Diving and Reef Information
Dive planning – provisional dive bookings can be made throughout the day at the Activities counter up until dive planning at 7pm were he/she will need to confirm the dive times with the beach controller at the dive planning board. Making a provisional booking is advised especially during the high season when we are extremely busy. All provisional bookings are subject to change.
Dive equipment can be arranged at dive planning, hired from the reception and collected at the gear room on the morning of the dive. The gear room is open from 6am. A member of staff will assist you with your sizes, weight requirements etc. Dive equipment will be signed out under your name and it is your responsibility to ensure its safekeeping during your stay. All equipment is individually numbered for your identification. You are liable for replacement gear at current rates.
All the dives conducted at Sodwana Bay are drift dives. A predominant current that flows from north to south is noticeable. Depending on the strength of this current, more than one dive site may be covered. Occasionally a reverse current develops. The Divemasters that lead the dives will choose the best dive sites according to the conditions to ensure a comfortable dive.
Divers must kit up and check their equipment during the 30 minute period before their launch. Cylinders will be on the beach at the Coral Divers gazebo. The beach controller co-ordinates the launches and dives of the day and will inform you of the procedures to follow. Your Divemaster is also there to assist you and will brief the group with regards to diving with Coral Divers before setting out.
Coral Divers uses 7.2 meter (21 foot) semi-rigid inflatables with twin outboard motors. They carry a maximum of 11 divers including the Divemaster and have sufficient space for cameras and video equipment. Divers are to kit up in their wetsuits and assemble their gear before the boat launches. The equipment will then be secured into the boat, which is then pushed off the sand into the water by the divers. From here the skipper navigates his way through the breakers to the respective dive site. When the diver’s surface, the skipper will pick them up and once all are onboard, return them to shore. Medical oxygen is available on all the boats and under the Coral Divers gazebo for emergencies.
Freelance beach assistance can be hired at our gazebo on the beach to carry and wash your equipment. They are experienced in kitting up, reliable and trustworthy.
Dive excesses are charged for the further reefs over and above the ‘2 mile’ reef price.
The ‘5 mile’ reef area (including Hot spot, Ribbon and Pothole) is R25.00.
The ‘7 mile’ reef area (including Northern wall, Amphitheatre, Mushroom rocks and Ramsey’s) is R40.00.
The ‘9 mile’ reef area (including Green tree and Breaking waters) is R50.00.
Excesses are charged per person per dive.
All dive prices include air fills.
A 5 dive package cannot be converted into individual dives nor shared.
Dive credits will be given for the remaining dives to individuals that were unable to complete their 5 dive package. These credits are non-refundable, non transferable and valid for 1 year. We have no control over the weather and if we are unable to launch dive credits will be given.
The Coral Divers Beach Shop is located near the air filling stations on the main beach. It has a gear hire facility and a range of diving equipment and accessories for sale. Clothing, cold drinks, tea and coffee are also available. The beach shop is open from 7am to 3.30pm daily.
Reef Information
The coral reef complex of Sodwana Bay is positioned 27 degrees 33’ 28” S and 32 degrees 41’ 10” E, making this reef system one of the most southern in the world. The majority of these reefs are named according to their distance from the Jesser Point launch site. The average water temperature is 23 degrees C with the maximum being 28 degrees Celsius between March and April. The minimum is 20 degrees Celsius between August and September.
Raggie Reef - This is Sodwana’s closest and shallowest reef. It has an average depth of 9m, a maximum of 13m and lies a quarter of a mile from the launch site. In summer the female Ragged-tooth sharks congregate here in their hoards to gestate and this offers divers an exciting diving experience.
Stringer - Between Quarter mile and 2 Mile reef lies the small but captivating Stringer reef. It consists of 2 rocky outcrops close together at a depth of 12 – 14 m. You are likely to come across a variety of large and small critters such as Frogfish, Anemone fish, Ghost Pipe fish, rays, eels and turtles. Not only do large game fish frequent this area, but it also acts as a nursery for juvenile fish. This is a truly world class dive on days when a strong current is not present.
2 Mile - This is the largest reef in Sodwana, being over 1.8km long and 900m wide. The average depth is 12m, the shallowest being 8m and deepest 18m. 2 Mile often has the best visibility since it is the shallowest of Sodwana’s 5 major reefs. It has amazing topography that consists of gullies, overhangs and swim-throughs. Dives can take place from one site to another.
Northern 2 Mile
Wayne’s World – A slightly deeper dive on 2 Mile at 16m. It is relatively flat in comparison to the other sites on this section of the reef. A large variety of soft coral can be found on this reef.
Pinnacles – Just south of the actual pinnacles lies a sand patch with a fixed buoy line at 12m of depth. There is a small cave on the western side of the sand patch that sometimes houses White Tip Reef Sharks. Up to three have been seen in the cave together.
4 Buoy – Large gullies are found from Pinnacles leading to 4 Buoy were they open up into a sand patch. All around this sand patch you will find groups of fish hiding under overhangs and in swim-throughs. Honeycomb Morey Eels are commonly found around the 4 Buoy area where they find security in the many small caves.
Cat Reef – This reef is similar to that of Wayne’s World but is slightly deeper at 18m. Game fish are commonly seen coming through from the seaward side. The diversity of hard and soft corals provide shelter for small fish like Chocolate Dips, Goldie’s and Juvenile Butterfly fish to name just a few.
Central 2 Mile
Coral Gardens – Coral Gardens is known for the variety of hard and soft coral that carpets the reef. It is rather flat with a maximum depth of 12m. Brightly coloured nudibranchs are plentiful and sighted rather easily by observant divers.
Arches – This site consists of sand patches with boulders that form arches in a variety of shapes and sizes. One arch in particular is large and quite spectacular. The maximum depth on this dive is 13m on the sand.
Deep Sponge – Deep Sponge lies parallel with 2 Mile but 500m further out to sea. The depth ranges from 20m - 35m. A lovely deep dive, offering diver’s massive vase shaped sponges and interesting marine life. Game fish are common over and around this area. A good option when a strong surge is present on 2 Mile, however it only open to more advanced divers.
Southern 2 Mile
Caves & Overhangs – Caves and Overhangs offers incredible coral formations consisting mostly of Plate and Stag Horn Corals, which together with the rocky substrate form numerous small caves. The fish life is abundant making this site a very colourful dive.
Chain – This reef attributes its name to a ships anchor chain that lies across it. This chain has become part of the reef and is now difficult to spot. This reef has a vast number of Carpet Anemones as well as the elusive Razor Wrasse around its edges.
Zambi Alley – Zambi Alley is a sand channel that separates Antons from Chain. This channel owes its name to spear fishermen who observed Zambezi sharks there in the past. It has a maximum depth of 16m.
Antons – This is a very well built up reef that is popular with divers. There is a larger amount of coral life on the out-to-sea side. This is where you will find great numbers of schooling fish and bait balls of many species. Turtles are commonly seen around the whole southern region of 2 Mile. The maximum depth is that of 16m.
5 Mile
This reef lies at a depth of 18m – 22m. If it is coral life that you want to see then 5 Mile is for you. This reef has the most diverse coral communities at Sodwana making it the most fragile dived site. The extensive beds of Stag Horn, Mushroom and Plate corals are staggering as are the tiny colourful creatures living in them. Leopard sharks, White Tipped and Black Tipped Reef sharks are occasionally seen. The flat bed of coral is dotted with a few craters and potholes. One pothole in particular contains a variety of interesting marine life.
Ribbon
A very interesting dive offering great opportunities for photographers.7 Mile
This is the most popular of the further reefs and lies at 24m at the bottom and 15m on the top. Most dives will be lead at a depth no deeper than 20m to ensure a longer bottom time. What makes this reef so popular is its ability to produce the biggest variety of fish species including Black Tipped Reef sharks, schools of pelagic fish, huge Moray eels and plenty of turtles. With the amount of fish species, spectacular drop offs and coral formations, abundant soft coral life and the chance to sight some incredibly large fish make 7 Mile reef listed on the worlds top dive sites.
Ramsey
This pristine reef is named after Dr. Ramsey who conducted research regarding coral growth on the Maputuland reef complex. Diving on this reef has only recently been re-opened and not many people know of its whereabouts. It sits at a depth of 20m, relatively close to the shoreline. Large rays, Devil-fire fish, an array of Nudibranchs, spectacular coral formations and Morey Eels make this a fantastic dive when the conditions are good. Another reef that offers great photographic opportunities.
9 Mile
From the drop off there is a gradual slope to “Breaking Waters” which is at a depth of around 6m.Hotspot
Here the flat reef at 25m drops off shear to 30m, making a spectacular ledge to dive on. The diver’s chance of seeing big game fish is increased as these fish prefer to patrol along a ledge such as this in search of prey. Not a well-known dive site but popular among anglers who know the sights well.
MARINE LIFE
Seasonal Sightings - Whale Sharks (Nov to April), Ragged-Tooth Sharks (Dec to Mar), Humpbacks & Southern Right Whales (May to Nov), Turtles – Nesting: (Oct to Mar at Night), Hatching: (Dec to Apr at Night)
Common Sightings - Honeycomb and Guinea fowl Moray Eels, Many Species of Butterfly Fish, Blue spotted ribbon tail Rays Trigger Fish, Anemone Fish, Dolphins, Ghost Pipe Fish, Chocolate Dips, Goldies, Juvenile Butterfly Fish, Nudibranchs, Devil-Fire Fish
Not so Common Sightings - Frog Fish, Paper Fish, Manta Ray (In Summer Months – Sep to Apr), White Tip and Black Tip Reef Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Barracuda, King Fish
