A South African Spearfishing website for local and overseas divers.
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This site is aimed at local and visiting spearfishermen. With our unique coastal seas, both in fish diversity and conditions, we have a wealth of exciting experiences for the most ardent of spearfishermen.
From our blue water hunting along the Zululand coast where big game fish are plentiful, to our wreck diving where giant kingfish and 40kg salmon are regularly speared. There is something for everyone. Monthly reports, dive sites, hunting techniques to name a few of the topics that will keep you up to date with what is happening on the spearfishing scene.
The site covers the Zululand and Natal coastal waters and will be extended to cover other popular spearfishing venues, both local and outside our borders.
Safe diving
Coatesman's Freediving & Spearfishing
Suppliers & Stockists of all leading Brands of Spearfishing & Free Diving Equipment.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySpearfishing Equipment for South Africa
This is the type of gear needed for local conditions.
Kwazulu Natal enjoys a sub-tropical climate with mild winters and hot steamy summers. Summer water temperatures are around 24°C and the use of a 3mm wetsuit is more than adequate. For the winter months May-August you need a 5mm wetsuit with sea temperatures as low as 18°C. The water only warms up enough for a change to the summer suits by November. The standard size gun is a 1.2m barrel length and is used for both game and reef fish. Reel guns are starting to become more and more popular, with the float and line system still the most widely used. As most divers do a fair amount of both shore and boat diving, stiff bladed long fins are preferred. They are cheaper and more suited to the rough treatment that shore diving hands out than the carbonfibre type used by some of the deep diving fraternity. The surf-ski modified for diving or fishing is also becoming quite popular as a diving tool. This is a cheaper way to get out to the deeper spots and still have the safety of a boat to get onto should the need arise. It is also a lot friendlier to the ocean than the outboard motors used on boats.
- Wetsuit:
3mm top and bottom for summer(november-may)
5mm top and bottom for winter(june-october) - Goggles / Masks: low volume silicone
- Snorkel: silicone snorkel
- Flippers/Fins: long bladed with removable blades
- Weight belt: rubber or elasticized with quick release
- Float/ line: moulded foam of bright colour with 30m line for shore dive and 40m line for boat dive
- Spear Gun: 1.3m barrel rail gun with 1.7m spear or standard 1.2m barrel with 1.7m spear. Spears made mostly from 7mm spring steel with stainless steel favoured by some. Most guns are fitted with one rubber which is adequate for all occasions. Gut is the most popular spear line
- Booties: neoprene booties or socks
- Gloves: Knitted gloves with tough flexible coating
- Knife: small with good cutting edge
- Stringer: 20cm stainless spike with length of cable attached to float by swivel
- Net: net with draw string opening attached to float for rock lobster or abalone
- A licence is needed to spearfish or for rock lobster and abalone. These licences are available at any post office or conservation office. They cost R50 per licence. The diver needs to acquaint himself with the relevant regulations regarding the licence purchased.
Spearfishing in action
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Night action snorkel...
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Freefalling
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- Spearfishing and Freediving in South Africa, dive sites, equipment, gear, latest conditions, regulations and more.
Spearfishing Regulations in Natal
The Marine Living Resources act of 1998 and the regulation gazette No6284 that goes with the act are the relevant documents to get should you like to study them in full. There are going to be some amendments made to them this year, mainly regarding size limits and a quota drop on certain species.
The main thrust of the new act was that everyone taking something from the sea would now need a permit to do so. Previously fishermen were excluded from the permit system. The regulations to the act contain all the important restrictions like size limits and bag limits.
The main thrust of the new act was that everyone taking something from the sea would now need a permit to do so. Previously fishermen were excluded from the permit system. The regulations to the act contain all the important restrictions like size limits and bag limits.
- Spearfishing and Freediving in South Africa
- Spearfishing and Freediving in South Africa, dive sites, equipment, gear, latest conditions, regulations and more.
There are two types Dives.
The shore diveTwo divers start a dive at an entry point, and depending on the current, drift over reefs known in the area. Most shore dives last in the region of 3-4 hours. On a shore dive you would probably not go much deeper than 60 foot and in the season will also catch 8 rocklobster during a dive. Weather and time permitting, most divers plan for two shore dives in a day.
The boat dive
This entails an early launch with 3 or 4 divers, depending on the boat size. A much bigger area is dived and depths vary from 60 to a 120 foot depending on the divers ability. In both types of dives the plan is to do an early morning hunt for whichever gamefish is running and then a scout for reef fish hot spots later. In the last couple of years spearfishermen have started to dive the undived realm. Guys going 20miles+ out to sea and diving pinnacles that come up to 35m such as high points off Mtunzini to mention one. Also diving deep spots in bad viz with a shark pod on and using the pod to dive where there are a lot of great white sharks.
The Shark Files
- The Shark Files
- To most people the word shark conjures up images of a deadly assassin awaiting their next outing to the sea. Fishermen also go weak at the knees at the thought of falling overboard into shark infested waters. As a spearfisherman you have to come to terms with sharks as you will encounter them from time to time in your diving career. They are certainly not the deadly foe that many people perceive them to be. Most attacks on humans are probably a case of mistaken identity.It is always interesting to hear of another divers experiences with sharks and hopefully it will conform to what you expect a shark to do. safe diving.
South African Spearfishing Equipment
- Spearfishing fins
- Hybrid Professional
Our flagship! This fin has been developed to fill the needs of the most demanding and dedicated of spearos. The unique shape is to provide maximal thrust and agility both on the surface and underwater. The blade structure is groundbreaking in taking best out of the fibreglass and carbon/kevlar worlds. - Rob Allen spearguns, railguns and other spearfishing and freediving accessories.
- Rob Allen and Dive Factory are responsible for the production of the railgun and other spearfishing and freediving equipment. Manufacturers and exporters of quality freediving and spearfishing equipment. The DIVE FACTORY brings you the ROB ALLEN RAILGUN, the most acurate and ....
- S.A. Spearfishing - speargun South Africa distributors spearfishing equipment, spearguns, freediving
- Exporters, Distributors South African spearfishing equipment (Railguns, spearguns): Rabitech Stealth and Freedivers.
- Champion Divers - The Champion in Freediving Equipment
- Welcome to Champion Divers, the Champion in Freediving Equipment.
We are suppliers of OmerSub and Picasso freediving and spearfishing equipment. - Orca Apnea Products, Orca Spearguns, Underwater Hockey Pucks, Spearfishing Equipment
- Get the no-holds-barred rundown on the in's and out's of the Scuba, Spearfishing, Freediving and Underwater Hockey world
Diving spots
On the South African Coast
Kwazulu Natal has much to offer the spearfisherman. With the Zululand spots such as Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay having all year round diving conditions and lots of big gamefish action. The world record black marlin was shot in this area recently. To our wreck diving where 40kg+ dagga salmon are often speared and big ignoblis kingfish provide some thrilling action. Influenced by the warm Agulhas and Mozambique currents which flow southwards down this section of the coast, our waters are home to a rich diversity of fish life. On any dive spearfishermen can expect to encounter large gamefish along with the many different types of reef fish found here. Spearfishing only enjoys a relatively small following in numbers when compared to the sport of angling, but is one of those sports that once the bug is with you it never leaves. The small numbers together with other inhibiting factors such as dirty water and rough seas at certain times of the year, have ensured that the pressure of spearfishing on the fish stocks over the years has not been too great. Thereby providing a natural control and ensuring that there is lots of good diving still to be had in these waters.
- North Coast (Zululand), Sodwana Bay to Kosi
- It is 70km north of Sodwana Bay and is best dived from...
35km north of Sodwana and provides some excellent gamefish diving..
Approximately 25km north of Sodwana and has extensive reef...
This is a reef known to most local spearfishermen and produced a 242kg...
Sodwana is well known scuba dive spot...
Situated at the southern end of the St Lucia reserve, Cape Vidal...
Opposite the sand dune for which it is named, and 5km north of Vidal...
The point at Vidal is also a good spot for queen mackerel and some...
Situated straight out to sea from the St Lucia lighthouse this is one of the best diving spots.... - North Coast, Zinkwazi through Bodasing to Jex Estate
- Approximately 100km north of Durban, Zinkwazi...
Bodasing lies between Zinkwazi and blythedale and is better...
Blythedale is located approximately 90km north of Durban...
Park at Blythedale and walk 2km south to river mouth... - North Coast, Grouteville to Tinley Manor
- You need a boat to dive these reefs as access is through private farms...
A boat is desirable here, but walk north from Tinley north point opposite...
Take the Tinley Manor turn-off approximately 70km north of Durban.. - North Coast, Sheffield to Stud
- Take Salt Rock turn-off 60km north of Durban...
Just north of the Salt Rock hotel is a sanded-up tidal pool...
On the beach road from Durban, turn right towards the sea at the... - North Coast, Seabelle`s to Peace Cottage
- Park in the car park at the Seabelle hotel which is reached by taking the La Mercy...
Take Umdloti turn-off 30km north of Durban...
Take Umdloti turn-off and go to the end of south beach road.... - North Coast, Umhlanga to Durban
- Take Umhlanga turn-off 20km north of Durban...
Off Durban you have the No1 reef which can only be dived from a boat..... - South Coast, Bluff to the Cutting
- Around the corner from the harbour entrance you have the bluff reefs...
This spot can only be dived from a boat and lies south of the Coopers lighthouse....
The Cutting is a backline reef which lies north and south of the Umlaas cutting... - South Coast, Isipingo to Warner Beach
- 16km south of Durban, take Isipingo/Prospecton off-ramp....
In 20m+ off tiger rocks is the start of the ATHLONE LEDGE which runs all the way to Amanzimtoti...
Take the Sea Doone turn-off from the N2 south,28km... - South Coast, Umgababa to Nebo Wrecks
- This reef needs to be dived from a boat as it is dangerous to leave your car here...
5km out to sea straight off the greenpoint lighthouse, you have the Aliwal Shoal...
These two wrecks are near the shoal and are great places to spearfish when conditions are good... - South Coast, Widenham Point to Scottburgh
- Take Umgababa turn-off and follow coast road southwards....
Carry on with the coastal road and turn left at the Clansthal turn-off....
55km south of Durban. Follow sign boards to main bathing beach... - South Coast, Park Rynie to Sezela
- Take the Park Rynie off-ramp 60km south of Durban...
Go past the Rocky Bay turn-off for 6km. Take the Pennington turn-off...
This is a further 4.5km along the coastal road from the pennington turn-off... - South Coast, Bazely to Mtwalume
- The next point down from Sezela is Bazely...
81km south of Durban, take Ifafa turn-off and follow road to beach car park...
86km south of Durban, take turn-off and follow road to beach car park at toilets.. - South Coast, Turton to Hibberdene
- Turton is the next point south after the railway bridge as you first turn into Mtwalume..
Umfazazaan has reef from the backline out to 18m+
Hibberdene is approximately 96km south of Durban - South Coast, Umzumbe Point to Uvongo
- he next prominent point south from Hibberdene is Umzumbe point. This point is a prime..
This area includes Sunwich Port,Southport and Sea Park and has very productive reef along the whole stretch. The 15m+ drifts...
Take the ski-boat base turn-off and park at the base,120km south of Durban.Swim out just south of the tidal pool in the bay... - South Coast, Ramsgate to Port Edward
- Go through Ramsgate and turn left into Frant Drive...
Take the Southbroom turn-off and follow the road to the main bathing beach at the lagoon. The rocky points to the...
This area includes Trafalgar,Palm Beach,and glenmore. On calm days there is good inshore hunting here with lots of bronzies and other...
Clubs in South Africa for spearfishing
- Salt Rock spearfishing and free diving club South Africa
- Salt Rock Spearfishing Club is a group of freedivers only using a speargun, dedicated to the art of freediving and spearfishing,
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