Vibrant coral reefs are scattered all over the sea bottom in the close vicinity of the very protected launching site and varies from only a few meters to over 40 meters deep and therefore cater for the beginner as well as the advanced diver! This is the divers chance to indulge him/herself in coral reef diving "par excellence" and to experience the sight of huge Mata rays, whale sharks, enormous moray eels, vigorous game fish, massive potato basses and more! Nowhere else in Mozambique are Mantas so common and it is no wonder that the Inhambane coast is lately being called, the “Manta Coast”!

Rate and Review : Mozambique, Africa, Scuba Diving Destinations


Cresh

Average Depth = 7 Meters Maximum Depth =10 Meters

Scenery = the house reef is shallow enough for snorkelling but also great for a shallower dive. With the sun shining from above it is an excellent site for underwater photography. This reef consists of scattered rock formations, rather flat with sand patches in between.

Marine & Coral Life = Cresh reef has just the right name because there is juvenile fish wherever you look. The bigger variations are present but it is the young ones that draw the attention. In the holes and under the rock crevices there were a lot to keep you busy for example Puffer fish, Blue Spotted Ray, Octopus, Pepper Eels and even a couple of Stone fish made their appearance. Lizardfish, Boxfish, Clown Triggerfish and all the other tropical reef fish seen in the warmer Mozambican water.

The coral consists more of Staghorn coral, lots of Porous corals, Sea sponges and colourful Anemones were ever present. You could wile away the time just drifting and watching the fish behaviours. This is really a very nice dive on a hot summers day.

Mike's Cupboard

Average Depth = 12 Meters Maximum Depth = 15 Meters

Scenery = This reef is flat with big holes and in these holes are small caves, overhangs and even a few arches with swim throughs. Some parts of the reef looks like boulders stacked on top of each other with sand patches in between. Marine & Coral Life =Mike's cupboard is really a true description if that is everything that can be kept there. This is truly a busy place with schools of Blue banded Snappers, Coachmen, Angelfish, Trumpet fish, Kingfish and Tuna passing by. In the holes itself is found a brown Paper fish hiding behind a rock so no one would see him. Others that camouflaged themselves just as well were the Scorpion fish, Crocodile fish and Lizardfish. The Octopus changed his colours so quick that we almost lost sight of him moving into a hole. In the small caves we found a whole lot of Banded Shrimp moving around, there was a big Puffer fish hiding from everyone, a very shy creature. The coral on this reef consists of Whip coral in various colours, beige Fleshy soft coral, purple and white Thistle soft coral and lots of Lobed soft coral. Plate coral, Porous coral and Smooth-horned corals was also seen throughout the dive. This was a very nice dive for the inquisitive diver.

Giants Castle

Average Depth = 21 Meters Maximum Depth = 32 Meters

Scenery = This reef consist of a big wall almost 4 meters high with drop-off’s that leads to sandy areas. All along this wall is a ridge that is rich in marine and coral life. Big rock formations add to the scenery of this reef.

Marine & Coral Life = Diving this reef was really a very nice experience, with a great variety of tropical fish to be seen. A rare Weedy Scorpion fish made his appearance and was amazing how it blended in with the surroundings. This reef has a great variety of starfish species. Big Green coral trees where Goldie’s and Long nose Hawkfish hide from the predators. On the plateau Manta Rays surprise you with a graceful pasture in flight. Under the ledges are Dancing Durban Shrimp waiting to perform their cleaning duties. In the crevices and hollows there are Triggerfish and different species of Moray Eels. On this reef the coral is mostly untouched, from Porous corals to different species of Hard and Soft corals in a variety of colours and textures. Always keep an eye out in the midwater for game fish passing by. A nice dive for the Advanced Diver.

Grotto's

Average Depth = 12 Meters Maximum Depth = 15 Meters

Scenery = This part is next to Mike's Cupboard but just a bigger version. Still a flat reef but just more and bigger hollows in the reef itself. In these hollows are pinniclelike rock formations as well as ledges that form overhangs. Sand patches can be found on the bottom of most of these hollows. The hollows reminded me of the craters on the moon!

Marine & Coral Life = On this dive we found a Grey spot Guitarfish, Honeycomb Moray Eel, Pepper Moray and various species of Nudibranchs. A great number of tropical fish like Trumpet fish, Flutemouthfish, Goldie’s, Peacock Rockcod and Parrotfish is to be seen, to name just a few. There are nice shells on the sand patches and the coral life is full in bloom. Various types of hard and soft coral is found on this part of the reef for instance; Fleshy soft coral, Sea urchins, Brain coral, Leather coral and lots of Anemones. There is a big number of Plate coral with fish like Angelfish hiding underneath. This is a very nice dive for photographers with almost no surge in the hollows.

Sherwood Forest

Average Depth = 21 Meters Maximum Depth = 31 Meters

Scenery = This reef looks like a huge rock formation planted in the middle of the sea floor with a few scattered rock placed here and there. It has some ledges that form overhangs about 3 meters in diameter. There are also some blowholes situated on the one side of the reef. On top there are holes that host a number of Green coral trees, with Goldie’s swimming in and out. The one part of the reef tends to flatten to the Southern side.

Marine & Coral Life = This is one of the deeper reefs in this area but host the most amazing scenery and have to be experienced first hand. Huge Honeycomb Moray Eels, Black cheek Moray's and even a Manta Ray made his appearance. Two Blue spot Ray's were spotted lingering in one of the sand patches on top of the reef. Devil Fire fish, Rockcod, Coachmen and a great variety of tropical fish can be seen here. Fire Gobies, as much as twelve together have been seen hurdled together in one spot. The coral on the other hand ranges from Plate coral, Whip coral and Leather coral to colourful Sea sponges. Soft corals include Anemones, Thistle coral, Palmate Sea fans and Fleshy soft corals in various colours. Don' t forget to keep an eye out for game fish passing through in the midwater!

Buddies

Average Depth = 8 Meters Maximum Depth = 10 Meters

Scenery = Buddies reef is a reef that lies parallel to the shore and consists of two rock banks that has a strip of sand in between separating the reef at some places.

Marine & Coral Life =This is a nice dive for the beginner and is excellent for a night dive because it is close to shore and relatively shallow. The tops of the reefs are broken but in between the crevices the reef is blossoming. There are lots of juvenile reef fish and some rare fish found in the small caves and overhangs. White Paper fish, Brown Rock mover wrasse and various kinds of Stonefish were spotted camouflaging themselves on the reef. A Peacock Mantis Shrimp was spotted during brought daylight and at night different kinds of Crayfish, Sea Cucumbers and a rare Tropical Flounder was seen on one of the rocks. The coral are mostly broken but to make up for that there are various kinds of Anemones and Polyp coral. Daisy coral in a soft pink and Fleshy soft coral in some places. Interesting sea creatures can be found when taking time to look in all the small places.

Office

Average Depth =18 Meters Maximum Depth = 27 Meters

Scenery = This reef has a flat part on the Northern side and further on there is a part that have some small caves and overhangs as well as a wall in some places with hollows and crevices where small fish hide during the day.

Marine & Coral Life = Here is a Manta cleaning station on the flat part of the reef where Manta Rays do a flyby and get cleaned by all the cleaner Wrasse. A big Honeycomb Moray Eel was lying in one of the crevices and a giant Shortspine Porcupine fish was joining him in this space. The reef fish in this area are peaceful and aren't scared of divers. They even come to inspect the divers. Great amount of Rubberlips, Potato Bass, Triggerfish, Goldie’s and Wrasse was spotted in this area. In the small hollows were Dancing Cleaning Shrimp and Banded Shrimp busy performing their duties. In the midwater Manta Ray's, Devil Ray's and two Bull Ray's were playing around us for a few moments. This reef is rich in hard and soft coral with various colours and shapes. There are luscious green Whipcoral to circular big Plate coral. Pink Fleshy coral and Orange sponges are just a few of the corals found on this reef. This was one of the best reefs in this area.

Stalin

Average Depth = 18 Meters Maximum Depth = 30 Meters

Scenery = This is a flat reef on top with ridges along the Eastern side. There are also some small overhangs that form small caves.

Marine & Coral Life = This is a deeper dive for the more advanced diver. On the reef itself there are very little sealife, but on the side along the edges most of the tropical fish hides in the hollows and small caves. The Triggerfish especially, can be found sleeping in the hollows. A Round Ribbontail Ray and a Banded Cleaner Shrimp were getting acquainted in one of the many overhangs. Various types of Starfish and small crabs can be found on this reef. The coral in this area consist of various kinds of hard coral like Staghorn coral and Plate coral. The soft coral includes Porous coral, Anemones, Thistle coral and Fleshy soft coral. Be on the look out for schools of game fish passing by in the midwater.

Amazon

Average Depth = 20 Meters Maximum Depth = 28 Meters

Scenery = A big rock formation with a wall along the one side and a flattened area on the other side with big gullies, hollows and crevices where a great variety of marine life can be found.
Marine & Coral Life = When entering the water, a huge school of silvery Barra cuda passed us by. On the reef itself we found a big Honeycomb Moray Eel lying in a big crevice. Underneath the one overhang we found a Green Turtle still sleeping. Manta Ray's with a wingspan of approximately 7 meters were flying through the water like magic carpets. On the flatter part of the reef another turtle came out to mingle with the divers and play around for a while. A whole school of grey Stumpnose fish came passing by. On the reef there were allot of Green Coral Trees with Painted Surgeonfish hiding in between. Clouds of Goldie’s also surrounded the coral and in the crevices were allot of tropical fish swimming in and out. Whip coral, pink Thistle coral and Anemones were found al over this reef. This was really a magnificent dive and it made driving out worth our while.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za