The coral reefs in the Inhambane area are famous for sightings of Manta Rays and Whale Sharks, while at the opposite end of the scale the macro marine life is also abundant. In season you may also encounter Humpback Whales as they migrate south.

Diving & Snorkelling in the Inhambane Area

The scuba diving in this area of Mozambique is famous for its amazing sightings of Manta Rays and Whale Sharks but offers far, far more than just these. There are amazing varieties of coral in this Indian Ocean paradise supporting Harlequin Shrimps, Frogfish, Sea horses, Turtles, Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Eels, Rays, Barracuda, Kingfish, Paper fish, the list is endless.

The water temperature is lovely all year round from 29 degrees in the summer to 22 degrees in the winter and visibility can be up to 40 metres! Dropping to 9 metres when the plankton bloom.

Inhambane dive sites, Mozambique

Whether learning to dive, refreshing and improving your skills or finding a new challenge there is something for everyone.

Photographers love this area with several shallow reefs allowing lovely lighting conditions and Whale sharks and Mantas always make a stunning image!

Still relatively undiscovered the dive sites are not crowded and the dive operations in the area are responsible and careful with this wonderful and pristine area.

Barra / Tofo Reefs: Water Temperature: 22 – 29 ° C

1. Manta Reef

Level of dive: Advanced Depth: 21 - 30m

Famous for the Manta Rays it is named after this is a dive you will never forget, there are three cleaning stations which the Mantas circle around. Positioning yourself well and remaining still you can get these amazing creatures to float right over you, please be responsible do not reach out to touch!

The reef has a huge overhang where a Potato Bass is resident, while Red Fang Trigger Fish, Yellow Snappers, Bigeyes, Fusiliers and Trumpet fish are to be found all over the reef. Cleaner Wrasse of course are in abundance doing their job and occasionally a Devil Ray meanders in to see what is going on.

Often this is a negative entry dive.

2. Praia do Roche (Beach of rocks)

Level of dive: Open Water Depth: 5 - 18m

Soft and hard Corals are scattered among the pinnacles and boulders that cover this area, swim thru's and gullies make this a fun dive, along with the shallow depth is a great site for photographers and practicing skills.

Devil Firefish, Cleaner Shrimp, Crayfish and Morays hide among the nooks with Spanish Dancers, lobsters and Octopus. When there is a big swell there is too much surge to enjoy this site.

3. Giants Castle

Level of dive: Advanced Depth: 26 - 35m

An excellent drift dive along a 7 metre high wall, which starts at 27m. Another place to see Manta Rays, as well as a giant Potato Bass. Along the ledges and overhangs are Scorpion Fish, Lobster, Sturgeon, Sea Goldies and large Frog Fish. Some beautiful Green Tree Corals adorn the top. Above the reef keep a look out for Game fish circling such as Barracuda, Pickhandle and Kingfish also Devil Rays drift passed. As does the occasional Bowmouth Guitar Shark.

Another site that is often a negative entry due to strong and unpredictable current.

4. Krakatoa

Level of dive: Open Water Depth: 14 - 18m

Resembling a volcano crater you swim into the 'crater' to enjoy the life supported by the colourful hard and soft Corals all around you, 360 degree T.V. at its best. Eels, Lobster, Cuttle Fish, Octopus, shoals of reef fish and Nudibranch are among the channels available.

A good chance of snorkelling with the whale sharks on the way to this dive. (Spotted all year round but best sightings November to March).

5. Chamber of Secrets

Level of dive: Advanced Depth: 16 - 21m

Swim thru's, overhangs and caves are features of this horseshoe shaped reef, the centre is flat and sandy, ideal for Blue Spotted Rays, Blue Sting Rays and Whiptail Rays. Something is always around the corner or under a ledge, the swim thru's make great buoyancy practice, Morays, Scorpion Fish, Devil Firefish, lizard fish and Lion Fish will be among the audience as you circle this site and approach from a different direction.

Good chances of spotting Wale Sharks on the way to this dive, so keep the snorkel and mask nearby on the boat.

6. Amazon

Level of dive: Advanced Depth: 22 - 28m

A stunning reef which is home to Leopard Sharks, White Tip Sharks and Black Tip Sharks as well as a Loggerhead Turtle. Teeming with life you have to swim through the parting shoals of reef fish to explore the caves where the turtle and sharks like to linger. Overhead glide Rays and game fish.

Not dived in strong currents and better for the more experienced divers who have no difficulty with a rapid descent.

7. The Office

Level of dive: Advanced Depth: 19 - 30m

Rising up from approximately 90metres deep this rock pinnacle has a lot to offer, a Manta cleaning station means Manta Rays are regularly seen here, exploring the area will uncover overhangs and ledges with Morays, Turtles and Potato Bass, look carefully to spot sleeping sharks, White Tip and Black Tip. Butterfly fish and Moorish Idols swarm around and Game fish circle and dive in from the deep. A bustling site with everything going about its business, a good site to remember when you return to your own office.

Experience of open sea dives is needed here as there is a current and generally a negative entry.

8. Anchor Bay

Level of dive: Open Water Depth: 9 - 12m

This is a great reef for learning, getting back into the water or for a longer dive, Beautiful soft Coral and Sponges and some Plate Coral. The large anchor the site is named after sits towards the south end of the site. Emperor Angelfish, Young Lionfish, Butterfly and Clown fish. There are also Crocodile, Stone and Scorpionfish around and Titan Triggerfish, it also is one of the rare inshore sites that the Manta's visit.

Very little current or surge make this a pleasant and interesting dive for all levels of diver.

9. Salon

Level of Dive: Open Water Depth: 15 - 18m

A lovely site, very popular with photographers with lots of macro life. The reef is a long ridge with boulders scattered around, overhangs and caves contain Honeycomb, Black Cheek and Geometric Morays, firefish and paperfish. Cleaner shrimp are in abundance and give the site it name, while Trumpet fish happily swim right passed your mask . In the sand and among the boulders Octopus, Blue Spotted Rays and Ribbontail Rays hover.

10.Mikes Cupboard

Level of Dive: Open Water Depth: 14 - 17m

Beautiful Soft Coral covers this area of potholes, ledges and gullies, Flutefish, Trumpetfish, Crocodile fish, Lizardfish, leaf fish, are some of the wonders to be found around this site, a Loggerhead Turtle is also often in residence and Dolphins have been seen around this area too.

Always a relaxing dive which you can drift around and admire all the busy reef life that is so abundant here.

11. Sherwood Forest

Level of Dive: Advanced Depth 26 - 39m

A great big mushroom sized rock covered with Beautiful Green Tree Coral, that provides cover for lots of fish including large numbers of Goldies, combined with the other hard and soft Corals it makes a spectacular sight. Look around the edges for Honeycomb and Black cheek Moray's, Fire gobies, Coachmen, big Rockcod and Devil firefish. At the base are large Potato Bass and a resident Brindle Bass.

Negative entry and a quick descent are essential due to strong currents.

12. Buddies Reef

Level Of Dive: Discover Scuba Depth: 7 - 11m

A lovely shallow dive full of life, Paperfish, Wrasse, Angelfish, Dusky sweepers, Clownfish, Moorish Idols, Goldies and Butterfly fish among the many many species you will find here. An amazing mix of Corals, including Daisy, Fan and Finger Coral.

Great site for training and refresher dives as long as you concentrate on learning and not all the wonderful sights!

13. Barra Lagoon

Level of Dive: Advanced (excellent buoyancy control required) Depth: 3 - 5m

This is a unique Dive location towards the edge of the Mangrove swamps and the main reason to dive here are the Sea Horses, these can be found wrapped around the sea Fans, Pipefish and also there has been sightings of the extremely rare Dugong in this area. It is an amazing macro location and you can spend 90 minutes easily here and still have plenty to see. Because of the very delicate nature of the surroundings.

Only experienced divers with excellent buoyancy control can dive here as even small sand particles kicked up can blind the sea horses.

14. Simons Town

Level of Dive: Open Water Depth: 14 -18m

Several huge pillars loom up from the ocean floor supporting a great variety of life: Goldies, Wrasse, Snappers, Fusiliers, Bigeyes, while Game fish circle around. Gullies and holes each hide a surprise Nudibranks, Goatfish and Lizardfish among them.

Perfect site for getting back into the water or brushing up on your skills.

15. Lions Den

Level of Dive: Open water Depth: 9 - 11m

A gentle flat reef with lots of Plate Coral, small tropical fish and of course Lion Fish. Good site for learning and reacquainting yourself with diving.

16. Coloseum

Level of Dive: Advanced Depth: 21 - 30m

Shaped like a large amphitheatre with a 10 metre wall around the edge which drops down with ledges and gullies into the centre. Plenty fish occupy the arena and the Huge Honeycomb Moray has been nicknamed Russell the Gladiator. Keep your eyes open for Guitar Sharks in the sand and Potato Bass over the wall.

Experience of negative entry, deep dives and ability to descend quickly to this depth is essential.