta v bližini Mbombela v Mpumalanga provinca.
- 9 Bass Lake: - Neuporabljeni kamnolom dolomita v bližini Meyerton južno od Johannesburg v Gauteng provinca.
- 10 Boesmansgat: - Vrtača, blizu Kuruman v Severni rt provinca.
- 11 Marico Oog: - izvir med Rustenburgom, Zeerustom in Lichtenburgom leta Severozahodna provinca
- 12 Čudežne vode: - poplavljen rudnik kroma v bližini Britanci v Severozahodna provinca
- 13 Wondergat: - ponornica dolomita v bližini Mafikeng v Severozahodna provinca
Poti
Letni sardinski tek je opazen dogodek, ki se premika vzdolž južne obale, ko se sardele selijo. Potapljači in drugi navdušenci bodisi sledijo teku vzdolž obale bodisi ga srečajo, ko gre mimo večjih središč. Ogromno število sardin preganjajo kiti, morski psi, delfini, divjadi, morske ptice in seveda ljudje.
Nauči se
Na večini potapljaških destinacij v Južni Afriki obstajajo šole za rekreacijsko potapljanje. Povezava je s široko paleto mednarodno priznanih rekreacijskih in tehničnih potapljaških agencij, vključno s PADI, CMAS-ISA, NAUI, IANTD, SSI, SDI / TDI. Potrjevanje teh agencij je splošno sprejeto po vsem svetu. Kakovost izobraževanja, ki je na voljo, je bolj odvisna od inštruktorja in šole kot od agencije, kot je to v večini delov sveta. Južna Afrika ima svoj delež hitrega prometa in ne glede na standarde, ima pa tudi nekaj res dobrih inštruktorjev. Preberite standarde in poskrbite, da boste dobili tisto, za kar ste plačali.
Južna Afrika je tudi izbrana destinacija za komercialno usposabljanje potapljačev, saj je certifikat priznal Mednarodni forum za priznanje potapljačev in je veliko cenejši kot v Evropi.
Spoštovanje
Varstvo in problem lova na krivolov
Obstajajo pomisleki glede vpliva športnega potapljanja na ekologijo grebenov. Nekateri izmed njih so lahko upravičeni in je treba preučiti, ali je to resnična težava. Število potopov v regiji se je z leti znatno povečalo, vendar zanesljivih številčnih podatkov ni na voljo. Povečalo se je tudi število lokacij, zato se pogostost potopov na večini strani ne bo sorazmerno povečala.
Rekreacijski potapljači so na splošno naklonjeni ohranjanju in ker ne smejo nabirati ali ujeti nobenega morskega življenja na potapljaškem morju v južnoafriških vodah, na splošno nimajo pomembnih vplivov na okolje. Obstajajo dokazi, da je nekaj škode povzročeno s stikom z grebenskimi organizmi in z motenjem usedlin. Vprašanje je torej, kako pomemben je ta vpliv v primerjavi z drugimi pritiski?
The Južnoafriška državna ocena prostorske biotske raznovrstnosti 2004 Tehnično poročilo navaja, da so bile "neekstraktivne rekreacijske dejavnosti" opredeljene kot potencialna grožnja morski biotski raznovrstnosti. Ta kategorija je na 7. mestu od devetih kategorij in vključuje dejavnosti potapljanja, kot so potapljanje na dah z masko, potapljanje in potapljanje v kletkah za ogled morskih psov. pet podkategorij. Ugotovitev in razvrstitev potencialnih groženj je opravil "Summed Expert Ratings", postopek, podoben točkovalni metodi za tekmovalni ples, gimnastiko in podobne športe.
Avtorji trdijo, da je bilo ugotovljeno, da potapljanje in z njim povezane dejavnosti lahko povzročijo znatno škodo koralnim skupnostim z uničujočim stikom (sidranje in poškodbe potapljačev), resuspendiranjem usedlin in stikom z roko na korali. Omenjajo tudi, da koralni grebeni v South Africa are confined to the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park where anchoring or mooring is prohibited, and that current research has indicated that the coral reefs of this region have not experienced serious diver damage.
They also state that most divers cause very little damage to coral reefs although underwater photographers have been identified as a group that causes more damage to reefs than other users.
Their findings also show that the prevalence of predominantly soft corals on South African reefs makes them fairly resilient to diver damage.
Unfortunately the government department of Marine and Coastal Management has made use of this report and surveys on tropical coral reefs to support an effort to make money out of recreational diving on the reefs in all marine protected areas by imposing a permit system as a recreational diver tax. No surveys of temperate reefs can be produced to justify their claims that divers are a threat to the reef ecology, and it seems unlikely that their interference will benefit either the ecology or the diving industry.
At the time the policy was perceived as a thinly disguised attempt to tax what department political appointees appeared to see as a wealthy but politically powerless minority group. However, there was an immediate reaction by the recreational diving industry and the recreational divers who use the affected areas, to the effect that the proposed permit fees were reduced significantly and the industry is more united than it had ever been before. Neprofitna organizacija Underwater Africa was formed to represent the recreational divers and recreational diving industry and it has fought tirelessly for the rights of its constituency.
Even in its restricted scope the permit system may have damaged the industry, as a number of dive charter operators have subsequently gone out of business, and the main effect appears to be that divers are harassed by officials of MCM while poaching has increased.
There is no evidence that the permit system has achieved any of its stated aims of providing finance for improved conservation in the MPAs. It is questionable whether it even covers the cost of its own administration, and may be merely an employment opportunity for the otherwise unemployable.
Marine and Coastal Management has (2010) gone through a period of major change as the government split its responsibilities between two departments. Fisheries have been transferred to the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), and conservation has gone to Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). Internal turf wars at upper levels appear to be continuing to reduce effectiveness, and the working staff seem to have difficulty getting their jobs done. The most notorious of the previous management appear to have been transferred sideways rather than fired. So it goes.
Marine Protected Areas
A large number of the most popular dive sites of South Africa are in proclaimed Marine Protected Areas, and a permit is required to scuba dive in any MPA. Dovoljenja veljajo eno leto in so na voljo v nekaterih poslovalnicah pošte. Temporary permits, valid for a month, are usually available at dive shops or from dive boat operators who operate in MPAs. The permits are not expensive, but the requirement to have them present at the site is an annoyance, as they are paper, and the printing on them states that the original permit, the invoice, and the holder's original identity document or passport must be produced on demand.
The department has officially specified that notarised copies are acceptable, but this information does not appear to have been passed on to their staff, who are frequently reported as insisting on the originals, and their generally uncouth and threatening attitude is notorious. The same personnel are seldom available to take action when complaints of poaching are made. It is not clear whether this is because the poachers tend to react violently to interference, while recreational divers have a long history of non-violence, or because they are on the take.
There have been accusations of corruption against personnel of MCM, which have not been cleared up, and the fact that a large part of the department's income derives from marine products confiscated from poachers is seen by many to be a conflict of interests, as this income would dry up if poaching was stopped.
It should probably be mentioned that the policies of MCM regarding recreational diving restrictions are in many cases not supported by members of their research staff, though obviously these are private opinions.
As of 2010 MCM has been split between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). The situation has not improved after the split, and it is not clear, apparently even to the personnel of the two departments, who is responsible for what in the field of marine conservation. Some political officials appear to be attempting to gain short term popularity by trying to open reserves to artisanal fishers, in complete contradiction of the conservation policies, and enforcement is no better than before. Poaching goes on unabated, and divers are still harassed because it is much safer than attempting to apprehend the poachers, who tend to be armed and dangerous.
Diving on wrecks
A lot of ships have been wrecked on South Africa's long, rugged and dangerous coastline during the last 500 years. Due to its strategic location on the historical trade route between Europe and the East, at least 2700 vessels are known to have sunk, grounded, been wrecked, abandoned or scuttled in South African waters.
Wrecks and their associated artifacts can be impressive and interesting sites for recreational scuba diving and underwater photography. The diversity of wrecks around the South African coast offers divers a wide range of sites to visit and explore. At the same time, historical wrecks are a unique, fragile and non-renewable cultural heritage resource of great archaeological value. We all have a responsibility to conserve this heritage for future generations.
Divers are free to visit most wreck sites, but should remember that they are privileged to have access to these sites, which are an important part of our collective cultural heritage.
The complex and delicate nature of wreck sites requires that divers are especially careful when visiting them. To preserve them for future generations to enjoy and learn from, it is important that you appreciate the importance of wrecks, dive responsibly and treat shipwrecks with care and respect.
Wrecks are also important habitats for marine life. Avoid damaging wrecks by carelessly touching them with your hands, knees or fins. The disturbance of protective coverings of sand, plant growth or the products of corrosion that have formed on wrecks can greatly increase the rate at which a wreck and its contents decay. This reduces the wreck's value as an historical resource and dive site and divers should avoid doing anything that will disturb the delicate equilibrium of a wreck site.
Anchoring into wrecks can cause severe damage to artifacts and the structure of the wreck. If you need to anchor, ensure that you do so well off the wreck. Remember that a wreck site is non-renewable, and won't regenerate like a damaged reef. Dive with care and leave the wreck as you found it.
Legal protection of wrecks
The wrecks of ships or aircraft, and any associated cargo, debris or artifact more than 60 years old and in South African waters are protected by the National Heritage Resources Act #25 of 1999 (NHRA). The law of salvage and finds does not apply to historical shipwrecks, which are considered by the NHRA to be archaeological material, and as such are the property of the state, administered by SAHRA in trust for the nation, and may not be disturbed in any way except under the terms of a permit issued by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).
There are severe penalties for contravening the Act, including heavy fines and jail terms. All members of the South African Police Services, and Customs and Excise officers may act as Heritage Inspectors in terms of the Act, with powers of search, confiscation and arrest.
Historical wrecks may be visited provided that the sites are not disturbed or interfered with and no artifacts are removed or damaged.Resist the temptation to take home souvenirs. Not only is it illegal to remove such material, but anything recovered from a wreck needs immediate conservation treatment or it will end up rotting away or disintegrating. Souvenir hunting strips sites of artifacts and the information they carry, and denies future divers the experience of diving on a well preserved wreck.
Take only photos, leave only bubbles!
Poišči pomoč
- Emergency medical services vary in quality. Metro Rescue in Cape Town has a good reputation. However service will depend on availability of equipment and personnel. Hospital facilities also vary considerably, and most are understaffed.
- Recompression facilities are sparse. There are chambers in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria. However, those which exist and are available, are competently manned and kept in good condition. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is standard at these facilities.
- Divers Alert Network (DAN) has a branch in South Africa Their toll free line from within the country 0800 020 111, and regular line *27 (0)11 254 1112 will get you the 24-hour emergency hotline. If you are a DAN member and are involved in a diving accident, contact them first and they will make the necessary arrangements through whichever other organisations are most appropriate.
- National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) have stations near most places where seaside recreational activities are popular
- Underwater Africa[mrtva povezava] "The CPR of diving: Conservation, Promotion and Representation”. Contact them if you have trouble getting a permit or are harassed by officials of MCM or other organisations. They may be able to help.
Ostani varen
Poglej tudi: South Africa#Stay safe
- Zločin unfortunately is endemic to pretty much the whole country, but some parts are worse than others. Generally where there are more people there is more crime, but not always in direct proportion. South Africa has pretty good laws in general, but they do tend to protect the guilty more than the innocent, and as a result, enforcement often leaves a lot to be desired. Shortage of staff, indifference, and corruption within the enforcement bureaucracy also do not help.
- South African politicians have a reputation for corruption, generally not very competent corruption, but there appears to be a tendency towards greed, incompetence, nepotism and indifference towards the job. This tends to filter down though the bureaucracies. However, there are laws which are intended to deal with these problems, and blowing the whistle does not usually get the foreigner into trouble the way it can do in some other places. If you stand up to it they will often back off, failure to provide service is the most likely retaliation, and you can always go to the press. At this stage the press is free, though not always interested. The foreign traveller is often better off than the local inhabitant as they will get better publicity for complaints, and the official policy is to encourage tourism as it brings in money.
- Scuba diving permits are required by anyone who wishes to dive in a Marine Protected Area. These are available from some Post Offices in the vicinity of the MPAs, and are valid for all MPAs. They should be available over the counter for about R92. The Post Office does take credit cards though it is possible that some branches might not. You will be required to show your identity document or passport. The permit is on the same form as recreational fishing permits, and is not waterproof or water resistant, but you are expected to show it when requested by an inspector. A certified copy is authorised by Marine and Coastal management, the organisation issuing the permits, but this is contradicted by the text on the permit, and the enforcement officials appear to be unaware that the copy is acceptable. The documents have been reprinted and are being issued as of 2018. Carry the permit in your car, but don't bother to carry it on the boat, as no-one else will either.
- Onesnaževanje is a long-standing problem. Many municipalities do not provide adequate services, and in many places effluent is discharged in contravention of the law, by the authorities who should be preventing it. Industry can often arrange a blind eye to be turned when they discharge their wastes. A lot depends on who the major shareholders are and how much money is involved. Nevertheless, it is usually safe enough to dive along most of the coast. Specific regional problems will be detailed in the regional dive guides.
Hazardous marine organisms
These vary by region. Refer to the regional dive guide.
Breathing gas, safety and emergency equipment standards
- Compressed breathing air quality is required by law to comply with SANS 10019. This is of an internationally acceptable standard. The filling station is obliged to keep a record of the results of air quality testing on site and show them to a user on request. This requirement is not usually stringently enforced, nevertheless, where there is competition for business, the air is usually good.
- Compressor Operators who fill cylinders are legally required to be competent in terms of South African National Standard SANS 10019, but there is no requirement for certification, and this requirement is not often enforced. The CMAS-ISA Compressor operator certificate is generally considered within the recreational diving industry to be a sufficient indication of competence, though not a necessary one.
- Compressed breathing gas fills are required by SANS 458:2005 table A.1(b) item 4 to be within 5% of the nominal fill pressure corrected to 20°C, and it is illegal to fill a cylinder to a higher pressure than a developed pressure equivalent to the working pressure stamped on the cylinder at 20°C, corrected to actual temperature when filled. The pressure must be checked before you leave the filling station, or it will be virtually impossible to prove deficiency. All filling stations are required to provide an accurate and calibrated pressure gauge if requested. In practice the gauges are seldom recently calibrated.
- Scuba cylinder colour coding is prescribed by SANS 10019 to be canary yellow with a french grey shoulder. Nitrox and trimix cylinders should have been cleaned for oxygen service before first use with mixed gases, and be labeled for the service. Technically a commercial filling station may not fill a cylinder that is not the right colour or is not in date for visual inspection and hydrostatic tests. Privately owned, filled and used cylinders are not restricted in the same way.
- Nitrox fills will normally be mixed on demand, and the customer is expected to personally test or observe the test for oxygen content and sign for it. After that it is your own business what you do with it. You may be asked to show Nitrox certification, but that is up to the seller, and is not required by law. Cylinders to be filled with Nitrox are required by law to have a label showing the composition of the contents, but the specifications for the label are so mind bogglingly incompetent that filling stations may require more rationally useful labels than legally required. Most stations will accept cylinders with the old style labels, as they at least provide adequate information. Composition is usually written on masking tape with a waterproof marker and stuck to the shoulder of the cylinder. This may or may not be legal, as the authorised experts are not keen to admit either way, and it is the standard procedure.
- Cylinders to be filled with Trimix are also required to be labelled with the contents. The size and position of the label is specified, but it is not required to actually be visible, and it is a position commonly covered by tank bands if the cylinders are twinned. Additional labels which can actually be seen are not forbidden, and may be used.
- Cylinders dedicated to 100% oxygen for breathing must be black with a white shoulder, but Nitrox cylinders may be filled with 99% Oxygen, and Nitrox mixes only need to be analysed to the nearest 1% accuracy. If you have a Nitrox cylinder filled with Oxygen for decompression gas, label it as 99% and it will be legal.
- Medical oxygen specifically intended for surface first aid purposes should be carried in the official black cylinder with white shoulder. Most have a pin index valve, but this is not a legal requirement, and a bullnose fitting as is used on bulk cylinders, or a scuba pillar valve may also be used, depending on the regulator available. As it is not a legal requirement to carry medical oxygen on a dive boat, it is also not a requirement to use any specific type of regulator. The regulators marketed by DAN are popular, and possibly the best for purpose, as they allow 100% on demand for conscious users and can also supply free-flow to a medical mask for unconscious users. Other types may be diving regulators which will only supply a demand regulator, and some older free-flow systems intended for general first aid purposes.
- The law requires that cylinders which are to be filled with gas mixtures containing more than 23% oxygen must be cleaned before the first fill with such gas mixture. Filling stations often require that there is an Oxygen clean label on the cylinder if it is to be filled by partial pressure blending, but this is not a legal requirement.
- Kisik is carried by most dive charter boats, and this is considered the industry standard, though not required by law.
- First aid kits are required by law to be carried on boats.
- Skiperji of dive boats are required by law to be certified for the category of vessel they operate, and to have a diving endorsement to the certificate. This certificate must be carried on the boat, so you can expect to be shown it if you ask at a reasonable time. If the boat is launched through the surf, the skipper's certificate must also be endorsed for surf launching. Unfortunately the certificate does not guarantee competence, but most of the skippers get good or get out.
- Skiperji are also required to be trained in basic first aid, but this is zelo basic and does not include decompression illness.
- Dive boats are obliged by law to carry safety equipment and pass a safety inspection every year. This is shown by a certificate and a decal on the boat.
- Plovila used for any commercial purpose must be licensed or registered in terms of the Merchant Shipping Act.
- Small craft licensing: You can recognise and identify a licensed vessel by the license number it must display on the sides. The number consists of a prefix identifying the licensing authority, followed by a number identifying the vessel, and any applicable category letters.
- South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) uses DT plus a letter identifying the port of origin. DTC is Cape Town. The number may be followed by a class letter indicating the waters the boat is licensed and equipped to operate in.
- South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA) uses club identification prefixes.
- South African Sailing (SAS) uses SA for sailing vessels and ZA for motor vessels
- South African Small Craft Association (SASCA) uses U followed by the category and then the number.
- South African Institute for Skippers (SAIS) uses A
- South African Police Service (SAPS) uses SAPS
- Small craft licensing: You can recognise and identify a licensed vessel by the license number it must display on the sides. The number consists of a prefix identifying the licensing authority, followed by a number identifying the vessel, and any applicable category letters.
Ostani zdrav
- Malarija is endemic to some regions in the north east of the country. For divers this is mainly northern KwaZulu-Natal.
- Bilharzia is also endemic to some regions on the east coast, but only affects fresh water, so is not generally a problem to divers.
- HIV is widespread. However it is not really a particular problem for recreational divers.
 | COVID-19 informacije: Recreational scuba is not allowed during level 5 or 4 lock down. The rules for level 3 lock down are less clear, but the use of private boats for self-drive excursion activities for recreational scuba is permitted by the Department of Environmental Affairs, subject to the existing permit conditions. Use of rental scuba equipment may be a health risk as there does not appear to be any consensus on effective measures to reliably disinfect scuba equipment that do not damage the equipment. Check with the shop how they disinfect equipment between users, and check whether what they do is recognised as effective against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. |
| (Information last updated 25 Jun 2020) |
Delo
A recreational diving certification does not qualify you to work as a diver except as recreational divemaster or instructor. All other underwater work done for reward or as part of your employment requires registration as a commercial diver, or a recognised foreign equivalent. This includes scientific diving, including for your own postgraduate research at most universities, and at all research institutions.
The recreational diving industry is specifically excluded from the scope of the South African Department of Employment and Labour's Diving Regulations, but not from the rest of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its other relevant regulations.
Citizen science data collection, whether entirely autonomous, or as part of an organised project, is not considered to be within the scope of the diving regulations provided that each diver is personally responsible for the planning and execution of all their dives, and not under the direction of any other person regarding the safety of the dive.
Nauči se
Recreational diver training
All major diving centres in South Africa have recreational diver training schools. Most of the major international diver certification agencies are represented in South Africa. See also the regional dive guides for local details.
Tej vključujejo:
- PADI
- NAUI
- CMAS
- SSI
- IANTD
- TDI/SDI
- RAID
Technical diver training
Technical diver training is available at the major centres such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, and at Badgat, also marketed as Komati Springs, where the site is suitable for deep and cave diving throughout the year. Rebreather training is available, but only where there is an instructor certified to train the specific equipment. This varies from time to time.
Commercial diver training
(Including scientific diving and public safety diving)
The South African Department of Employment and Labour certifications in Commercial Diving are recognised by the International Diver Recognition and Certification Forum. Divers holding certification that is recognised by the IDRCF may legally work as commercial divers in countries represented on the forum, provided that other visa and work permit conditions are complied with.
There is not a great deal of commercial diving work in South Africa, and the pay is not very good by world standards, but the training is cheaper than in most other countries on the IDRCF, and as a result South Africa has become a training destination for foreign commercial divers. Learner divers from Europe have commented that the cost of training at home covers the training costs, medical examination, travel and living expenses and enough change for an additional vacation in South Africa. South African commercial diver training is also popular with learner divers from many countries where there is no officially sanctioned commercial diver training system, and the certification, though there is no guarantee of employment, allows the holder to apply for lucrative work in the international offshore petrochemical industry.
A reasonable ability to communicate in English is a prerequisite, and medical fitness to dive must be verified by a medical practitioner registered as a Diving Medical Practitioner with the South African Department of Employment and Labour. Foreign medical certificates of fitness to dive are not recognised for commercial diving.
Preberite
- Branch, G. and Branch, M. 1981, The Living Shores of Southern Africa, Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 0-86977-1159
- Branch, G.M. Griffiths,C.L. Mranch, M.L and Beckley, L.E. Revised edition 2010, Two Oceans – A guide to the marine Life of Southern Africa, David Philip, Cape Town. ISBN 978 1 77007 772 0
- Gosliner, T. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Arica, Sea Challengers & Jeff Hamann, Monterey. ISBN 0930118138
- Heemstra, P. and Heemstra E. 2004, Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa, NISC/SAIAB, Grahamstown.
- Ed. Smith, M.M. and Heemstra, P. 2003 Smith’s Sea Fishes. Struik, Cape Town. (Authoritative, large and expensive)
Regional references
Zahodna obala
- Stegenga, H. Bolton, J.J. and Anderson, R.J. 1997, Seaweeds of the South African West Coast. Bolus Herbarium, Cape Town. ISBN 079921793X (rather technical)
Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula and environs
KwaZulu-Natal
- De Clerck, O. Bolton, J.J. Anderson, R.J. and Coppejans, E. 2005,Guide to the seaweeds of KwaZulu-Natal Scripta Botanica Belgica; vol 33, National Botanic Gardens, Meise, Belgium. ISBN 9072619641
- King, D. 1996 Reef Fishes and Corals: East coast of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 1868259811
- King, D. and Fraser, V. 2002, More Reef Fishes and Nudibranchs, Struik, Cape Town, ISBN 186872686X