Fees · Country Guide
South Africa
Two oceans, kelp forests, sharks, and winter pelagic expeditions
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park day access (Sodwana Bay sections) - R34 adult (South African resident) or R71 adult (international), per day (Sodwana Bay, indicative)
- iSimangaliso conservation and community levies (selected activities) - From R7 conservation levy and R12 accommodation levy (indicative, where applicable)
- Typical payment pattern: Fees in South Africa vary by protected area and activity.
What people usually pay
Fees in South Africa vary by protected area and activity. Many divers pay boat fees directly to operators, then add park entrance fees (especially in iSimangaliso and some Western Cape reserves). Marine Protected Area (MPA) rules can also include permit requirements for certain activities or businesses.
Treat all amounts as indicative and confirm with your operator or the relevant park authority before arrival.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iSimangaliso Wetland Park day access (Sodwana Bay sections) | R34 adult (South African resident) or R71 adult (international), per day (Sodwana Bay, indicative) per day | Visitors accessing [Sodwana Bay](/destinations/sodwana-bay-isimangaliso-south-africa) and nearby iSimangaliso sections | At iSimangaliso gates and reception points (payment methods vary by gate) | Fees can differ by park section, residency, and vehicle. Carry a cash backup for rural connectivity issues. |
| iSimangaliso conservation and community levies (selected activities) | From R7 conservation levy and R12 accommodation levy (indicative, where applicable) per entry or per night (varies) | Some stays and activities in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park region | Charged by accommodation or activity providers operating inside iSimangaliso | Ask your accommodation or dive operator what levies apply to your itinerary, especially if you are staying inside park-managed areas. |
| Walker Bay Nature Reserve day access (Whale Coast) | R65 adult / R45 child, per day (indicative) per day | Some land-based access and viewpoints near [Gansbaai](/destinations/gansbaai-south-africa) | Reserve entrance points | Useful for clifftop whale watching and shoreline walks. Fees may change by season. |
| De Hoop Nature Reserve day access (Western Cape) | R50 adult / R30 child, per day (indicative) per day | Selected Whale Coast and Overberg day trips | Reserve entrance points | De Hoop is often paired with Whale Coast itineraries for a strong conservation narrative and seasonal whale viewing. |
| Table Mountain National Park entry fees (Cape Peninsula sections) | Varies by park section and residency (international visitors often pay more) per day (or via multi-entry products where offered) | Topside access around [Cape Town](/destinations/cape-town-south-africa) (for example, Cape Peninsula sections) | SANParks gates and official online channels | If your trip includes multiple national parks, investigate multi-day or multi-park products (for example, Wild Card) to reduce per-entry costs. |
| Marine Protected Area (MPA) scuba diving permit (status can change) | Historically around ZAR R70 to R75 per year or ZAR R40 to R45 per month (indicative) monthly or annual | Scuba diving inside certain MPAs, depending on current regulations | Historically through approved outlets (often handled locally); confirm current process | MPA permitting has changed over time and can differ by area. Some recent regulatory updates focus on permits for scuba diving businesses rather than individual recreational divers. Treat this as a check-with-operator item. |
| Baited shark diving and commercial diving authorizations | Operator-held permit (not typically purchased directly by visitors) varies | Shark cage diving and some commercial dive activities (for example, parts of the Whale Coast and shark-focused reefs) | Handled by licensed operators | Choose licensed operators that can explain permits, wildlife interaction rules, and how they minimize impact. |
Fee
iSimangaliso Wetland Park day access (Sodwana Bay sections)
per day
- Amount
- R34 adult (South African resident) or R71 adult (international), per day (Sodwana Bay, indicative)
- Applies to
- Visitors accessing [Sodwana Bay](/destinations/sodwana-bay-isimangaliso-south-africa) and nearby iSimangaliso sections
- Where to pay
- At iSimangaliso gates and reception points (payment methods vary by gate)
- Notes
Fees can differ by park section, residency, and vehicle. Carry a cash backup for rural connectivity issues.
iSimangaliso conservation and community levies (selected activities)
per entry or per night (varies)
- Amount
- From R7 conservation levy and R12 accommodation levy (indicative, where applicable)
- Applies to
- Some stays and activities in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park region
- Where to pay
- Charged by accommodation or activity providers operating inside iSimangaliso
- Notes
Ask your accommodation or dive operator what levies apply to your itinerary, especially if you are staying inside park-managed areas.
Walker Bay Nature Reserve day access (Whale Coast)
per day
- Amount
- R65 adult / R45 child, per day (indicative)
- Applies to
- Some land-based access and viewpoints near [Gansbaai](/destinations/gansbaai-south-africa)
- Where to pay
- Reserve entrance points
- Notes
Useful for clifftop whale watching and shoreline walks. Fees may change by season.
De Hoop Nature Reserve day access (Western Cape)
per day
- Amount
- R50 adult / R30 child, per day (indicative)
- Applies to
- Selected Whale Coast and Overberg day trips
- Where to pay
- Reserve entrance points
- Notes
De Hoop is often paired with Whale Coast itineraries for a strong conservation narrative and seasonal whale viewing.
Table Mountain National Park entry fees (Cape Peninsula sections)
per day (or via multi-entry products where offered)
- Amount
- Varies by park section and residency (international visitors often pay more)
- Applies to
- Topside access around [Cape Town](/destinations/cape-town-south-africa) (for example, Cape Peninsula sections)
- Where to pay
- SANParks gates and official online channels
- Notes
If your trip includes multiple national parks, investigate multi-day or multi-park products (for example, Wild Card) to reduce per-entry costs.
Marine Protected Area (MPA) scuba diving permit (status can change)
monthly or annual
- Amount
- Historically around ZAR R70 to R75 per year or ZAR R40 to R45 per month (indicative)
- Applies to
- Scuba diving inside certain MPAs, depending on current regulations
- Where to pay
- Historically through approved outlets (often handled locally); confirm current process
- Notes
MPA permitting has changed over time and can differ by area. Some recent regulatory updates focus on permits for scuba diving businesses rather than individual recreational divers. Treat this as a check-with-operator item.
Baited shark diving and commercial diving authorizations
varies
- Amount
- Operator-held permit (not typically purchased directly by visitors)
- Applies to
- Shark cage diving and some commercial dive activities (for example, parts of the Whale Coast and shark-focused reefs)
- Where to pay
- Handled by licensed operators
- Notes
Choose licensed operators that can explain permits, wildlife interaction rules, and how they minimize impact.