Umkomaas

Afrikaans name: Umkomaas

Umkomaas

Photo © Steven Herbert

KwaZulu-Natal

The town of Umkomaas was established way back in 1861 when a harbour was established to export sugar.

The town is situated at the mouth of the Mkhomazi River which, in the Zulu language, refers back to a time when whales used to give birth to their calves in the area. Wouldn't it be great if this still happened today?

Umkomaas has historically had an Italian influence which dates back to the time when the huge Saiccor plant was built nearby.

Umkomaas is known around the world as the launch spot for divers wanting to visit Aliwal Shoal. The shoal is 5 km from the shore and boats full of divers shuttle backwards and forwards.

Have you been to Umkomaas for a diving trip or other purpose?

References and further reading

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 115

The Dive Sites of South Africa - Author: Anton Koornhof - Published: 1992 - Page: 114

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 332

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 216

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 223

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 150

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 190

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 127

For more info: Wikipedia

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