On your southern African safari, you will discover that this part of the world is a natural masterpiece both above and below the waters, offering some of the best places to dive in the world.
Diving off the East Coast of Southern Africa
The east coast is a tropical paradise, with balmy days and warm water for Indian Ocean indulgences.
Mozambique Diving
Mozambique will enfold you in a thrilling embrace of vibrantly hued coral reefs teeming with sought after species, regardless of your level of expertise. The many different kinds of reef fish found here include:
- Moorish idols
- Butterfly fish
- Blue striped snappers
- Barred sweetlips
- Goldies, and
- Trigger fish
Barracuda, manta rays, moray eels, sharks, kingfish and giant lobsters abound, while dolphins, leatherback, loggerhead and green turtles are often encountered on the ocean’s surface and below.
Mozambique’s best dive sites include:
- Bazaruto
- Pemba
- Pomene
- Quirimbas Archipelago
- Vilanculos Tofo
- Barra
- Inhaca Island and
- Ponto do Ouro
Most of these offer great visibility and are serviced by first-class dive lodges.
South Africa Diving
In South Africa, you can plunge into some of the world’s best-known dive sites. Sodwana Bay provides a wide choice of dive schools and luxury accommodations, and is home to almost as many species of fish as the Great Barrier Reef. You may also see nesting sea turtles, whale sharks and raggies from December to February every year, or humpback whales from June to October.
Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, are outstanding locations for experienced divers. Feel the thrill of diving with the big boys - ragged tooth, tiger, hammerhead, oceanic black-tip, and Zambezi sharks here.
Diving off the West Coast of Southern Africa
The West Coast waters of the Atlantic Ocean may be a little cooler, but the diving is still sensational, with several shipwrecks and kelp forests to explore along this turbulent coast.
Head to False Bay to mingle with great white sharks, fur seals, broadnose sevengill sharks, pajama sharks and brown shysharks, take a dip with the whales of Hermanus Bay, meet the penguins at Simonstown’s Boulders Beach, or head to Gansbaai or Dyer Island for close-up cage-diving experiences with great white sharks.
If you can’t get to the coast, inland dive sites at Wondergat in the North West province, Komati Springs in Mpumalanga province or Arnhem, Gaub and Dragon’s Breath caves in Namibia will fulfil your underwater cravings.
Southern Africa has many unique offerings! Get in touch to find out how you can combine a safari with diving and other activities.
