Diving & Travel Guide to Eastern Cape – Port Elizabeth & Algoa Bay

About Eastern Cape – Port Elizabeth & Algoa Bay

The Eastern Cape and Algoa Bay region offers South Africa's most historically rich wreck diving alongside dramatic offshore pinnacles teeming with marine life. Algoa Bay alone hosts over a dozen historic wrecks spanning from the 1755 Doddington treasure wreck to the 1889 Italina iron barque, creating an underwater museum of maritime history. The spectacular Riy Banks pinnacle rises from deep water attracting ragged-tooth sharks in summer, game fish, and spectacular wall formations covered in colourful invertebrates. The region also provides excellent macro diving at Bell Buoy with Knysna seahorse sightings, accessible shore diving at Hobie Beach, and dramatic shark-filled channels at Cape Recife. During the annual Sardine Run from May to July, the Eastern Cape coastline becomes part of the greatest marine spectacle on Earth with massive baitballs attracting thousands of predators. Port Elizabeth combines urban convenience with outstanding diving and proximity to Addo Elephant National Park.

Highlights

• ✓Multiple historic wrecks from 1755 to modern era in Algoa Bay
• ✓Riy Banks pinnacle with ragged-tooth sharks and spectacular walls
• ✓Annual Sardine Run passage from May to July
• ✓Shore diving at Hobie Beach Slipway with macro life
• ✓Cape Recife pinnacles with shark-filled channels
• ✓Seahorse sightings at Bell Buoy reef

Getting There

Fly to Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) with direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Dive sites are accessible within 15-60 minutes from the city by boat or car.