(October-April, Advanced Diver, 18-40m)
For the person that enjoys the deeper dives, and the thrill of seeing shark in their natural habit. Its a mixture of deep dives and shallow dives.
The main dive site for seeing sharks is called Pinnacles reef. Popular with fishermen, divers and sea life, the area teems with life during the summer months. It is located 3.5km off the dunes of southern Mozambique. Because the Pinnacles rise off the ocean floor from 50m to 29m, the area acts as an oasis drawing fish to the area and it attracts large numbers of bull sharks during the summer months.
There is 19 species of shark identified in the area, on Pinnacles reef and inshore on more shallow reefs. From July-November it’s not uncommon to see humpback whales and whale sharks on the way to the dive site.
Overview
Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve, which forms the first marine Transfrontier Conservation Area in Africa with Kosi Bay in South Africa, is well known for its rich biodiversity.
It is the home to 500 species of reef fish, 400 species of sea slugs and 19 species of sharks, not to mention that Southern Mozambique is home to 80% of all loggerhead and leatherback turtle nesting sites in Mozambique, the Humpback whales also passes on their annual migration in July-August. Ponta do Ouro is a marine biodiversity hotspot.
Ponta do Ouro offers over 40 different dive sites which varies from 10-40m in depth and 1km to 12km in distance from launch site.
The dive boat is a 7.5m rubber duck that is fully equipped to take up to 14 divers. The dive boat launches from the beach thru the surf, all divers are required to help push in the boat. All dives are drift dives being in the open ocean. Entry is done thru a backward roll. Safety is the main priority and there is radio and telephone communication to shore. Emergency oxygen is standard equipment and all staff is trained in emergency first response.
The Diving in Mozambique is exceptional but it requires a certain level of fitness.
We use SCUBAPRO equipment which is regularly serviced by qualified staff. All divers must present their qualification cards upon arrival.
Nitrox is available on request at a extra cost.
If there is a bad ocean day, we can arrange a day to visit to the Maputo Special Reserve. This pristine 1040-sq km wilderness area, formerly known as the Maputo Elephant Reserve, is at the centre of efforts by the Peace Parks Foundation to protect the wildlife and ecosystems of the surrounding Maputaland area, and to form links between marine, coastal and inland areas.
The reserve’s elephant population is currently estimated at about 450, other species include hippos, giraffes, zebras and impalas.
