Here’s one for the adventure bucket list!

Try something new this summer and take the family for a swim with sharks. Yes, sharks! Discover why divers from all over the world rate KwaZulu-Natal as a top dive destination.

EAT HERE

The Anchorage Beach Restaurant There’s a long deck that runs the length of the restaurant. It’s a great spot for lunch, where you can relax while the kids play on the beach. They also offer cooked meals like chicken pie, bobotie and lasagne for delivery. Call Annerie ( 083 415 2186) before 11 am the day before to place your order. From R55 and options change weekly.

Opening times: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 9.30 pm.

Where? Main Road

Contact: 028 537 1330

Pili Pili

Great for cocktails or a casual pizza. The beach bar outside is a hit with youngsters during peak season. It’s right on the river and offers great views across the water to Infanta. Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 8.30 am to 10 pm.

Where? Joseph Barry Drive Contact: 028 537 1018

Koffie ’n Kletz

Don’t leave without ordering a roosterkoek – a plain one costs R9, with curried mince R45. They also have cakes, and good coffee. Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm. Where? Joseph Barry Drive, at

The Woolshed

Contact: 084 463 2779

STAY HERE

Barry’s Self-Catering

Holiday Accommodation

Owned by Helen and Owen Jarman. They manage a bunch of properties in town that cater for all budgets: from their Poshpackers (from R550 for a double room) to larger houses. Give them a call on 082 850 4318 or e-mail them at accom@ witsand.co.za to find a spot that suits your needs.

Breede River Lodge

Situated right on the river, this spot is great for families. It’s connected to Pili Pili restaurant, should you want to pop over with the kids for a pizza, and there’s a swimming pool on site. Mooring services are available. Call 079 561 8425 to arrange.

Rates: A family of four can stay comfortably in a standard twobedroom cottage, from R1 139 per night (off season).

Contact: 028 537 1631; breederiverlodge.co.za

Mudlark Riverfront Lodge, Infanta This lodge has a stunning indigenous garden that leads right to the banks of the Breede River and attracts all manner of birdlife. There are also canoes for guests to use. Rates: From R970 per person. Contact: 082 733 0236; mudlark.co.za

Sharks and beaches go together like popcorn and a sequel to Sharknado. The beautiful beaches along the KZN South Coast attract loads of visitors, especially during the holiday season, and tourists will often ask about sharks before going for a surf or a swim. These animals hold a fascination for people, whether driven by fear, curiosity or love, people want to know more about them. And the best way to observe these enigmatic creatures is in their natural habitat. You don’t need to be a qualified diver or a strong swimmer to sign up for a shark experience.

South Africans are lucky to have access to a number of sites along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline that offer world-class shark encounters, customised to suit anyone, regardless of the season or their swimming and diving abilities.

At Aliwal Shoal, just an hour’s drive south of Durban, you have the chance to get close to blacktip sharks from the safety of a cage even if you are a non-diver or a nervous swimmer. You are guided by an experienced dive master and skipper, who will help get you into a wetsuit and life jacket – and into the cage. This experience is not only thrilling, but also allows you to get a better understanding of sharks. Keep an eye out for whales, turtles and dolphins on the boat ride. This experience is open to anyone over the age of 10, so it’s a great family holiday activity.

You can also bypass the cage and snorkel or dive with sharks on a baited dive. Most of these dives are in shallow water.

Qualified scuba-divers will be able to go deeper and enjoy diving with ragged tooth sharks during the winter months, and tiger sharks and Zambezis during summer.

Further down the coast, Protea Banks near Shelly Beach offers dive sites and strong currents for the advanced scuba-diver, with a few surprises: Zambezi sharks often cruise past divers who are busy with their mandatory 5-metre safety stop.

Consider booking one of these shark experiences the next time you are looking for an adventure. You can customise your encounter and, at the same time, do your bit to raise awareness for these oftmaligned creatures.

Book your shark experience

Aliwal Dive Centre for cage diving 039 973 2233; aliwalshoal.co.za

Aquaplanet for scuba-diving at Protea Banks 082 877 3966; aquaplanet.co.za

For general information about accommodation, places to eat and other activities, visit tourismsouthcoast.co.za