Umkomaas combines a strong connection to local nature with a close relationship to the sea. Trips for shark cage diving depart from the town; Empisini Nature Reserve has walking trails, picnic facilities and good birdwatching opportunities. Aliwal Shoal, with its corals, reef fish and turtles, lies just off the coast. These highlights differ in their setting and activities: a trip through the surf zone, a reef offshore and time in a nature reserve. You can plan your visit around the experiences that interest you.
Shark Cage Diving and Aliwal Shoal
Aliwal Dive Centre runs shark cage diving trips from Umkomaas through the surf zone to an area south of Aliwal Shoal. The departure point and destination are therefore in different locations: Aliwal Shoal lies just off the coast of Umkomaas, while the trip described goes south of the reef. The reef has corals, reef fish and turtles. Sea conditions and trip availability may vary; check these details before planning around them.
Empisini Nature Reserve
Empisini Nature Reserve in Umkomaas offers picnic facilities beside a scenic dam, several walking trails and good birdwatching opportunities. Animals that may be seen in the reserve include vervet monkeys, large-spotted genets and blue duikers. Check current access and facilities before visiting.
The choice of experience is clear: the reserve offers trails, picnic facilities and birdwatching, while shark cage diving is a trip through the surf zone to an area south of the reef. This gives you a choice between spending time in a nature reserve and enjoying a sea-based excursion.
More Experiences in the Wider Durban Metro Destination
In the wider Durban Metro destination, cultural attractions in eThekwini complement the local focus on nature and the sea. The municipal museums of the eThekwini Municipality include the Durban Local History Museums, which cover cultural and historical heritage; the Durban Art Gallery, which focuses on visual art; and the Durban Natural Science Museum, which covers natural science aspects of heritage. There are 19 Local History Museums sites in eThekwini; they are managed entirely by the Municipality. As the museum collection may change, check the current selection before visiting.
uShaka Sea World is also part of the wider Durban Metro destination: Sea World is an aquarium with dolphin shows, seal viewing and penguin presentations; uShaka Wet n Wild is a water park. The show schedule may change, so if you are planning a visit, check the current program. A bird’s-eye flight experience offers another perspective: World Of Wings lists Durban Harbour, Umkomaas, Aliwal Shoal, Scottburgh and places as far as the Wild Coast as possible views in the wider region.
The eThekwini Municipality stretches from cosmopolitan coastal areas in the north to rugged valleys in the west. This range provides a geographic context for the wider Durban Metro destination.
Discover more destinations: Waterfall, Westville, La Mercy, Durban South, Pinetown, Mt Edgecombe, Westbrook, Hillcrest.
Go to the wider travel overview: Ethekwini.
