Mozambique Diving

Dive with turtles, whale sharks and manta rays in the unspoiled depths of the warm Indian Ocean

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Overview

Mozambique-Loggerhead-turtle

Still a secret. But not for long.

Mozambique is a diver’s secret gem—especially around the Bazaruto Archipelago and the Quirimbas. Here, you can encounter whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and even the elusive dugong.

Diving in Mozambique offers some of the most pristine, colourful, and crowd-free coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. With its long tropical coastline, scattered islands, and rich marine biodiversity, it’s a paradise for divers seeking something special—without sacrificing luxury.

The colours of the unspoiled reefs are vibrant and pristine. You can see many brightly coloured fish such as blue snappers, tiger fish and butterfly fish.

From the southern coast near Ponta Mamoli to the remote Quirimbas in the far north, Mozambique's dive sites are as diverse as they are spectacular.

Why Dive in Mozambique?

  • World-famous dive sites like Manta Reef and Two Mile Reef
  • Excellent visibility: 10 to 40 metres depending on location and season
  • Warm Indian Ocean waters all year round
  • You may be lucky and see barracuda, giant lobsters, manta rays, moray eels, plus loads of reef fish.
  • Expect encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and even the elusive dugong.
  • Unspoiled reefs, with minimal bleaching and low diver traffic

Where to stay on a Mozambique Diving Holiday?

Bazaruto and Benguerra  Islands

Mozambique diving

These postcard-perfect islands offer some of the best diving in the country. You’ll find:

  • Whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and dolphins
  • Two Mile Reef: famous in local dive circles
  • The Aquarium: shallow dive with vibrant coral and fish, great for all levels, including snorkellers
  • Seasonal (rare) chance to see dugongs grazing in seagrass beds

Where to Stay: Luxury beach lodges like Azura Benguerra and Anantara Bazaruto offer direct access to dive sites and in-house dive centres.

 

Southern Mozambique – Ponta Mamoli, White Pearl & Tofo

Perfect for adventurous divers who want greater affordability with incredible sightings. Diving with the majestic whale shark is a speciality of this area, especially around  White Pearl Resort,

  • Ponta Mamoli: great visibility and big pelagic species. But Rustic accommodation
  • White Pearl Resort: just to the north, luxury meets wild diving
  • Tofo: famous for seasonal gatherings of manta rays and whale sharks
Quirimbas Archipelago – Untouched Beauty

The Quirimbas Archipelago is a far-flung idyllic cluster of coral islands which remains largely undeveloped—and that’s its charm.

  • Remote dive sites with virtually no other divers
  • Untouched coral systems and excellent marine life

Note: Not operational now

Best Time to Dive in Mozambique

Mozambique diving

  • Best conditions: April to November (dry season)
  • Whale shark season: October to March (especially near White Pearl and Tofo)
  • Water temperatures: 24–29°C throughout the year
  • Avoid: January to March due to cyclones in some parts of Mozambique

 

Who would love Mozambique diving?

  • Experienced divers wanting to avoid crowds
  • Couples and honeymooners seeking Indian Ocean luxury without the Maldives cliché or the large Zanzibar resorts
  • Marine wildlife lovers
  • Families with older kids who dive or snorkel

Back to  Luxury Diving Holidays in Africa for more destinations.

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Sonja Brand

AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST

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