Transkei spearfishing

[Johannes Petrus]

Hi
A friend and I will be working at Zithulele hospital for 4 weeks from the 07/01/14 - 01/08/14. The hospital is close to HITW and our closest beach is Lubanzi beach.  We are both keen spearo's and we would like to do as much diving as possible. Advice on where to dive and species to target would be appreciated. Also it would be great if we could tag along on a boat dive if anyone is there at the same time.
Kind regards
JP du Toit

 

[Patrick]

I think in front of Queens is the place to dive. I've seen photos of some HUGE fish that were shot there. They're up on the wall in the HITW hotel bar. Give the hotel a call, I'm sure they'll be best to guide you on the best spots to dive.

 

[tkei]

Boat launch wise, you are limited to HITW and Mpami. The other places are not legal launch sites. Dont go there. You will be fined, and it ruins it for the guys that have worked to get legal launch sites.

Spearing wise, the whole HITW/ Mbolompo/ black rock area is good. Mbolomp probably the best for Leerie/ yellowtail etc. Obviously if the fish are on, the fishermen are there en mass and it can and does get heated between the spearo's and boat fishermen and the R&S guys.
For the reef fuiish there is lots of reef in the area and it will depend ont he competence of the divers as to how deep you go. The pinnacles at HITW, Queen, Black rock are all good as are the reefs between HITW and Mbolompo.
North towards mapuzi is also good (Hlunguwana) etc but north of Coffee Bay tends to be ont he dirty side due to Umtata River. You need to run north of Mdumbi to find decent water again, but that side can be hit and miss as there are more bigger rivers up north of CB. Even if there is not much rain the rivers can cause havoc.
Hope this helps.