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:: Activities
:: Diving & Snorkeling
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Mozambique |
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Bazaruto Archipelago |
 This is one of the most beautiful areas of Mozambique. Uninhabited islands of white sand are strung along the coastline, dolphins swim in the channel and many varieties of bird inhabit the dense dune forests. The islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra and Magaruque were once joined in one long sand spit, this 70km long stretch of sand separated into three separate islands around 6000 years ago. The smallest island, Santa Carolina, is the only genuine rock island in the archipelago. Diving and snorkeling in the area is fantastic with clear, warm waters, excellent visibility and an amazing variety of colourful marine species.
This area offers a range of unique and important ecological ecosystems, from pristine coral reefs and clear blue waters to white sand beaches, dune forests and freshwater lakes. The isolation of the islands has also ensured protection for the inhabitants. This protection was increased for Bazaruto & Benguerra islands when they were declared a National Park. It is hoped that the surrounding area will be included in this designation in the future, in the meantime partners including WWF, the Southern African Nature Foundation and the Mozambique based Fundacao Natureza em Perigo are working together to ensure the sustainable management of the archipelago.
The huge variety of wildlife species found here include freshwater crocodiles, turtles, small antelope, rodents, snakes, falcons, frigate birds and one of the last remaining viable populations of the enigmatic dugong. The waters are also perfect for game fishing and keen visitors may be lucky enough to catch species such as marlin, sailfish, king, queen & Spanish mackerel.
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Mozambique |
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Inhambane Area |
 Further north up the coastline from Maputo lies the town of Inhambane and surrounding areas of Ponta da Barra, Pandane, Coconut Bay and Praia do Tofo. This area lies on the Tropic of Capricorn and has a warm and pleasurable climate with the fairly high humidity supporting coconut plantations and mangrove swamps.
The waters offshore are a snorkeling and diving paradise, in the ocean off Pandane the under water visibility can reach 40m. Sandbanks lie off the Barra peninsula, created by north moving long shore counter currents depositing sediment.
Deep sea fishing in this area is excellent with species including marlin, sailfish, king, queen & Spanish mackerel. The sleepy towns have an oriental atmosphere to them with spice and cloth markets as well as beautiful mosques. Dhows sail by on the horizon and fishermen line up on the shores in the late afternoon with the days catch.
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Mozambique |
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The Lagoon Coast |
 The lagoon cost of Mozambique stretches 500km from Ponta do Ouro ('Point of Gold') to Inharrime and encompasses many coastal lagoons, some cut off from the ocean by a number of the world's highest forested sand dunes, and some open to the sea. This area is a wildlife haven and is home to turtles, sharks, dolphins and over 300 bird species. Visitors to this area can keep busy with numerous activities such as fishing, birding, swimming with turtles, shark diving, canoeing on the estuaries or diving along the pristine coral reefs. Inhaca Island lies just off the coast and was cut off from the mainland a few thousand years ago. It now boasts a large variety of intertidal niches include open plains, swamps, freshwater lakes and dune forests. These ecosystems provide ideal habitat for birds such as albatrosses, eagles, terns, petrels and sunbirds.
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Seychelles |
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The Islands |
 The many islands of the Seychelles are ideal for diving and snorkeling with the water teperature varying little from the annual average of 29C. The warm sea currents offer the perfect environment for coral to thrive and many species of fish and marine invertebrates can be seen in the shallow reefs. Strict marine conservation policies ensure that species are plentiful and unafraid of spectators. Enjoy boat trips to the spectacular wall reefs or simply relax and snorkel direct from some of the many white sand beaches. The reefs did suffer damage during the increase in sea temperatures experienced a few years ago but they are now recovering well. Dive courses are available from many of the hotels and these range from one day introductory sessions to the four day open water course. Dive centres are widespread and most hotels offer snorkeling equipment for hire although it is recommended that you being your own for convenience.
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South Africa |
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Cape Town |
 For an adrenalin filled diving experience try your hand at some Great Wite Shark diving which can be organised from Cape Town with pick ups and boat launches from Gansbaai. For non-divers snorkel kits are available, or guests can choose to watch from the boat. High season with the best likelihood of shark sightings is from May to August, intermediate season is from September to October and March to April with low season from November to February. As with many boat based activities, the shark dives are weather dependent.
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South Africa |
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St. Lucia Wetlands |
 The St. Lucia area is one of Africa's premier eco-tourism destinations, and a haven for bird and animal life. Five separate eco-systems exist within the area; marine habitats including coral reefs and beaches, shoreline habitat, reed and sedge swamps, the largest estuary in Africa and the western shores with fossil corals, sand forest, bushveld and grasslands.
The area is managed by the Natal Parks Board and much work has been done to ensure that these habitats are conserved and that the tourism activities undertaken here are sensitive. Excellent marked hikes through woodland, grassland and across pristine beaches can be taken around St. Lucia, Cape Vidal and False Bay Park. Snorkeling and diving at the restricted area of Cape Vidal are popular pastimes, as is fishing, whale watching and walking in the forest reserve there.
Boat trips on the estuary at St. Lucia offer a combination of wonderful scenery and beautiful sunsets. This shallow area of brackish water is teaming with fish and attracts a great many water birds in addition to crocodile and hippo. Sodwana Bay, one of the most popular diving sites in Southern Africa, is close by and also includes a great variety of habitat niches which are home to over 330 species of bird.
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