South Sands
South Sands, located in South Africa near Umkomaas, is an ideal dive site for beginners. With a maximum depth of 17m and an average depth of 11m, it offers excellent visibility of up to 14m. Divers can expect to encounter large groups of Rays or Guitar sharks in this area. The clear sand patch at South Sands provides a stunning backdrop for the diverse marine life that calls this site home. Discover the talent and beauty of underwater creatures as they showcase themselves against the expansive canvas of South Sands.
Diving Conditions Score for South Sands
8
Very GoodVery good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for South Sands
Depth
17m
Visibility
14m
Experience Level
beginner
Weather Conditions for South Sands
Wave Height
1.28m
Wind Speed
4.7 m/s
Water Temp
22.9°C
Visibility
27.28km
Cloud Cover
95%
Wave Period
11s
Air Temperature
25.1°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for South Sands
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for South Sands
Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 7.877511827956989/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.4m, Wind 0.5 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 7.015566666666667/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at South Sands: 06:00
Sunset at South Sands: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at South Sands are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
15:00Score: 7.9/10
Waves: 1.4m (12.4s), Wind: 0.5 m/s
Best Night
18:00Score: 7.0/10
Waves: 1.48m, Wind: 3.3 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for South SandsAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at South Sands
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for South Sands
Summer
Avg. Score: 8.6/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for South Sands
July
Score: 8.7
June
Score: 8.6
August
Score: 8.5
Ideal Conditions for South Sands
Water Temp
21.9°C / 71.4°F
February
Visibility
12.0m / 39.4ft
May
Wave Height
1.5m / 4.9ft
February
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for South Sands
South Sands follows southern hemisphere patterns with February being the warmest month (21.9°C) and August the coldest (16.8°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in February with average wave heights of 1.5m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in February with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). March is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during February to April, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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