Vilanculos Diving
Scuba Diving In Vilanculos
If you were to design a place with maximum diversity… choose a location on the tropical east coast of Africa, add a peninsula, a large bay, tidal sand flats, an estuarine lagoon, sea grass beds, freshwater lakes, extensive mangrove swamps and reed swamps, throw in coral and rocky reefs, idyllic sandy beaches and forested dunes and then sprinkle it with over 400 species of fish, including the elusive sea horse, nesting turtles, enigmatic dugong, with giant manta rays, dolphins and whales offshore. Stir in 275 species of birds and several rare reptiles. Improve the mix by adding items of cultural diversity including traditional fisher-folk and life styles, Arabian dhows, an historic lighthouse, thatched camps under satin skies and the night-time sounds of Africa. This is the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary. The lodge jetty is home to a variety of fish and dolphins can often be seen.
Suggested diving resorts in the area:Casa ChibububoDugong Beach Lodge
The Aquarium - Depth: 1 - 9m
This is an excellent area for snorkelling as well as diving, fields of Stag horn Coral in the shallows and lots of reef life, including curious Octopus.
The Surgery - Depth: 9m - 21m
Large Corals and rocky outcrops in this area are occupied by large numbers of Sturgeon, Honeycomb Morays, Devil Rays and huge Potato and Camouflage Grouper patrol the busy reef.
The Powder Box - Depth: 6 - 16m
A coral garden paradise, Large Table tops, towering Whip Coral, entwined with vibrant soft corals and Powder Blue Tangs dotted all around.
Clown Fish defend their Anemones while Crocodile fish (if you can spot them) lurk on the ocean floor, drift up and down the channels and let the macro life on the reef entertain you.
Coral Gardens - Depth: 8 - 19m
Coral heads and Green Branching Coral sprawl over this area, Damsel fish, Batfish and Kingfish are among the overhead circling fish, keep a look out for the occasional Reef Shark here, and check out the Blue Spotted Rays that nestle in the sandy patches.
Stingray Alley - Depth: 12 - 20m
The sandy floor of the reef is a great place to look for a good selection of Rays, smatterings of coral and plenty reef fish also drift around this area.
Manta Ray Reef - Depth: 12 - 18m (Level of dive: Open Water)
Another large reef, this flat coral reef is nearly 1km long, large shoals of fish like crescent-tailed big eyes, Neon Fusiliers and blue-banded snappers are regularly encountered, along with Brindle Bass, Job Fish and good sightings of Green Turtles. In the Summer Manta's can be seen in this area.
Turtle Ridge Reef - Depth: 12 - 14m (Level of dive: Open Water)
A lovely relaxing dive, great for photographers, a flat narrow coral reef excellent for Turtles lots of reef fish including Parrot fish and Snappers as well as game fish like Barracuda. A great dive for refreshing skills.
Greek Temple - Depth: 12 - 18m (Level of dive: Open Water)
A great dive with caves, overhangs and resembles a tumbling Greek Temple. Best dived at low tide allowing lovely light for photographers. Turtles and Rays flit around the 'ruins' and a myriad of reef life keeps you well entertained.
Rainbow Runner - Depth: 18 - 27m (Level of dive: Advanced -quick descent skills essential)
Strong currents are common here so a quick entry and descent are essential but the rewards are large schools of Pelagic fish, Barracuda, kingfish, Tuna, Eagle Rays, Devil Rays, Rainbow Runners, Green Jobfish, Brindle Bass and even Zambezi Shark.
The Potholes - Depth: 11 - 12m (Level of dive: Advanced)
You can only dive here on a low tide. A great place for Black tail Reef sharks and Nurse Sharks, which hang around the caves, potholes and overhangs. Moving carefully around the site through the potholes and tunnels can be a test of your skills.
Brindle Bass Ridge - Depth: 15 - 18m (Level of dive: Advanced / Minimum 20 dive experience)
Lined with dazzling soft corals this is a lovely dive featuring lots of caves and overhangs, but has a strong current. Large numbers of snappers, angelfish, rubber lips here and keep a look out for Brindle bass, reef sharks, Kingfish and Eagle Rays.
Zenguerema Point - Depth: 15 - 30m (Level of Dive: Advanced)
Providing habitat for spectacular reef fish including frogfish, crocodile-fish, stonefish, scorpion fish, lionfish, parrotfish and pipefish as well as Brindle Bass, Barracuda and Big-eyed Kingfish you can be sure there is always a surprise here.
Five Mile Reef - Depth: 8 -20m (Level of Dive: Open Water / Advanced)
Not as diverse as 2 mile reef but a good location for spotting the large Pelagics and Zambezi sharks. Interesting reef structures and all the usual reef fish.
