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.

It was 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.

Features
The cave system of the abandoned mine.

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.