Diving inland in South Africa/Badgat

The dive site Komati Springs or Badgat is an inland freshwater cave system in a flooded mine at the foot of the mountains between Badplaas and Barberton in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. It is at an altitude of 915 m above sea level

Understand

Komati Springs is one of the most popular technical diving and technical diver training sites in inland South Africa due to the depth, accessibility, overhead environment and consistent conditions.

Originally an asbestos mine which was closed in 1972 and subsequently flooded. The free surface area of the open water section is about 110 m long and 50 m wide. The cave system of the old mine has 8 interconnecting levels with depths from 9 m to 186 m.

Position

Komati Springs is about three hours drive from Johannesburg.

This site is not in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.

Depth

Maximum depth found to date in the mine system is about 186 m, and 53 m in open water.

Visibility

5 to 40 m is reported.

Topography

Geology: The site is an abandoned and flooded asbestos mine. The surrounding area has been rehabilitated and is considered safe from asbestos contamination.

Conditions

The water temperature varies seasonally. In summer the surface temperature can rise to 25°C, dropping to about 20°C at about 30 m, and 17°C at depth. In winter the water drops to a consistent 17 to 18°C throughout the water column.

The site is diveable throughout the year.

Facilities
  • Permanent platforms at 5 and 10 m, with shotlines.
  • 300 bar Air, Nitrox, Trimix and Argon filling station on site.
  • Rebreather friendly
  • Dive shop on site with good selection of equipment and spares.
  • Equipment is available for rental, and must be booked in advance.
  • Accommodation is available at shady campsites with electrical power at the ablution block.
  • Students in training at the dive school can be accommodated at the dive centre, with kitchen facilities available.

Get in

This is a shore dive site.

See

Features

The cave system of the abandoned mine.

Photography

Suggested Routes

Stay safe

Hazards

Cave system, and deep water.

Skills

Cave certification is required to be allowed entry to the overhead areas, unless you are being trained as a cave diver at the time. Certification appropriate to the planned depth of the dive is required.

Equipment

Cave diving equipment is necessary for penetrations.

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