Scuba diving and snorkeling in South Africa

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the world's largest recreational diving membership and diver training organization founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson. PADI members, including dive centers, resorts, educational facilities, instructors, and divemasters, teach the majority of the world's recreational divers. PADI operates offices in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The corporate headquarters, PADI Worldwide, is located in California, United States of America. PADI Offices serve more than 130,000 individual professional members and more than 5,300 dive centers and resorts in more than 180 countries and territories. Translations of PADI materials are available in more than 26 languages. PADI courses range from entry levels (such as Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver) to master scuba diver and a range of instructor certificates. Via their affiliate Diving Science and Technology (DSAT) they also offer various "Technical" diver courses, including decompression diving, Trimix diving (a gas mixture used in deep-sea diving) and gas blending.

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MAPUTALAD – SODWAA BAY

REEF IFORMATIO The coral reef complex of Sodwana Bay is positioned 27 degrees 33’ 28” S and 32 degrees 41’ 10” E, making this reef system one of the most southern in the world. The majority of these reefs are named according to their distance from the Jesser Point launch site. Water Temperatures The average water temperature is 23 degrees C with the maximum being 28 degrees C between March and April. The minimum is 20 degrees C between August and September. Raggie Reef This is Sodwana’s closest and shallowest reef. It has an average depth of 9, a maximum of 13 m and lies a quarter of a mile from the launch site. In summer the female Ragged-tooth sharks congregate here in their hoards to gestate, and this offers divers an exciting diving experience. Stringer Between Quarter mile and 2 Mile reef lies the small but captivating Stringer reef. It consists of 2 rocky outcrops close together at a depth of 12 – 14 m. You are likely to come across a variety of large and small critters such as Frogfish, Anemone fish, Ghost Pipe fish, rays, eels and turtles. Not only do large game fish frequent this area, but it also acts as a nursery for juvenile fish. This is a truly world class dive on days when a strong current is not present.

2 Mile This is the largest reef in Sodwana, being over 1.8 km long and 900 m wide. The average depth is 12 m, the shallowest being 8 m and deepest 18 m. 2 Mile often has the best visibility since it is the shallowest of Sodwana’s 5 major reefs. It has amazing topography that consists of gullies, overhangs and swim-throughs. Dives can take place from one site to another.

orthern 2 Mile Wayne’s World – A slightly deeper dive on 2 Mile at 16 m. It is relatively flat in comparison to the other sites on this section of the reef. A large variety of soft coral can be found. There is amazing colour on this dive. Pinnacles – Just south of the actual pinnacles lies a sand patch with a fixed buoy line at 12 m of depth. There is a small cave on the western side of the sand patch that sometimes houses White Tip Reef sharks. Up to three have been seen in the cave together. 4 Buoy – Large gullies are found from Pinnacles leading to 4 Buoy were they open up into a sand patch. All around this sand patch you will find groups of fish hiding under overhangs and in swim-throughs. Honeycomb Morey Eels are commonly found around the 4 Buoy area where they find security in the many small caves. Cat Reef – This reef is similar to that of Wayne’s World but is slightly deeper at 18 m. Game fish are commonly seen coming through from the seaward side. The diversity of hard and soft corals provide shelter for small fish like Chocolate Dips, Goldies and Juvenile Butterfly fish to name just a few. Central 2 Mile Coral Gardens – Coral Gardens is known for the variety of hard and soft coral that carpets the reef. It is rather flat with a maximum depth of 12 m. Brightly coloured nudibranchs are plentiful and sighted rather easily by observant divers. Arches – This site consists of sand patches with boulders that form arches in a variety of shapes and sizes. One arch in particular is large and quite spectacular. The maximum depth on this dive is 13 m on the sand. Deep Sponge – Deep Sponge lies parallel with 2 Mile but 500 m further out to sea. The depth ranges from 20 - 35 m. A lovely deep dive, offering divers massive vase shaped sponges and interesting marine life. Game fish are common over and around this area. A good option when a strong surge is present on 2 Mile, however, only open to more advanced divers. Southern 2 Mile Caves & Overhangs – Caves and Overhangs offers incredible coral formations consisting mostly of Plate and Stag Horn Corals, which together with the rocky substrate form numerous small caves. The fish life is abundant making this site a very colourful dive. Chain – This reef attributes its name to a ships anchor chain that lies across it. This chain has become part of the reef and is now difficult to spot. This reef has a vast number of Carpet Anemones as well as the elusive Razor Wrasse around its edges. Zambi Alley – Zambi Alley is a sand channel that separates Antons from Chain. This channel owes its name to spear fishermen who observed Zambezi sharks there in the past. It has a maximum depth of 16 m.

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Antons – This is a very well built up reef that is popular with divers. There is a larger amount of coral life on the out-to-sea side. This is where you will find great numbers of schooling fish and bait balls of many species. Turtles are commonly seen around the whole southern region of 2 Mile. The maximum depth is that of 16 m. 5 Mile This reef lies at a depth of 18 - 22 metres. If it is coral life that you want to see then 5 Mile is for you. This reef has the most diverse coral communities at Sodwana making it the most fragile dived site. The extensive beds of Stag Horn, Mushroom and Plate corals are staggering as are the tiny colourful creatures living in them. Leopard sharks, White Tipped and Black Tipped Reef sharks are occasionally seen. The flat bed of coral is dotted with a few craters and potholes. One pothole in particular contains a variety of interesting marine life. Ribbon Ribbon lies a few hundred metres from the shore beside 5 Mile reef with a depth of 20 m. It consists of 2 small reef systems similar to that of Stringer reef. This reef attributes its name to the uncommon Ribbon eel found around its edges. Devil-fire fish are sighted regularly, especially on its northern point. Diverse, large groups of fish are found in abundance and because of this, as well as the geography of the reef, large predator fish make appearances such as Barracuda, King fish and a variety of sharks. A very interesting dive offering great opportunities for photographers. 7 Mile This is the most popular of the further reefs and lies at 24 m at the bottom and 15 m on the top. Most dives will be lead at a depth no deeper than 20 m to ensure a longer bottom time. What makes this reef so popular is its ability to produce the biggest variety of fish species including Black Tipped Reef sharks, schools of pelagic fish, huge Moray eels and plenty of turtles. With the amount of fish species, spectacular drop offs and coral formations, abundant soft coral life and the chance to sight some incredibly large fish make 7 Mile reef listed on the worlds top dive sites. Ramsey This pristine reef is named after Dr. Ramsey who conducted research regarding coral growth on the Maputuland reef complex. Diving on this reef has only recently been re-opened and not many people know of its whereabouts. It sits at a depth of 20 m, relatively close to the shoreline. Large rays , Devil-fire fish, an array of Nudibranchs, spectacular coral formations and Morey Eels make this a fantastic dive when the conditions are good. Another reef that offers great photographic opportunities.

9 Mile This reef is the furthest limit in the Sodwana reef complex being 14 km north from Jesser Point and lies 500 m offshore. The boat ride to the reef takes between 20 and 40 minutes and for this reason is not always accessible due to weather conditions, making the boat ride uncomfortable. The highlight of 9 Mile is the huge Green Tree coral that is surrounded by hundreds of Goldies, a spectacle for any diver. The “Green Tree” stands about two and a half metres high and is situated on an outcrop of rock. Just south of the Green Tree coral is a spectacular system of swim throughs, overhangs and caves. The reef in this area drops off on the seaward side from about 14 - 21 m. From the drop off there is a gradual slope to “Breaking Waters” which is at a depth of around 6 m. Hotspot Here the flat reef at 25 m drops off shear to 30 m, making a spectacular ledge to dive on. The diver’s chance of seeing big game fish is increased, as these fish prefer to patrol along a ledge such as this in search of prey. Not a well-known dive site but popular among anglers who know the sights well.

Thonga Beach Lodge

Bedrooms The spacious, thatched suites are hidden in the coastal dune forest and raised on wooden stilts to ensure no harm comes to the sensitive dune soils. Inspired by Thonga architecture, the rooms have been carefully positioned to guarantee guest privacy. Some rooms offer sea views (see rates), whilst others are set within the dune forest. All have private balconies. Luxuriously decorated, the rooms exude a romantic ambiance. Bleached wood, glass and natural materials have been wisely used to create an open, airy feel. The en-suite rooms have a bathroom with bath, shower and twin vanity. Every suite has air conditioning. Mabibi lies adjacent to Africa’s southern-most coral reefs making it the only tropical dive site in South Africa. In global terms, Mabibi offers some of the best diving in the world, but it has gone largely unnoticed because of its remoteness. Even in South Africa it has remained secluded and so divers are guaranteed an exciting underwater experience.

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More than 1,200 species of fish are found on the reefs off Mabibi, including Moorish idols, parrot fish, blue surgeons and marble and manta rays. The warm Indian Ocean waters also attract huge schools of bottlenose dolphin as well as sharks, whale sharks and turtles. Thonga Beach Lodge, which is part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, falls within a protected marine reserve. Because of its protected status, the reefs boast shoals of fish that don’t panic when divers approach and are ideal subjects for photographers. The reefs offer a diversity of underwater seascapes including amazing flora, branching, table and plate corals, beautiful overhangs, drop-offs and mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Conditions are good throughout the year and on a brilliant day visibility can reach up to 40m. The weather is typically subtropical so the water temperature is usually above 20C and in summer can reach 29C. Thonga Beach Lodge has the exclusive right to launch a boat from its private beach – a mere 75m from the lodge. Scuba Diving Courses Thonga Beach Lodge gives guests the opportunity to discover the incredible world beneath the waves. The lodge has a resident Instructor and offers a range of comprehensive scuba diving courses. Considered to be the premier dive site in South Africa, Mabibi is the perfect place for beginner divers. The shallow reefs, some at only 8m, are a gentle introduction to this sport. For the more advanced diver, the deeper reefs (up to 120m) provide an aquatic thrill of a lifetime. Apart from the wonderful scuba diving opportunities, there are also popular snorkeling sites at Mabibi. The lodge’s highly qualified Instructor will accompany guests on all dives and closely supervise at all times,

Rocktail Beach Camp +

Rocktail Beach Camp is located about 30 minutes drive from Rocktail Bay Lodge and is situated at the current Rocktail Dive Centre. The camp is set back in and shaded by the sanctuary of the lush coastal forest that covers the ancient dunes that make up the edge of South Africa's north-east coast. Accommodation 12 rooms consisting of: 5 twin-bedded rooms 4 double-bedded rooms 3 family units consisting of 1 double bed in 1 room and 2 x ¾ beds in the 2nd room. Each family unit accommodates maximum 2 adults and 2 children and the family shares a bathroom. This camp accommodates 30 guests including children. Room description En-suite bathrooms with an open feel indoor shower Fans The following amenities are provided: bath towels, hand towels, pool towels, torch, laundry bag, mosquito coil, insect repellent and bird list as well as soap, shampoo and insect repellent Safe in room Access by road The camp is easily accessible by normal sedan vehicle. Visitors in non-4X4 vehicles will be collected at a safe pick-up point for the final transfer into camp. Scheduled transfers can be arranged at 10:00, 14:00 and 16:00.

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Included in the DBB rate: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Snorkelling at Lala Nek Trips to Lake Sibaya Guided trail (beach and forest) Activities at additional cost to all guests Scuba diving (Must bring dive cards and/or log books. No card - No dive) PADI scuba diving courses (A range of courses offered from beginners to more advanced) Excursions to Black Rock (60-foot fossilised sand dune with spectacular views) Horse riding Sangoma (traditional herbalist) cultural visits Zulu dancing Quad-biking Stargazing

Activities included for all guests

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The beach Forest trails Bird watching - coastal forest and grasslands Surf/rock fishing (no tackle provided) Swimming (at own risk as there are no life guards)

Activities at additional cost to all guests

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Scuba diving (Scuba divers must bring dive cards and/or log books. No card – No dive) PADI scuba diving courses. A range of courses are offered from beginners to more advanced. Please see course information sheet. Excursions to Black Rock (please note that Black Rock is about 1 hour 30 minutes drive from the camp each way). Gugulesizwe Activities (Gugulesizwe is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the community and these activities can only be priced, booked and paid for at the camp):

The following activities are prohibited in the reserve: surfing, boardsailing, the launching of any type of boat, lighting of fires, driving of vehicles on the beach Activity times are flexible and depend largely on the tides and weather. Times for walks are arranged at the camp on request.

Rocktail Bay Lodge +

Location Located in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Midway between Kosi Bay to the north and Sodwana Bay to the south.

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Accommodation 11 tree-house chalets consisting of: 7 twin-bedded rooms 3 double-bedded rooms 1 family unit consisting of 2 x ¾ beds in 1 room and 2 single beds in the 2nd room accommodating four guests. This camp can accommodate 24 guests. Chalet details: En-suite bathrooms as well as outdoor showers. Fans The following is provided: bath towels, hand towels, torch, laundry bag and list, mosquito coil, insect repellent and bird list. Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room. Safe in each chalet. Pricing / Child policy One pricing year round. Children of all ages welcome. Access by road The camp is easily accessible by normal sedan vehicle. Visitors in non-4X4 vehicles will be collected at a safe pick-up point for the final transfer into camp. Scheduled transfers can be arranged at 10:00, 14:00 and 16:00. By Air To/from Nelspruit 1 hour To/from Durban 1 hr 26 minutes To/from Johannesburg 1hr 50 minutes To/from Skukuza 1hr 10 minutes To/from Sabi Sands 1hr 10 minutes

Activities can be enjoyed with a guide or independently. A fully accredited dive centre, as well as experienced camp guides, ensures that, whether it be scuba diving or snorkelling, cultural excursions or forest walks, outings are informative, educational and fun. The dive operation is unrivalled in South Africa for its exclusive access to pristine reefs hosting a wide array of marine biodiversity. Snorkelling can produce sightings as spectacular as the diving outings. Both snorkelling and diving in the warm ocean are excellent all year round with different seasons bringing a variety of wonders: in summer the whalesharks and pregnant ragged-toothed sharks; in winter the humpback whales. Guided activities on offer are:

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Scuba diving on 15 exclusive access reefs. Snorkelling outings to productive Lala Nek. Outings to the geological and scenically spectacular Black Rock. Outings to Gugulesizwe Cultural Village for quad-biking, horse riding, stargazing, Zulu dancing and sangoma visits (some at additional cost). Forest walks for birding, botanising and small mammal spotting, including guided trails through the forest. Catch-and-release saltwater fly fishing. Swimming (there are no lifeguards however) and lazing on the 40km beach.

Turtle Research Drives: Guests at Rocktail Bay Lodge can join a resident expert on a “turtle drive” at low tide. Between mid-October and mid-March female leatherback and loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of their birth. From January to the end of March, the hatchlings can be seen on the drives.

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Coral Divers Lodge

En-Suite Huts Accommodation for the discerning diver. These beautiful new huts are substantially larger, with double or single beds, mosquito nets, shelves for your clothes and a beautiful open-air bathroom Safari Tents Each tent is equipped with two mattresses, and an electric light. The tents all have permanent roofs, not only for protection from the rain, but also from the sun. These will be your most cost effective option. (with optional private bathroom) Standard Huts These huts are supplied with linen and you have the option of your own bathrooms with toilets and open air hot water showers KZ Wildlife Ablutions These bathrooms offer toilets, hot water showers, and even bathtubs in the ladies (bring your own plugs). They are cleaned daily by the KZN wildlife staff.

Sodwana is accessible by car, but a 4x4 is recommended for driving around the surrounding areas (Bazbus pickups from Hluhluwe can be arranged). Petrol & diesel are available from the petrol station in the National Park, and there is a small supermarket which can provide you with essentials such as food drink and sun block. Activities: • • • • • • •

Gear hire Dive charters Sea paddling (free of charge) Body boarding and body surfing (free of charge) Deep sea game fishing Guided walks Turtle tracking

Mseni Lodge (Sodwana Bay)

The lodge is located just 10 mins from the main gate and has miles of unspoiled beach on one side and pure african bush on the other. Cabins are hidden away in lush dune forest, private and secluded; and are designed to offer you a choice of self catering or bed and breakfast options for your next holiday. We have 15 cabins with the option of 1,2 or 4 bedrooms. All cabins have a Master bedroom

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with double or twin beds, Smaller bedroom with single bed, En suite bathroom with shower, bath and toilet, Safety Deposit boxes, Variable speed fans & are Serviced daily. Meals are catered for by the Restaurant and Pub. The restaurant is open for breakfast from 07h00 till 11h00, serves pub lunches available throughout the day and an A la Carte menu for dinner from 19h00 till 21h45. There is a Kiddies menu available from 17h00 for our smaller guests.

Sodwana Bay Lodge (Sodwana Bay)

21 twin-bed, reed and thatch chalets. All chalets have en-suite shower and toilet, ceiling fan and mosquito nets; are serviced daily, and include complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. The chalets are situated right in the heart of the Lodge's diving and fishing centres and are adjacent to the volleyball court, Leatherback restaurant, swimming pool and bar. Further accommodation is available in our 22 self-catering time share cottages - 6 or 8 sleeper.

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Scuba diving and snorkeling in Mozambique Exellent diving conditions in the following regions: • • • • • •

Bazaruto Archipelago Inhaca Island Pemba Ponta do Ouro Quirimba Archipelago Xai Xai

ILHA IHACA (Inhaca Island)

Diving is a weather and current dependant activity. It is safe to say that divers have a 50% chance of being able to dive.

Hotel Reef • •

Average depth: 6m Maximum depth: 11 m

This reef is a 5-minute boat ride from Inhaca Lodge and is often used for beginners and resort training courses. It is reasonably flat and the rocks are covered in marine growth while thesand patches in-between provide ample hiding spots for small tropical fish. Lobsters and moray eels are easily spotted, but you will have to look a lot harder to find the sea horses. The reef has more hard coral than soft and is home to various sea stars and big-shelled slugs. The best time to dive this particular reef is between the tides.

Coral Gardens Reef • •

Average depth: 7m Maximum depth: 15 m

Coral Gardens lies approximately 10 minutes from Inhaca Lodge and like the Hotel Reef, it’s a beginner’s favorite. The reef itself is a fairly easy and relaxed wall dive that is almost 400 m long. It is covered with colourful soft and hard corals and plays host to many tropical reef fish. During a dive, you will spot surgeonfish, damselfish, triggers, goldies, puffers, banner fish and the ever-playful parrotfish, Octopuses and lobsters can be found hiding in crevices along the wall and green turtles are often seen gliding through the waters.

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Banco de China • •

Average depth: 15m Maximum depth: 20 m

After a 15-minute boat ride from Inhaca Lodge, you will come across this reef that is strictly reserved for advanced divers. The currents are fairly strong and unpredictable and experience is required. The reef consists of big rocks and a sandy bottom with many caves and overhangs which means the chance of coming across cleaning stations is a fair possibility. It offers stunning game fish viewing and an incredible variety of species like painted frogfish, brindle bass, green turtles, surgeonfish, barracudas, ribbontail rays and many other tropical reef fish. ‘China’ is the local name for spade fish and for two months every year, the reef is filled with thousands of them. The best time to dive this site is during high tide.

Santa Maria Reef • •

Average depth: 14m Maximum depth: 22 m

This reef is approximately 35 minutes from Inhaca Lodge and is reserved for advanced an experienced divers. A strong current is present at some spots along the reef but subsides as you move further along. The reef consists of a wall with big rocks covered in hard corals and a sandy bottom sloping down beyond 20 m. Schools of reef fish, turles, eagle rays and sand sharks have all been spotted in the area and immaculate corals play home to moonies and kingfish. The reef should be dived at high tide or neap tide.

Biaxo Danae • •

Average depth: 16m Maximum depth: 20 m

This reef lies about 50 minutes from Inhaca Lodge. As it is far out to sea and a double tank dive, it is reserved for more experienced divers. Biaxo Danae is the name for the area and it has selection of dive sites. The distance from shore means that the sites are rarely dived and have remained wild and untouched. It provides spectacular dives and there are many overhangs, swim throughs, caves and gullies to explore. There are also two sunken ships called ‘Boiler’ and the ‘Wreck’. Very little is known about them and that makes the sites even more interesting to explore. The chance of seeing manta rays is very good and sharks, dolphins and turtles frequent the waters. There are mainly hard coral species that can withstand the currents and they provide shelter to many tropical fish. From August to October the waters are full of migrating whales and the odd orca has been spotted in the area, definitely a place worth diving.

Cockburn Shoal (Lighthouse) • •

Average depth: 14m Maximum depth: 16 m

To reach this reef you will need to take a 40-minute boat ride. Strong currents mean that this is another site only for advanced and experienced divers. The reef was formed in 1965 when a lighthouse sank during bad weather. This reef provides an excellent dive with large schools of fish swimming around and a huge resident brindle bass that won’t let you out of his sight. There are usually plenty of kingfish, barracuda, surgeonfish, fusiliers, snappers and banner fish colouring the stunning blue water. Shark Diving Shark diving at Inhaca is not very common. There are sharks, however sightings is no guaranteed. Restriction on ages No persons under the age of 12 years. Children 12 to 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

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ILHA BAZARUTO(Bazaruto Island) & BEGUERRA

Diving is a weather and current dependant activity. It is safe to say that divers have a 50% chance of being able to dive. Indigo Bay Lodge has a fully equipped PADI dive centre catering for experienced divers and beginners – for whom they have a special scuba training pool. Bazaruto Lodge has a diving operation.

Marlin Lodge has a fully equipped dive centre. It caters for experienced divers and also offers ‘learn to dive’ packages for people wishing to get into diving for the first time. Benguerra Lodge has a fully equipped dive school with dive master. Benguerra is a paradise for both experienced and novice snorkellers and scuba divers. To encourage visitors to enjoy the pristine reefs, a fully equipped dive centre with dive master has been set up. There are numerous dive venues available, including the superb TwoMile Reef. The most striking aspects of scuba diving the reefs around the island is the sheer unspoiled beauty combined with the variety and abundance of marine life. Many exotic reef fish abound such as schooling banner fish, moorish idols, butterfly fish, blue striped snappers, barred sweetlips, goldies, trigger fish and hosts of others. After snorkelling the reef, go to the deserted Pansy Island, a unique breeding ground for the legendary pansy shell. Azura Lodge Azura Lodge has a 5-star PADI dive centre with top of the range scubapro equipment. The training pools is perfect for refreshing diving skills to try out snorkeling and diving before heading off to the reefs.

Manta Reef • •

Average depth: 12m Maximum depth: 18 m

This is a flat coral reef with a drop starting at 12 metres and ending at 18 metres. The reef is large – around 1 km and it takes 2 dives to complete the whole reef. Brindle bass, green turtles, job fish, neon fusiliers and big schools of reef fish are common and in the summer months sightings of mantas very commong.

Turtle Ridge •

Maximum depth: 14 m

This is a very easy dive with a weak of current and a flat coral reef. There are good sightings of green turtles and big schools of reef fish, amongst these are parrot fish and snappers. This dive is excellent for beginners and photographers.

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The Potholes •

Maximum depth 12 m

This is an advanced dive. A flat reef at 5 metres and then a set of 4 potholes in a line along the reef are each 35 m in diameter. The dive is very scenic with lots of caves and overhangs in the potholes. Good area to find reef sharks and nurse sharks. This dive can only be done at low tide.

Rainbow Runner •

Maximum depth 27 m

This is an advanced dive. The currents are strong and you need to get onto the reef very fast. You will see big schools pelagic fish, as well as barracuda, kingfish, tuna, eagle rays and stingrays. The possibility of sighting Zambezi sharks and reef sharks is good. The reeef is flat with boulders in-between and plenty of green tree coral.

Brindle Bass Ridge •

Maximum depth 17 m

Strong current and best time to dive is on the turn of the high tide. The dive is very scenic with lots of caves and overhangs, and ends at 8 m. Experience from having completed 20 dives or an advanced qualification is needed to do this dive. There are good sightings of big schools of kingfish and eagle rays, and plenty of brindle bass and thistle soft coral.

Greek Temple •

Maximum depth 18 m

Relaxed scenic dive with caves, overhangs and the current is not strong – further off the island. Greek Temple is excellent for beginners and photographers. The whole area looks like a broken temple and it is possible to see turles and electric rays. It is best to dive during low tide.

2 Mile Reef •

Maximum depth 24 m

This is located on the southern tip of the island. It is an hour’s boat ride to the reef and as the reef is really big, you will need 2 dives to cover the whole area. The reef starts flat and then builds up into boulders and overhangs towards the end. It is a good area for sharks and big schools of reef fish. Turtles are very common here.

Zenguerema Point •

Maximum depth 21 m

Visibility is not the best here but it is a good place for photographers. This reef is located on the western side of the island and is always protected from bad weather. This offers an alternative to dive when weather conditions on the eastern side prohibit diving. It is common to see schools of reef fish, scorpion and stone fish.

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12 Mile Reef (Double tank dive) •

Maximum depth 40 m

This reef is 18.9 km north of the island. This reef is 4 km long and starts at 24 m, then goes down to 40 m. This is suitable for experienced divers and an advanced qualification is needed. The dive is possible at spring tides, and low tide. The reef is flat on top and drops to 40 m, with big caves and overhangs all the way down. It is a good area for big game fish and sharks, as well as possible sightings of oceanic white tip sharks and silvertip sharks. The current is strong, therefore only drift diving and a minimum of 4 pax for this dive site. Restriction on ages No persons under the age of 12 years. Children 12 to 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Shark diving At Bazaruto there are 2 reefs were there is a good chance of seeing Zambezi sharks (bull sharks) and black tail reef sharks, however there is no guarantee. Snorkelling Snorkelling is usually good all year round, except when it is raining. There are 2 good snorkelling sites on the northern side of the island, namely Coral Gardens and then Lighthouse Bay – these can be accessed from the beach. While diving at 2 Mile Reef at the south point of the island near Pansy Island, guests can do snorkelling at 2 Mile Reef. Lighthouse Bay is approximately a 20 minute walk down the beach, average of 1.4 km.

IHAMBAE

Barra Resorts (Flamingo Bay Lodge, Pomene Lodge and Barra Lodge welcomes you to some of the finest Diving worldwide. Diving the Manta Coast of Mozambique is an experience not to be forgotten. Unspoilt reefs, Dolphins resident Manta Rays and resident Whalesharks Seahorses in our secluded lagoon.

Safe beach launches. Day excursions on our luxurious 35ft catamaran. All this and much more in an unspoilt tropical setting. Barra offers Padi Gold Palm status with unsurpassed professional service excellence. Surf our site for further information and subscribe to receive our regular newsletter of happenings, sightings and events at this exciting internationally recognised destination.

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PEMBA Pemba Beach Resort The northern Mozambican coastline around Pemba boasts an astounding diversity of marine species, with Moray Eels, Stingrays, Barracuda, Kingfish and other pelagic gamefish to be seen whilst diving here in Quirimba tropical waters that hover between 26 and 30 degrees. Dolphins are frequently encountered, and Leatherback, Loggerhead and Green turtles are often seen in the water, whilst humpback whales can be sighted offshore between August and October. Suitable for novice or experienced divers. Diving courses are available such as Discover Scuba, Open Water and Advanced Open Water, all under supervision of experienced diving instructor. PADI Instructors and Dive Masters are used as this is a minimum standard and do not conduct technical or deep-water dives that warrant a chamber. The lodge is using a 24-foot wooden Estaleiro Naval for our dive excursions, which are powered by two 60hp Yamaha outboards for quick and comfortable travel, and which have a bikini-top for shade during travel. At least 11 dive sites are accessible from Pemba, six of which are situated no more than a 20minute boat ride away.

One of the closest and most spectacular sites is the Gap, located where the continental shelf is 600 metres from the Mozambique shore providing a drop-off of 80-120 metres - a prolific feeding ground for big game fish. Pyro Banks, where huge selections of Coral razor fish can be found, the Playground, a shallow wall dive with overhangs and caves packed with Crayfish, Zebra lionfish, Firefish and Scorpionfish, Willys Reef, Beach Reef, and Ponta Saide with its "valley of a thousand anemones", are all easily accessible from the hotel. Londo Lodge Snorkel or dive under supervision of PADI instructors.

POTO DU OURO Ponta Mamoli Lodge has a PADI Gold Parlm Resort Diving facility with courses from beginner to specialty programs.

VILACULOS AREA

Most of the lodges around Vilanculos also offer diving. Vilanculos Beach Lodge and Casa Rex arrange diving through an independent diving operation, whilst Dugong Beach Lodge has an in-house dive centre.

QUIRIMBAS ARCHIPELAGO (Quirimbas Islands/ational Park)

Consisting of over fifty coral islands, the Quirimbas Archipelago in northern Mozambique has recently been granted protection status in the form of the Quirimbas National Park. The 7,500 km² park has some of the richest coral reefs on the continent and provides a habitat for a rich and abundant marine life.

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Guludo Beach Lodge Opposite Guludo's calm bay is the Quirimbas Archipelago's fringing reef with breath-taking coral diversity as well as copious schools of game fish, turtles, sharks and, at the right time of year, humpback whales. With vast diving diversity Guludo offers a range of diving from sheltered tranquil coral gardens to drop-offs with strong currents. Guludo is a registered PADI resort with top of the range equipment and experienced instructors at hand to either give you a gentle introduction to diving or develop your existing skills. PADI Discover Scuba Diving An introductory dive course, including basic training and a shallow dive in the stunning reefs off Rolas Island. An opportunity to test out diving, in a tropical environment, with no commitment. (1 day) PADI Open Water Diver The PADI Open Water Diver course will certify you as a PADI diver, enabling you to dive anywhere in the world. The course includes shallow water training sessions, academic modules and 4 open water dives on some of the richest coral reefs in East Africa. There truly isn't any better place to learn! (4 to 5 days) PADI Advanced Open Water This course is designed to improve dive skills to make divers feel more comfortable and knowledgeable in the water. The course consists of 5 open water training dives. (3 days) Quilalea Island has its own fully equipped for PADI scuba diving (beginners and advanced divers). To protect the marine sanctuary, the island does not offer motorised watersports such as water skiing or jet bikes. There are 375 different species of fish within the sanctuary and some of the best diving in the whole archipelago is found a mere twenty metres offshore on the house reef. Dugongs graze in sea-grass meadows, fish eagles perch in tall mangroves, turtles nest on white beaches, and humpback whales shelter their young in Quilalea's deep channel. Vamizi Island Lodge Scuba diving and snorkeling in the pristine coral reefs under expert guidance.

Medjumbe Private Island offers some of the finest diving in the world with untouched coral reefs and an astounding diversity of marine species. A dazzling array of fish, from Moray Eels and Stingrays to Barracuda, Kingfish and other pelagic gamefish can be seen whilst diving here in tropical waters that seldom drop below 26°C. Dolphins are frequently encountered here whilst Humpback Whales can be sighted between August and October. Leatherback, Loggerhead and Green Turtles are often seen in the water, coming ashore to lay their eggs on the sandy island beaches - sometimes right in front of your beach chalet rooms. Whether you are a novice or accomplished diver, we will help you experience the magic of scuba diving in the tropical waters of Mozambique.

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The lodge offers a range of diving courses, such as Discover Scuba, Open Water and Advanced Open Water and our experienced diving instructor co-ordinates the diving courses and plans every diving trip, taking care of all the details. PADI Instructors and Dive Masters are used as a minimum standard and do not conduct technical or deep-water dives that warrant a chamber. There are 12 known dive sites offering a range of diving experiences that are simply breathtaking, taking in fringing reefs, coral banks and vertical and sloping reef walls. On shallower dives (8-15 metres) you are likely to see resident reef fish such as Sweetlips, Pufferfish, Angelfish and Triggerfish. Anemones filter the waters with the resident clown fish often in sight. You may also see turtles making their way out to deeper waters. On deeper wall dives (up to 40 metres) such as Sambi Sambi, the Edge of Reason or Cliffs of Insanity, you will encounter species such as Napolean Wrasse, Groupers, Black-and White-Tip Reef Sharks, Snappers and Unicorn Fish. Here you can experience the feeling of flight as the wall gives way to deep blue waters beyond. As Medjumbe's waters are so little explored, there are always new diving sites to discover (often named after the guests who discover them). Metemo Island The unspoilt coral reefs and outcrops surrounding Matemo Island are one of Mozambique's best-kept secrets. Flanked by the northern Mozambique coastline to the west and the Mozambique channel to the east, these protected waters boast an astounding diversity of marine species, all within close proximity of your launching point. Moray eels, stingrays, barracuda, kingfish and other pelagic gamefish can be seen whilst diving here in Quirimba tropical waters that seldom drop below 26c. Dolphins are frequently encountered whilst humpback whales can be sighted between August and October. Leatherback, loggerhead and green turtles are often seen in the water, coming ashore to lay their eggs on the sandy island beaches. Whether you are a novice or experienced diver, we will help you experience the magic of scuba diving. The lodge offers a range of diving courses, such as Discover Scuba, Open Water and Advanced Open Water. Our experienced diving instructor coordinates the diving courses and plans every diving trip, taking care of all the details. PADI Instructors and Dive Masters are used as a minimum standard and do not conduct technical or deep-water dives that warrant a chamber. Matemo's 7 major dive sites offer a range of diving environments that are simply breathtaking, taking in coral "bommies", reef banks, soft sponges, plate and lettuce corals. For more experienced divers there is the challenge of a 40 metre wall dive, with frequent sightings of pelagic gamefish, as well as a fascinating 90-foot-long wreck dive that needs to be experienced in calm conditions. One of our most popular sites for its sheer diversity is Rush Hour (16-30 metres), named after the schools of barracuda, kingfish, blue banded snapper and fusiliers that frequent this reef bank. Here you are likely to encounter spotted and honeycomb Morays hiding in coral shelters as well as ribbon eels and blue spotted stingrays. On shallower coral "bommie" dives, such as Rolas Rainbow (8-10 metres), you are likely to see resident reef fish such as sweetlips, pufferfish, angelfish and triggerfish, with their rainbow colours allowing for fantastic photographic opportunities.

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