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REEF INFORMATION – SODWANA BAY – KWA-ZULU NATAL
The
coral reef complex of Sodwana Bay is positioned 27 degrees 33’ 28” S and 32
degrees 41’ 10” E, making this reef system one of the most southern in the
world. The majority of these reefs are named according to their distance
from the Jesser Point launch site.
Water Temperatures
The
average water temperature is 23 degrees C with the maximum being 28 degrees
C between March and April. The minimum is 20 degrees C between August and
September.
Raggie Reef
This
is Sodwana’s closest and shallowest reef. It has an average depth of 9, a
maximum of 13 m and lies a quarter of a mile from the launch site. In summer
the female Ragged-tooth sharks congregate here in their hoards to gestate,
and this offers divers an exciting diving experience.
Stringer
Between Quarter mile and 2 Mile reef lies the small but captivating Stringer
reef. It consists of 2 rocky outcrops close together at a depth of 12 – 14
m. You are likely to come across a variety of large and small critters
such as Frogfish, Anemone fish, Ghost Pipe fish, rays, eels and turtles.
Not only do large game fish frequent this area, but it also acts as a
nursery for juvenile fish. This is a truly world class dive on days when a
strong current is not present.
2 Mile
This
is the largest reef in Sodwana, being over 1.8 km long and 900 m wide. The
average depth is 12 m, the shallowest being 8 m and deepest 18 m. 2 Mile
often has the best visibility since it is the shallowest of Sodwana’s 5
major reefs. It has amazing topography that consists of gullies, overhangs
and swim-throughs. Dives can take place from one site to another.
Malaria Medication Advice For Divers
Some strains
of malaria found in
Mozambique are
resistant to Chloroquin.
Speak to
your doctor for advice on which drug treatment programme will best suit you
and your travel companions.
There are
also homeopathic alternatives available on the market.
Larium &
Mephloquin prophylaxis have always been a topical issue when it comes to
scuba diving while on this particular medication.
Please be advised that although we do not wish to offer prescribed medical
advice it is advisable to find an alternative to these medications mentioned
above if one wishes to enjoy a diving holiday in Mozambique.
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Northern 2 Mile
Wayne’s World
– A slightly deeper dive on 2 Mile at 16 m. It is relatively flat in
comparison to the other sites on this section of the reef. A large variety
of soft coral can be found. There is amazing colour on this dive.
Pinnacles
– Just south of the actual pinnacles lies a sand patch with a fixed buoy
line at 12 m of depth. There is a small cave on the western side of the
sand patch that sometimes houses White Tip Reef sharks. Up to three have
been seen in the cave together.
4 Buoy
– Large gullies are found from Pinnacles leading to 4 Buoy were they open up
into a sand patch. All around this sand patch you will find groups of fish
hiding under overhangs and in swim-throughs. Honeycomb Morey Eels are
commonly found around the 4 Buoy area where they find security in the many
small caves.
Cat
Reef
– This reef is similar to that of Wayne’s World but is slightly deeper at 18
m. Game fish are commonly seen coming through from the seaward side. The
diversity of hard and soft corals provide shelter for small fish like
Chocolate Dips, Goldies and Juvenile Butterfly fish to name just a few.
Central 2 Mile
Coral
Gardens
– Coral Gardens is known for the variety of hard and soft coral that carpets
the reef. It is rather flat with a maximum depth of 12 m. Brightly
coloured nudibranchs are plentiful and sighted rather easily by observant
divers.
Arches
– This site consists of sand patches with boulders that form arches in a
variety of shapes and sizes. One arch in particular is large and quite
spectacular. The maximum depth on this dive is 13 m on the sand.
Deep
Sponge
– Deep Sponge lies parallel with 2 Mile but 500 m further out to sea. The
depth ranges from 20 - 35 m. A lovely deep dive, offering divers massive
vase shaped sponges and interesting marine life. Game fish are common
over and around this area. A good option when a strong surge is present
on 2 Mile, however, only open to more advanced divers.
Southern 2 Mile
Caves
& Overhangs
– Caves and Overhangs offers incredible coral formations consisting mostly
of Plate and Stag Horn Corals, which together with the rocky substrate form
numerous small caves. The fish life is abundant making this site a very
colourful dive.
Chain
– This
reef attributes its name to a ships anchor chain that lies across it. This
chain has become part
of
the reef and is now difficult to spot. This reef has a vast number of
Carpet Anemones as well as the elusive Razor Wrasse around its edges.
Zambi
Alley
– Zambi Alley is a sand channel that separates Antons from Chain. This
channel owes its name to spear fishermen who observed Zambezi sharks
there in the past. It has a maximum depth of 16 m.
Antons
– This
is a very well built up reef that is popular with divers. There is a
larger amount of coral life on the out-to-sea side. This is where you will
find great numbers of schooling fish and bait balls of many species.
Turtles are commonly seen around the whole southern region of 2 Mile. The
maximum depth is that of 16 m.
5
Mile
This
reef lies at a depth of 18 - 22 metres. If it is coral life that you want
to see then 5 Mile is for you. This reef has the most diverse coral
communities at Sodwana making it the most fragile dived site. The
extensive beds of Stag Horn, Mushroom and Plate corals are staggering as are
the tiny colourful creatures living in them. Leopard sharks, White Tipped
and Black Tipped Reef sharks are occasionally seen. The flat bed of coral
is dotted with a few craters and potholes. One pothole in particular
contains a variety of interesting marine life.
Ribbon
Ribbon
lies a few hundred metres from the shore beside 5 Mile reef with a depth of
20 m. It consists of 2 small reef systems similar to that of Stringer
reef. This reef attributes its name to the uncommon Ribbon eel found
around its edges. Devil-fire fish are sighted regularly, especially on its
northern point. Diverse, large groups of fish are found in abundance and
because of this, as well as the geography of the reef, large predator fish
make appearances such as Barracuda, King fish and a variety of sharks. A
very interesting dive offering great opportunities for photographers.
7
Mile
This
is the most popular of the further reefs and lies at 24 m at the bottom and
15 m on the top. Most dives
will
be lead at a depth no deeper than 20 m to ensure a longer bottom time.
What makes this reef so popular is its ability to produce the biggest
variety of fish species including Black Tipped Reef sharks, schools of
pelagic fish, huge Moray eels and plenty of turtles. With the amount of
fish species, spectacular drop offs and coral formations, abundant soft
coral life and the chance to sight some incredibly large fish make 7 Mile
reef listed on the worlds top dive sites.
Ramsey
This
pristine reef is named after Dr. Ramsey who conducted research regarding
coral growth on the Maputuland reef complex. Diving on this reef has only
recently been re-opened and not many people know of its whereabouts. It sits
at a depth of 20 m, relatively close to the shoreline. Large rays ,
Devil-fire fish, an array of Nudibranchs, spectacular coral formations and
Morey Eels make this a fantastic dive when the conditions are good. Another
reef that offers great photographic opportunities.
9
Mile
This
reef is the furthest limit in the Sodwana reef complex being 14 km north
from Jesser Point and lies 500 m offshore. The boat ride to the reef
takes between 20 and 40 minutes and for this reason is not always accessible
due to weather conditions, making the boat ride uncomfortable. The
highlight of 9 Mile is the huge Green Tree coral that is surrounded by
hundreds of Goldies, a spectacle for any diver. The “Green Tree” stands
about two and a half metres high and is situated on an outcrop of rock.
Just south of the Green Tree coral is a spectacular system of swim throughs,
overhangs and caves. The reef in this area drops off on the seaward side
from about 14 - 21 m. From the drop off there is a gradual slope to
“Breaking Waters” which is at a depth of around 6 m.
Hotspot
Here
the flat reef at 25 m drops off shear to 30 m, making a spectacular ledge to
dive on. The diver’s chance of seeing big game fish is increased, as these
fish prefer to patrol along a ledge such as this in search of prey. Not a
well-known dive site but popular among anglers who know the sights well.
Click here to
download our Diving Brochure:
Scuba Diving Holidays in Mozambique Engl - web.pdf
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