Scuba diving in Inhambane Province

Inhambane is a province of Mozambique located on the coast in the southern part of the country. There are excellent beaches (like Zavala, Zavora, Tofo, Barra, Pomene, Jangamo) that stretch along the coast of the province and the Bazaruto Archipelago, and natural parks where various species of vegetation and animals can be observed. Suitable for beginners or for advanced technical divers, diving in the Inhambane region offers stunning shallow reefs, shipwrecks, caverns, and amazing pinnacles. The reef system stretches from the coast of Chidenguele to Inhassoro north of the Bazuruto Archipelago, and large areas of these reefs remain unexplored. Divers are attracted for the variety of macro and pelagic life and vibrant corals. The marine species include butterflyfish, kingfish, stingrays, triggerfish, barracudas, grouper, damselfish, scorpionfish, nudibranches, moray eels, manta rays, turtles, sharks, humpback whales (from June until October). The Tofo area is recognized as one of the best places world-wide to view whale sharks and manta rays. After Tofo, some of the better-known mainland spots are Paindane, Jangamo, and Barra, as well as Morrungulo and Pomene further north. Paindane has a variety of reef and soft corals, while Pomene is rapidly gaining in popularity with divers because of the varied marine life and spectacular, seldom-dived reefs. Mozambique is home to some of the best sites, such as the world-famous Manta Reef (manta rays can be viewed at several cleaning stations), the Office, Giant’s Castle, Amazon, Salon, Chimney Reef, and Trojan’s Gauntlet. Diving in Parque Nacional do Arquipélago do Bazaruto is where divers can see a colorful diversity of hard and soft corals, lots of brightly painted reef fish, and large pelagics. This national park has 19 dive sites, the most famous of which are Two Mile Reef, Baluba Reef (a flat-topped reef with good caves is excellent for underwater photography), and Fossil Reef. Visibility ranges from 5-30m/16-98ft, influenced by a combination of plankton, currents, winds, and tides.

Diving is available year round. The average air temperature throughout the year is 25C/77F. The water temperature is about 30C/86F in the summer (November to April), which is the rainiest period that can bring violent storms. In the winter (May to October), the water temperature is 21C/69F.