Beach & Dive Spots

Sadly, a glorious beach doesn’t mean it’s a great dive spot as well. But every so often the stars align in your favour, for a wonderful experience both above and below the water.  In some stunning parts of Africa, you can wander from soft sand straight into an underwater world alive with colour, movement and quiet wonder.

Below are some of our favourite regions that combine inviting shores with rewarding diving. This page aims to complement, rather than duplicate our more detailed dedicated Diving pages for some of Africa’s top diving destinations.

Why we love it

• Wild, uncrowded reefs that offer a genuine sense of discovery.
• Freshwater diving in Lake Malawi: an unusual, easy-going alternative to ocean dives.
• Pair beach time with outstanding safari regions.
• A mix of remote beaches, conservation areas and charming small lodges.

South Africa Diving & Beach Spots

The pristine sub-tropical beaches such as Mabibi in northern KwaZulu Natal remain delightfully under-the-radar, thanks to relative lack of accessibility and a fierce commitment to conservation. The reward? Reefs that feel genuinely wild.

Northern KwaZulu-Natal sits within a marine biodiversity hotspot, home to Africa’s southernmost coral reefs. Below the surface, spectacular coral formations shelter a kaleidoscope of reef fish, while turtles, manta ray, dolphins and several shark species drift through the blue waters. It is diving with a refreshing sense of wilderness: unrushed, unspoilt and all the more memorable for it.

Seasonal turtle in northern KZN adds a magical dimension to summer beach & dive stays from November to February. (Check out our article on Turtle-tracking.)

Back to Main Safari & Beach pages

Lake Malawi

One of the world’s top freshwater dive locations, Lake Malawi  offers an entirely different rhythm. No salt to rinse off, no weight belts, no currents. Simply warm, clear water and an astonishing variety of colourful cichlids found nowhere else on earth.

Lake Malawi hosts over 800 species of cichlids, making it one of the most biologically diverse lakes on the planet.

At 450 metres above sea level, it even lets you notch up “diving at altitude”. And because it sits relatively close to game reserves, it’s effortless to pair your lake time with game viewing either in Malawi (Liwonde or Majete Game Reserve) or Zambia’s wildlife-rich rich South Luangwa Park.

Mozambique & the Quirimbas Archipelago

Mozambique’s long Indian Ocean coastline hides some of Africa’s most rewarding dive sites, where vast coral gardens, whale sharks, manta ray and seasonal humpbacks share warm, translucent waters. Its mix of vibrant marine life and relaxed coastal culture makes it a natural extension to a South African safari.

In Mozambique’s far north, the remote Quirimbas Archipelago, stretches out like a necklace of coral sand and turquoise shallows. Some islands are tiny and uninhabited; others host small fishing communities.

The diving here is typically pristine, with dramatic drop-offs, coral gardens and abundant marine life. However, it is currently not possible to visit the Quirimbas. We will update this page as soon as travel becomes feasible again.

Other Top Diving regions – own pages

Madagascar Diving - For something truly otherworldly, Madagascar’s warm currents and thriving coral reefs offer outstanding diving with healthy marine life and dramatic underwater topography — explore more in our dedicated Madagascar Diving guide

Seychelles Diving - The Seychelles offers a spectacular yet gentle introduction to Indian Ocean diving, with warm seas, sculptural granite reefs and easy-going conditions ideal for both beginners and experts.

Zanzibar, Mafia Island and Pemba off Tanzania - Zanzibar’s spice-scented shores also offer a vibrant reef system, where calm lagoons give way to drift dives filled with colourful schools of fish. It’s an effortless add-on to a Tanzania safari, with marine life that rewards both snorkellers and seasoned divers.

Ready to explore Africa both above and below the surface? Let’s plan a beach-and-dive journey that suits your sense of adventure