You can get the following dive packages and diving holidays:

	Great White Shark Dive & Stay 1 Night Stay at the Roundouse + Great White Shark dive > Click here to learn more Location: Gansbaai Season: All Year Experience Required: None From R1700 per person sharing
	SHARK ALLEY EXPRESS 3 fantastic packages 1 Night + 2 Dives 2 Nights + 1 Dive 2 Nights + 2 Dives > Click here to learn more Location: Gansbaai South Africa Season: all year Experience Required: None Price: from R2250
	Big 2 Combo Fantastic combination of Shark Cage Diving, Whale Watching and accommodation > Click here to learn more Location: Gansbaai Season: July – December Experience Required: None Price: From R2550
	4 Night Shark Alley Express 4 x Nights accommodation 2 x Shark Dives Car Hire / Transfers (Optional) > Click here to learn more Location: Gansbaai Season: All Year Experience Required: None Price: From R4100 per person sharing
	Shark Week Durban Week filled with Sharks with up to 5 different species on any one dive! > Click here to learn more Location: Aliwal Shoal Seasons: All Year Experience Required: Advanced Diver with min 25 dives Price: R8,650 per person Sharing

Source: Shark Bookings

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World destinations

SafariNow has a selection of Self-catering, Guest House, Bed and Breakfast holiday accommodation in Stellenbosch and surrounds.

Praia do Tofo Resorts & Accommodation

Aquatico Ocean Lodge
Aquatico Ocean Lodge consists of several A-Frame chalets. It’s sister accommodation (not on the same premises) is the Aquatico Beach Casitas situated on the Tofo beach. These brick casitas are right next to the dive centre.

Cafe no Mar
Highly recommended by Scuba Mozambique as top luxury accommodation at an affordable price. If you are looking for quality, comfort and style for your stay in Tofo Beach, Mozambique, make Café No Mar your first choice.

Casa John Luxury Houses
Casa John forms the last outpost on the Tofinho Beach, just 20 kilometres south of Inhambane. Its position provides spectacular coastal views, the sea spray tingling the decks of the three luxury houses.

Paradise Dunes
Paradise Dunes consists of individual wooden self catering houses perched on a hill over looking Tofo beach and surroundings. These self catering houses are only a few minutes walk from the beach.

Scuba Mozambique

Mozambique is an up-and-coming tourist destination – a diamond in the rough which is rapidly being polished up to a sunny sparkle and attracting tourists from all over the world.  Scuba divers love it for the world-class diving.  Beach lovers love it for the pristine beaches.  Backpackers love it for the hostels and accommodations on the beaches.  Lovers of luxury love it for the privacy and upscale, idyllic lodges and resorts.

Travelers who enjoy activities like scuba diving, water sports and adventure travel are always hungry for new places to explore and conquer.  In these days of easy travel it can be a challenge to find new and unique places to one-up your buddies - so maybe Mozambique will provide the solution.

Mozambique is a diverse and still-developing country and there is no question that the main reason for its rising popularity is the spectacular Mozambican coastline.  The almost 2,500 km (1,550 miles) of unspoiled beauty and palm-fringed beaches are met by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, along with its lagoons, coral reefs, and hundreds of unspoiled islands.  There are plenty of activities other than diving and snorkeling, such as sailing, sport fishing, salt water fly fishing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing.

Mozambique is a former Portuguese colony on the southeast coast of Africa on the Indian Ocean and separated from Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel.  Scuba divers can experience swimming with whale sharks, humpback whales, dolphins, manta rays, turtles and dugong – and the courageous can opt for shark encounters.  It is also popular with nature lovers and those with an interest in bird watching and wildlife photography. Be sure to read up on the environmental concerns in the area and the rules and regulations that are in place to protect and preserve the natural beauty,

When traveling to less developed countries it is always important to remember that the medical facilities may be below the standard we are used to.  In Mozambique serious problems may require medical evacuation to South Africa.  Therefore, when choosing  travel insurance make sure that it includes medical evacuation by air ambulance and emergency repatriation.  Carefully check the insurance policy wording for exclusions or restrictions on scuba diving and water sports activities – especially regarding liability.  There’s no question that any type of insurance has baffling terminology which can be hard to read through, so if in doubt always call to clarify.

In the unlikely event that the beaches and islands become boring there are plenty of other activities to explore. Try a dhow cruise or a safari trip, or browse the colorful markets.  Many visitors prefer to stay in the south of the country close to the capital city, Maputo, where the roads and transportation systems are better and there is access to a wider range of modern facilities.  When it comes to nightlife, there is plenty to do with the jazz bars and street cafes or dancing the night away to the thrilling Mozambican marrabenta rhythms.

Access to funds may be difficult without some prior research and planning. Check out the best way to carry currency or access your funds in Mozambique.  The best times to visit are between May and November when the climate is a little cooler and temperatures range from 24-27%u02DAC in coastal areas.

Most visitors and backpackers head north of Maputo to the gorgeous beaches and backpacker lodges at Tofo and on to places like Vilankulo and the Bazaruto Archipelago.  The adventurous or those seeking ultimate privacy and exclusivity may prefer to take the road less travelled and venture further north in the country where the scenery becomes even more natural and unspoilt and there are fewer tourists.

This jewel of a country with its dreamy beaches, islands and coral reefs is a place to visit while it is still relatively undiscovered by mainstream tourism. The locals are friendly and eager to give visitors a big smile and warm welcome.  While you are busy packing the snorkel, fins, and sunscreen don’t forget your sunglasses – because so much beauty can be dazzling!

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Scuba Diving Mozambique

Much of the coast remains unexplored and adventurous travellers are being rewarded with some truly unforgettable experiences.

The country is situated on the east coast of Africa, bordered by South Africa and Swaziland to the south, Zimbabwe to the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania to the north.

Located in the Tropics, Mozambique’s weather is warm and humid, especially during the summer months – October to April – when it can become uncomfortably so. A good time to visit is during the winter months of May to September, when the air is cooler and the water still warm.

This former Portuguese colony gained independence in 1975 but was then caught up in a bloody 17-year civil war, which eventually took it from being one of Africa’s richest countries, to one of its poorest by the time the country gained peace in 1992. Despite the setbacks of recent floods and droughts, Mozambique is recovering as fast as it declined and it now has one of Africa’s fastest-developing economies.

Following the war, much of the early diving centred around Ponto D’Oro and Ponto Malangane, located close to the border with South Africa. The small motel and tented camps that quickly sprang up continue to host visiting South Africans and overseas tourist alike. Sites such as the Pinnacles once attracted many sharks. That was until the Taiwanese long-liners moved in. Dive sites are reached via RIBs launched through the surf. The surf launches in Mozambique are usually less dramatic and less energy-sapping than those that take place in South Africa.

Bass City, one of the most popular dive sites, is named after the friendly potato bass, and Three Sisters is a stunning dive on which you will find a beautiful archway covered with soft corals. As with nearly all of the Mozambique coast, whale sharks are common here between November and May.

Several hundred kilometres to the north, off Inhambane, some of the best diving in Mozambique can be found. Inhambane was where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first came ashore in Mozambique some 500 years ago. Back then, he called the place ‘Land of the Gentle People’. You’ll find the people are still both gentle and friendly – as long as you don’t point a camera at them!

Manta Reef, some 20km from Tofo beach and just 12km from Guinjata Bay, is a world-class dive site. It is centred round two amphitheatres, which play host to just about every fish you would want to see, from schools of colourful big-eyes, grunts and goatfish to squadrons of devil rays, barracuda and, of course, mantas. The latter are virtually guaranteed as these are some of their favourite cleaning stations. Other popular sites for mantas include the Office, where you may also find shark activity if you’re lucky; and Paindane, a beautiful drift dive over spectacular corals and vast numbers of fish, rays and sharks. Sadly, Paindane is popular with the fishermen too. Sherwood Forest, named after the masses of green coral trees to be found there, is also well worth a look.

Accommodation is in a variety of well-appointed lodges situated between 10-20km from town, usually reached via dirt roads. To get to Inhambane you can drive overland but it is best to fly in from South Africa, either from Lanseria near Johannesburg, or Nelspruit, which is close to the Kruger National Park – this makes a great stopover if you fancy seeing Africa’s topside big five.

Around 180km north from Inhambane lies Pomene, where the diving is equally spectacular but the accommodation standards are not so hot. The reefs of Zambia and Sylvia Banks rise from the depths of more than 40m to a shallow 6m, and attract swarms of tropical fish, which in turn attract game fish such as marlin, sailfish and giant kingfish. Mantas and whale sharks are also common here.

Still further north is the Bazaruto Archipelago, a string of beautiful islands that offer the quintessential tropical holiday, in five-star accommodation on palm-tree-shaded beaches. The scenery is stunning and the diving isn’t bad either. The northern reefs of Bazaruto, Rainbow Runner and Twelve Mile Reef are both great for game fish sightings. Off Benguerra Island, Two, Five and Six-Mile Reefs are all good. Two-Mile offers some amazing snorkelling, while at Kingfish Alley (The Gap) you can sometimes spot dugongs.

Wherever you dive in Mozambique you are bound to find something special. Much of the coast remains unexplored, and now is the time to visit.

When to go
All year round. Between May and November the air temperature is in the more pleasant mid-20ºC range. It can become very hot and humid in the summer months between November and April, when temperatures can reach as high as 40°C. The water temperature never falls below 21°C ,and averages around 24°C.

Equipment
A 5mm wetsuit is ideal.

Marine life
Best to go between November and May for whale sharks. Humpback whales can be seen from June to September.

Key Dives
Manta Reef and the Office: big manta cleaning stations
Zambia: sharks and game fish
Paindane: drift dive with whale sharks, guitar, black-tip and reef sharks.

READERS VERDICT

JAN REYNIERS
Experienced Diver

‘After more than 1,500 dives all over the world, Mozambique went from unlisted, to the top three in my book. On one dive I drifted along a slope and had a feeling there was something there. I looked up and, just behind me, very close, were two magnificent whale sharks. At Paindane Express I went from excitement to ecstasy as I saw both white-spotted and bowmouth guitarfish, zebra shark, dolphins, a huge grouper and, to round off the dive in style, a very friendly whale shark. Things got even better when we dived Manta Reef. This place really makes you feel at one with nature, especially when you look into the eyes of a massive manta, then at a squadron of mobula flying over you on their way to distant places – then you smile and know what diving is all about.’

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Scuba Diving Mozambique

Nestled against the warm Indian Ocean is one of the most magnificent coastlines in the world. Resplendent beaches, luscious greenery and indigo oceans merge seamlessly to create a landscape that is at once breathtaking and infinitely haunting. An idyllic escape from city living, Mozambique is the traveller’s oasis – an island that will cater to your every whim. Mozambique has earned a reputation as an almost ethereal holiday destination, particularly for those wishing to spend their days luxuriating in the sunshine and crystal clear sea.

Tourists alighting on its shores are quick to throw down their towels and soak up the warm rays, especially on some of Mozambique’s most popular beaches. These include Pemba Beach on the north coast, and the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago in the south. Contemplate_fullarticle the gentle bobbing of dhows as you sip on an icy drink at these spectacular vantage points. While the unspoilt beaches of Mozambique remain one of the country’s greatest tourist attractions, its indigenous beauty runs deeper than the glassy oceans and velvety sand: For the discerning traveller, Mozambique’s true appeal lies in its history – the stories found in small historical towns and alcoves dotted throughout the subtropical landscape.

Ilha de Mozambique – the Island of Mozambique – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a cultural hodgepodge of museums, artefacts and ancient forts. This quaint fishing village gives visitors a real taste of Mozambican life, as fishermen peddle their wares under ancient stone arches and children run between grand, stately buildings. From this small town, travel to the country’s capital, Maputo. Recognised as the most developed city in Mozambique, this waterside region is also widely regarded as one of Africa’s most beautiful capitals. A former Portuguese colony, the rugged Mozambique coastline is a veritable melting pot of culture. Diversity is evident in all aspects of everyday life here: In the bustling trade on the shores of the ocean, in the historic towns of Inhambane and the hidden Pemba, and in the welcoming embrace of the local beach taverns.

Tourists and locals mingle together under the shade of the palms, bartering over shellfish and colourful curios. Mozambique offers travellers an array of accommodation facilities, from camping sites and lodges to five-star guest houses and hotels. Explore the many coastal towns that abound with hotels and lodges, each area alive with a vibrant mixture of African and Portuguese flavours. Relax on pristine, white sandy beaches, sail to the Bazaruto Archipelago and dive into the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. A country famed for its superb diving spots and watersport opportunities, exhilarating Mozambican sea-based activities include deep sea fishing, snorkelling and sailing. Many of these activities are offered by the lodges and camping sites throughout Mozambique, and some may even be free of charge, depending on where you stay. Arguably one of Africas best kept secrets, Mozambique treats its visitors to an unforgettable holiday experience! Contact Venues4Africa.com to find out about our recommended tours and specials, and experience true beauty in luxurious style.

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