One of South Africa’s best kept secrets, this group of reefs lies between two and four kilometers offshore and at a depth of twenty to forty meters is for advanced divers. Just a 10 minute drive south of Umkomaas/Aliwal Shoal.
Landers Reef:
Average depth 21 – 32 meters: large pinnacle, large rocks, huge crevasses and ravines with small patches of sand between the reefs, caves and ledges
Finger Reef:
Average depth 22 – 35 meters: Simply the best untouched and virgin reef there is!
Butchers Reef:
Average Depth 18 -25 Meters: Boulders, rocks with large cracks and ravines are characteristic of this reef north of Landers. The reef has a wall-like formation approximately 6 meters high. Tropical fish such as trumpet fish, geometric moray eel, Natal sea catfish, speckled shrimp, batfish, and false stonefish are just a few of the species found here. There is a resident loggerhead turtle that sleeps in one of the many caves and ledges. This reef is also known as the Juvenile Nursery. Many species of hard and soft coral.
Cowrie Reef:
Average depth 19 to 25 meters – large rocks scattered with patches of sand in between and ledges with ledges and small holes in the reef where Triggerfish hide. There are a large number of different species of cowrie shells on this reef that sit next to or on top of the large sea sponges. Coral life consists of soft coral like dead man’s finger, various colors of polyp coral swaying in the surf, black coral trees and fern green coral with clouds of Goldies swimming around them. Also keep an eye out for nudibranchs; various colors and sizes. Hard coral consists of smooth horn coral and leather coral.
Exterior Landers:
Average Depth 20 – 28 Meters: A reef wall that runs from North to South. On the ledge you can find pinnacles that form an enclosure for marine life. The rocks create nice swims and ravines. Most of the common species of tropical fish are seen here, although this is one of the deeper dives and there tend to be thermoclines here and there. Batfish, fusiliers, jagged tooth sharks, nudibranchs, and rock lobsters are a common sight among the many coral species.
Umzamai Wall:
Average depth 23 – 39 meters: huge rocks, with large cracks, scattered rocks and ravines to swim. On the coastal side there is a wall almost 20 meters high with ledges and a cave on the north side. Large black coral trees, polyp coral, white and pink thistle coral, green fern coral and much more to see on this untouched reef. The fish in this area are curious and are not used to diving. Big Moorish Idols, Snappers, Triggerfish, Model Tobies and Boxy’s.