Mozambique Scuba Diving

Scuba diving caters to all levels manta ray cleaning stations and giant whale sharks being the order of the day, everyday. The tropical cyclone months of February do not affect Inhambane which as a matter of fact plays host to some extra whale sharks during that time and a key role in Mozambique's dive scene. Water temperatures range from 22°C -to 31°C depending on the season and visibility vacillates between 5 and 35 meters.

Diving Locations Within Mozambique

Vilanculo, usually affected during tropical cyclone time, is known for being a gateway to the popular . Up north in Cabo Delgabo is Pemba , from where divers can best access the Quirimbas Archipalego. These islands were formed as a result of sand deposits from the great Limpopo River over thousands of years of which Santa Carolina is the smallest.

Both Vilanculos and the Bazaruto Archipelago are well known for their whale shark populations with Manta Reef being a popular dive site. Bazaruto Island also plays host to Tandy's Reef, Vengie's and The Greek Temple with its spires and pinnacles that rise from the depths and is known for its game fish such as marlin and kingfish.

South of Bazaruto Island is its largest division in the archipelago, Benguerra doused with traditional fishing tribes, coconut palms and cashew nut trees and the famous Two Mile Reef with its kaleidoscope of marine life from coral to large pelagics such as black tipped reef sharks and other game fish as well as fusiliers, coachmen, goldies and snapper. Many of its pristine reefs have yet to be explored.

Barra Reef's diving is reported to be better than the Red Sea and Australia with its lagoons and coral reefs arches and tunnels and blue spotted rays, crocodile fish, whales, sharks, Manatees, Murray eels, Lionfish, large potatobass, Barracuda and turtles. At the Washing Machine there are plenty of mantas and swim-throughs along the reef .

At the northernmost point is a wreck dive, the Yugoslav freighter sunk by a Japanese sub in the Second World War. Pemba and the Querimbas, on the other hand, are great for snorkeling, and reef exploration and the trill of coming across dolphin or whales.

Ponto do Ouro (Point of Gold) sports five dive sites where hammerheads, kingfish, barracuda, whale sharks and potato bass hang out in numbers. This is Mozambique's more commercial diving area with busy Doodles reef getting all the attention with plenty of game fish and Zambezi sharks, honeycomb rays and sand sharks doing the entertaining.

Other sites in Ponto do Ouro include Blacks with its Ghost Pipe Fish, nudibranchs, eels, plenty of lion fish/devil fire fish, Steve's Ledge; The Steps, highly recommended Checkersand Fingers reef with black cheek and honeycomb morays and lionfish.

Bass City, off the Madejanine Point is famous for the giant territorial potato bass. There are also plenty of emperor angelfish, lion fish, moray eels, black cheek eel and varying species of ray: Blue Spotted, Marble Electric and Ribbon Tail.

One could spend hours exploring Malongane's reefs, great spots include Kev's Ledge, Bread Loaf, Wayne's World and deep Mavericks for advanced divers. Texas dive site is great for coral studies with its Plate, Staghorn and table coral.