TROPICAL REEF DIVING: THE FACTS
SOUTH AFRICA
The world’s southern-most tropical coral reefs are found in South Africa. These reefs are even further south than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
 
SODWANA - in northern KwaZulu-Natal - is the tropical diving mecca of South Africa and is the only tropical dive site in South Africa. Sodwana is one of the few places worldwide where dive sites are reached by weaving a path through breaking waves. This thrilling experience adds to the excitement of the dive.

The average yearly visibility is 12m. It can get as good as 40m. The reason for this is that there are no rivers running into the sea in the area. The rivers pollute the sea sometimes suspending all diving in other areas, especially after heavy, prolonged rain. The diving is all year round. In summer the water temperature can reach 29^oC. The lowest it gets is 20^oC.

Here the coral does not form a continuous reef. Separate reefs go by names derived from their distance from the shore - such as One Mile, Two Mile, Seven Mile, etc. All are accessible by zodiac from Jesser Point.

Please Note: There is no liveaboard diving off the coast of South Africa due to the weather conditions, sea conditions and its rugged coastline. All diving is done from zodiacs (rubber ducks) with local dive masters leading the dives.
 

MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique has pristine corals and exquisite reef formations with an abundance of marine life. It has only recently re-opened to tourism after years of civil war.
> Mozambiqan reefs are inhabited by Indo-Atlantic species.
> Depth of reefs: varies from a few meters to 30 meters (100 feet) - with many reefs at no more than 18 meters
(60 feet)
> In southern Mozambique there are a number of destinations for diving - each with numerous diverse reefs:

• Ponta do Ouro
• Inhaca Island
• Xai Xai
• Guinjata Bay
• Barra
• Morrungulo

DIVE PLAN
All dives are boat dives and divers are taken to reefs in zodiacs (rubber ducks) that are launched directly from the beach and through the surf. The launches have been likened to white water rafting in wet suits. All dives are drift dives and are lead by local divemasters who know the reef intimately.
 

DIVE QUALIFICATIONS
The tropical reefs at Sodwana and those in Mozambique can be dived by all levels of diver.

WHEN TO DIVE
Tropical reef diving is done all year round. The reefs are situated off the warmer east coast beaches where the winters are mild and the water temperature does not drop below 21C (72F).

DIVERSIONS
> White, unspoilt tropical beaches
> Accommodation in thatched chalets on the beach.
> Explore Grootbos Nature Reserve on foot or  on horsebacK
> Local culture:
   African villages,
   Arab dhows,
   Portuguese colonial relics
> Prawns and other exotic seafoods.