Summer

6 KwaZulu-Natal diving and snorkeling spots to try this summer

The KwaZulu-Natal coastline is blessed with balmy weather year in and year out and blue, crystal clear serenity of the warm Indian Ocean makes the province divers and snorkelers paradise for so many reasons. It’s the land of an endless summer and with so many coastal areas, reefs and warm waters to explore it’s no wonder Kwazulu-Natal keeps getting the number one rated dive and snorkeling locations in the country. Here are 6 must-visit diving and snorkeling destinations on your next trip to the warmest province in South Africa. Diving Spots Raggie Cave/ Shark alley – Aliwal Shoal This death-defying dive situated in the Aliwal Shoal is widely considered to be one of the top rated dive sites in the world for various reasons. The 80,000-year-old sandstone reef provides an excellent location for spotting and swimming with one of the most respected and feared marine animals the shark. Ragged Tooth, Tiger and Hammerhead sharks are the found sharks of this dive site hence the name of the dive spot. Sardine Run – Protea Banks The sardine run which spans from the Eastern Cape to this iconic coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal really is one of the most spectacular diving experiences on planet earth. Every year around June and July thousands upon thousands of sardines are found migrating from cold cape waters to warm KwaZulu-Natal ones, this brouhaha creates a marine festival as other bigger ocean predators follow the sardines to gauge themselves on fresh fish making it a visual treat for anyone fascinated by the ocean and diving. Hire a car in Durban to accommodate your travel. Uniforms – Sodwana Bay Forming a part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is this slightly less challenging dive situated in Sodwana Bay nearing towards the Ponto Do Oro border of Mozambique. The reef is said to go on for as long as 5 miles and is home to Tiger Angelfish, purple butterfly fish and the yellowtail goldie fish. The water temperatures become warm and pleasant during the December period and this is also when the turtles that inhabit the area lay their eggs which are also deemed to be a great event to witness for wildlife enthusiasts. Snorkeling Spots Umdloti Pools This seasonally quiet seaside village has become a popular snorkeling destination over the years not just because of its proximity to more urban hubs nearby such as Durban or Umhlanga but also because of its undeniable beauty and charm. The Umdloti tidal pools create a great area for snorkeling and during low tides create an area which is considered an amazing place to escape the Kwazulu-Natal sun for a while and get up close and personal with the ocean. It’s also a short drive from the King Shaka International airport and the entire North Coast of KZN offers similar beaches that are also suitable for snorkeling. Salt Rock Tidal Pool This is one of the more popular snorkeling locations on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal for various reasons. This is the precise reason why you might want to visit this picturesque part of the world from the end of May when the weather is slightly cooler and the seas a little clearer and more radiating. However the sea temperatures are slightly cooler during this time of year so wearing a wetsuit is optimal if one wishes to snorkel for longer hours, but it isn’t mandatory. Some of the species of fish the area is famous for is Parrotfish, blacktail, butterflyfish, sergeant majors, Moorish idol and the gold bar wrasse. Vetch’s Pier What’s great about this snorkeling and diving site is it’s situated within the urban hub of Durban so there are loads of other things to do and explore once you have finished your snorkel. What’s also nice about it is on the main promenade there is a dive shop where one can buy and rent all the necessary equipment which one might need to complete a successful snorkel. The harbor wall is the main location not far from the famous Vetch’s Reef and some of the marine life which divers and snorkelers are expected to see include Rays, octopus, tobies, electric rays, damselfish, moray eels, shoals of Fusiliers, chocolate dips, and butterfly fish. Source: divesouthafrica.com

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Emdoneni News

Have a SUN SAFE Summer

It’s natural to want to get out in the sun during warm summer days. It should also be second nature to take steps to protect your skin from the sun when you go outside. Ultraviolet (UV) rays – from the sun and other sources like tanning beds – are the #1 cause of skin cancer. Too much exposure can also cause sunburn, eye damage, and premature wrinkles. But shielding your skin with clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and staying in the shade can help lower your risk. Take these steps to stay sun-safe: Cover up: When you are out in the sun, wear clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect as much skin as possible. Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV light. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher: Reapply at least every 2 hours, as well as after swimming or sweating. Seek shade: Limit your direct exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps: Both can cause serious long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer. Choosing the right sunscreen While you should use sunscreen every day of the year, it’s even more important during the summer, when the days are longer, the sun is stronger, and it’s easier to spend more time outdoors. When choosing sunscreen, read the label before you buy. US Food and Drug Administration regulations require the labels to follow certain guidelines: Choose a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. All sunscreen products protect against UVB rays, which are the main cause of sunburn. But UVA rays also contribute to skin cancer and premature aging. Only products that pass a test can be labeled “broad spectrum.” Products that aren’t broad spectrum must carry a warning that they only protect against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%; SPF 50 sunscreens filter about 98%, and SPF 100 filter about 99%. No sunscreen protects you completely. The FDA requires any sunscreen with an SPF below 15 to carry a warning that it only protects against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging. “Water resistant” does not mean “waterproof.” No sunscreens are waterproof or “sweatproof,” and manufacturers are not allowed to claim that they are. If a product’s front label makes claims of being water resistant, it must specify whether it lasts for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. For best results, reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating. Sunscreen usually rubs off when you towel yourself dry, so you will need to put more on. source: caner.org

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Emdoneni Tips & Information

Kwazulu-Natal Summer Packing List – what to wear

Affectionately called KZN by the locals, the KwaZulu-Natal Province is a popular tourist hotspot for many reasons. One of the most significant of these, though, is its year-round summery conditions along the long coastline. Caressed by the arm waters of the inviting Indian Ocean, the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal continue to lure visitors from all over South Africa and the world to enjoy their sunny vacation here. Of course, as one moves further inland, the temperatures drop a little and the humidity decreases. Still, KwaZulu-Natal continues to be the destination of choice for those that want to experience the balmy South African weather conditions. Durban is the capital city of the province and is home to the King Shaka International Airport. This city and its surrounds are acclaimed for having an average of 320 days of sunshine each year. The entire province experiences high summer temperatures, averaging around 30 degrees and accompanied by a marked humidity. WHAT TO PACK: SUMMER (DECEMBER TO MARCH): Summers are hot, humid and sticky in this province. This is also the season during which most of the rain occurs, which means having to be well prepared in terms of what to wear. The wrong wardrobe will lead to massive discomfort and ruin the impact of this beautiful destination. Opt for clothing that is light in weight and that allows air to flow freely onto the body. The sun in KwaZulu-Natal is powerful, and every measure should be taken to protect the eyes and skin from its harmful effects. Swimming costumes are essential as you are sure to spend plenty of time on the beautiful beaches A hat and protective sunglasses Shorts, skirts, tops, t-shirts, and summer dresses that are cool and comfortable Comfortable walking shoes An umbrella or light raincoat A good quality sunscreen that does not block the pores, and allows sweating 4 HOT SPOTS: Now that you know what to wear, you can start exploring these hotspots close to us! Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserve St Lucia Cape Vidal Beach Sodwana Beach Any Question? Make use of our LIVE CHAT feature below.

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