An exceptional underwater life
According to a study by Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO), between 250 and 300 of the 369 species of coral found in the Indian Ocean live on the reefs of the Mozambique Channel. This promises colorful diving. Indeed, it's a huge advantage for Mozambique to have such well-preserved reefs.
In the small village of Tofo, the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) is part of the walls. Founded in 2009 and committed to the preservation and protection of manta rays and whale sharks in particular, and marine fauna in general, the foundation works specifically on a few marine areas around the world where the large and fragile endangered cetacean exists, including Tofo in Mozambique. Many unregulated areas are vulnerable to human pressures: intensive fishing, poor waste management and climate change. Through three main pillars - research, education and preservation - the foundation aims to raise awareness of the need to protect Mozambique's marine fauna among local populations and tourists alike, through screenings and information meetings. For further information:www.marinemegafaunafoundation.org
And the whales?
The migration of humpback whales takes place between July and October along the entire coast, when they come to reproduce in the warm waters of the Mozambique Channel before returning to the cold waters. Seeing whales: a dream imprinted in the collective imagination. If some divers have the chance or sometimes the small fright to cross them underwater, travelers will have the opportunity to observe them from the land or the boat. The peak : August and September.
Tofo : the star whale shark
Tofo is said to be home to the big stuff, and it's true. If you want to maximize your chances of seeing whale sharks, Tofo is the place to dive or snorkel. The Marine Megafauna Foundation has identified over 600 whale sharks in Tofo's waters, 70% of which live there year-round. A global exception, as the world's largest endangered fish is usually migratory, and divers can often only observe it for a few months of the year on other Indian Ocean coasts. We also come here to dive or snorkel with dolphins, manta rays, humpback whales in season and the very shy turtles.
There are over twenty sites to explore here, ranging in depth from 9 to over 30 m. Tofo is usually the place to be for deep-sea diving enthusiasts. From the rough beach, Zodiac departures and arrivals can be rough. Adrenalin guaranteed! Night dives are also offered here to discover the immensity of the ocean after sunset and all the surprises it holds in store - intimidating and exciting. Non-divers can opt for the famous and unmissable ocean safari to encounter these large mammals by snorkeling, as the whale shark swims on the surface.
Vilankulo: the coral jewel of Bazaruto
Here, most dives take place around Two Mile Reef, a long, wide reef accessible to all levels in the heart of Bazaruto National Park between the islands of Bazaruto and Benguerra. Fishing is therefore strictly prohibited. No less than 75% of the species found in the Indian Ocean live here. The reefs are in perfect condition, so the diversity of fish follows, offering the promise of clear-water diving in colorful bottoms with multiple varieties of coral. The reef boasts multiple dive sites, each of the eight spots having its own unique characteristics. Marine life is peaceful, with schools of surgeonfish, pufferfish and parrotfish. Moray eels lurk in the cavities, as do three species of rare sea turtle. You'll come across six species of ray, including mantas and mobulas, five species of shark, dugongs (manatees) and huge groupers.
Departures are generally by the day, with one dive (up to 60 minutes) in the morning, followed by a picnic break on the island of Bazaruto, where you can climb the dune to enjoy a breathtaking view of the archipelago. You'll then head off for a second dive, at a different site, before returning for a home-cooked snack. Approximately 40 km from Vilankulo beach, São Sebastião is one of Vilankulo's deepest sites for seeing large specimens. Huge groupers, moray eels, mantas, bulldog sharks, white tip sharks, grey sharks, leopard rays, schools of jacks... and, of course, beautiful coral. However, going there requires extremely good weather and a group of experienced divers. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to have all these conditions!
Ponta do Ouro: the dolphin colony
In the Maputo region, Ponta do Ouro is the southern tip of the country. It's an exceptional place for swimming with dolphins, but also offers some great diving. Easily accessible from Maputo thanks to a new road, Ponta is surely the most affordable destination. Now protected as the Ponta Partial Marine Reserve (PPRM), the bays of Ponta do Ouro, Ponta do Malongane, Ponta do Mamoli and Ponta Techobanine boast a variety of marine flora and fauna, from the smallest species to the most impressive. However, its proximity to neighboring South Africa makes it a haven for Afrikaners. So, during the South African school vacations, the lodges are full and so are the boats!
Zavora and Morrungulo: the confidential spots
In the shadow of the very popular Tofo, Zavora and Morrungulo are spots for initiates. Surrounded by lush, unspoilt nature, the dives here are all the more wild. You'll encounter two species of manta, birostri and alfredi, and an abundance of fish in the coral gardens. In Zavora, you can discover the treasures beached offshore: the Klipfontein for technical divers, a 53 m wreck, or the 32 m Rio Sainas for leisure divers. Loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles regularly join in the fun. Occasionally, the endangered leatherback turtle, as well as Zambezi, hammerhead, white-tip, guitar and whale sharks sail by.
The fluo dive at Nuarro, near Mozambique Island
To the north of Ilha do Moçambique, Nuarro is a great diving destination. Nestled in the protected bay of Memba, visibility is excellent and the sea calm. These conditions have enabled Nuarro Lodge to offer a new approach to diving: fluo diving. Thanks to calm waters and easy entry from land, night diving is carried out using blue lights and ultraviolet filters. Under these rays, you'll discover a completely new underwater world: luminescent corals, polyps and nudibranchs that glow or fluoresce red, violet or green. An experience not to be missed.
The Quirimbas archipelago
The Quirimbas archipelago consists of thirty-two islands stretching some 200 km along the coast of Cabo Delgado. In the north of the country, a veritable jewel of nature, this archipelago is now too close to the area controlled by Daesh terrorists on the Tanzanian border. All the lodges in the Quirimbas are closed. A pity, because off Ibo, extraordinary coral gardens offer ideal conditions for beginners or photographers, but also stronger currents for more experienced divers. Known as a breeding ground for dolphins and whales, the archipelago is exceptional in its variety.
Combine different dive sites
The Mozambican coast is far from uniform: the deep ocean to the south, ideal for observing large marine mammals, gives way to lagoons broken up by coral reefs rich in tropical fish. The best thing to do is to combine several diving spots for different experiences. For example, Ponta do Ouro, Tofo, Morrungulo and Zavora are deep-water spots. Diving here is "sporty" in terms of waves and currents. Entering and exiting the sea can sometimes be a little violent, so you'll just have to hang on! The scenery is less colorful, as it's less rich in coral, but you're more likely to come across manta rays, whale sharks, colonies of dolphins, sharks and whales in season. In Ponta do Ouro, Back to Basics and Gozo organize dives, while in Tofo, Liquid Dive offers rooms facing the sea. Peri Peri Divers (also present in Tofo) has opened a new diving center in Morrungulo, with rooms and a restaurant on site. These spots complement those on Mozambique's north coast. We come to Vilankulos to explore the coral seabed of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, where schools of fish dance in lagoon waters. The Casa Babi guesthouse is attached to the Odyssea dive center. Further north, around the island of Mozambique, the Nuarro Lodge offers a diving stopover. Currently, the Quirimbas archipelago, one of the most beautiful in the country, is no longer open to tourism due to security conditions, but we hope it will reopen soon.
When to dive in Mozambique?
Good visibility from April to November. In July and August, the water temperature will be cooler, but still at 22-23 °C. Visibility remains relatively good at 15 meters. The waters of Vilankulo as well as Tofo contain a lot of plankton, but this also explains the abundant underwater life and the presence of big fish. That's why whale sharks are present all year round. Between November and mid-March, it is the rainy season. It is warm, the water reaches 29°C, but the visibility is average.
