Fees · Destination Guide
Deep drift shark diving on KwaZulu-Natal's Hibiscus Coast
Key fee: Protea Banks MPA scuba diving business permit (operator requirement)
Operator permit (cost not public)
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Protea Banks does not use a simple pay-on-arrival diver tag system like some island marine parks. Instead, it sits inside the Protea Banks Marine Protected Area (MPA), where commercial scuba operations and any shark-attraction activity require permits. Most visitors will not buy permits directly, but you should confirm your operator is compliant, especially for baited shark dives. Separate permits apply for fishing and spearfishing, and some inland reserves charge their own entry fees.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protea Banks MPA scuba diving business permit (operator requirement) |
Operator permit (cost not public)
As per permit conditions
| Dive operators |
| Issued by South Africa's national environmental authority (permit application to the Minister) |
Commercial SCUBA diving businesses operating inside the MPA must hold a permit. As a traveler, choose established operators and ask about their permit status. |
| Shark attraction (chumming) permit for snorkeling or SCUBA diving | Operator permit (cost not public) As per permit conditions | Operators offering baited shark dives | Issued by South Africa's national environmental authority (permit application to the Minister) | Attracting sharks inside the MPA for snorkeling or SCUBA diving requires a permit. If a charter advertises baited shark dives, confirm compliance before booking. |
| South Africa visa (if required for your nationality) | Varies by nationality Varies by visa type | International visitors (some nationalities are visa-exempt) | South African Department of Home Affairs or official eVisa portal (where available) | Entry rules and fees change. Verify requirements before you fly, especially if you are traveling with minors or transiting through multiple countries. |
| Nature reserve entry fees (topside add-ons) | Varies by reserve and visitor type Per entry or per day | Topside visitors | At reserve gates or via the relevant reserve authority | If you add Oribi Gorge or other reserves to your itinerary, check current tariffs and hours. Keep cash as a backup. |
Fee
As per permit conditions
Commercial SCUBA diving businesses operating inside the MPA must hold a permit. As a traveler, choose established operators and ask about their permit status.
As per permit conditions
Attracting sharks inside the MPA for snorkeling or SCUBA diving requires a permit. If a charter advertises baited shark dives, confirm compliance before booking.
Varies by visa type
Entry rules and fees change. Verify requirements before you fly, especially if you are traveling with minors or transiting through multiple countries.
Per entry or per day
If you add Oribi Gorge or other reserves to your itinerary, check current tariffs and hours. Keep cash as a backup.