Pestana Bazaruto Lodge - Activities
SCUBA DIVING
- Payable directly at the Lodge
Scuba diving at Bazaruto is truly spectacular! The pristine reefs around Bazaruto are similar to the reef structure of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
The corals alone can keep the diver spelbound as the full spectrum of coral species are present. Enormous plate, branching, soft and hard corals are totally unspoilt and in most cases, unexplored. Research is currently being conducted to iternize the vast array of corals.
Over six hundred species of fish have been recorded during Scuba diving.
Humpback whales, dolphins and moray eels often accompany the diver on his exploration of the marine world. Leatherback, Loggerhead, Green and Hawksbill turtles and the mystical dugong are regularly sighted whilst diving.
The waters are warm, and, during summer, only a 3 mm skinsuit is required when diving. Shore and deep sea entries are used depending on the chosen diving site.
Bazaruto lodge has a resident diving instructor and, in order to protect the environment, all dives are scheduled and divers are accompanied by the instructor.
DIVE SITES
Light House Point
- Max depth 15m
- (average 12m)
The dive spot is right up against a reef and can only be explored during small swells. This is a very exciting dive with lots of game fish such as Barracuda, Rainbow Runner, King Mackerel, Job Fish and about five different types of Kingfish. There are of course the usual Reef fish and turtles are often seen in this area (Loggerhead mainly). This dive can also be considered as shark dives as on virtually every dive a few Black-tipped or Black-tailed reef sharks are seen - usually only about 1.5m long. This is nice because people can see sharks and still be safe. Most of the dive is about 8m deep so we usually stay down about 45 minutes. This area is for the more experienced diver.
This area is about 1 km out to sea and can be dived in most weather. It has beautiful corals and a wide variety of reef fish, from small Butterfly fish and Wrasse right up to the giant Brindle Bass. The most notable feature of this dive is a whole lot of pillar-like rock about two metres high and overhangs of rock forming an area resembling an ancient ruin. Another exciting feature of this site is that we often come across large Green turtles that have wedged themselves under rock ledges to sleep. This offers excellent photographic opportunities.
Often large gamefish and sometimes Whale Sharks and Manta Rays are seen in this area. (All the underwater footage on the 50/50 tape was filmed by Bazaruto's Diving instructor at this site.)
- Max depth 25m
- (average 14m)
This reef is 19km out to sea from the island and lies in the warm Mozambiquan current. Average visibility at the site is approximately 30 metres and often better. This area is wild - only about 30 people have ever dived here so it is still "virgin" territory. Sailfish, Mantas, Whale Sharks, shoals of gamefish and lots and lots of reef fish are seen. There are also very good hard and soft corals in this area. This reef is about 5 miles long and is world class.
Whale Rock
About 2km out to sea this reef is a submerged part of an ancient coast line. This is a rectangular shaped reef and it normally takes about 45 minutes to move around it. The top of the reef is about 6m where it has a flat sand bottom. This area is fun to dive because it has quite a few rock overhangs and swim-throughs. As it is a relatively shallow dive there are a lot of Herbivore fish such as Surgeons and Wrasses which are normally not found on the deeper reefs. There are large shoals of Fusiliers in this area. This is a marvellous are for Macro photography.
This is an excellent area for the first dive of a large group because it is, or can be, a shore entry. This gives people time to do buoyancy checks, etc. The reef consists of a rocky ledge running down to about 18 m and after that a sand bottom going down to about 30m. Three huge Brindle Bass live in this area and are often seen at the beginning of the dive. There are often shoals of Big-Eyed Kingfish or Barracuda that will follow you for some of the dive. There are a lot of Lion fish in this area. There are some small ledges with spectacular fish life and an old net which is becoming part of the reef.
Two Mile Reef
- Max depth 15m
- (off southern tip of Bazaruto)
This is a very large reef and it is important that you know where to go. This area has excellent coral and really splendid gullies, overhangs and swim-throughs. It also has a large variety of game and reef fish. This reef is one of the better known and most frequently dived reefs in the Archipelago. Margaruque and Benguerua often use this reef because it is one of the few good reefs close to their islands.
General
As Bazaruto has 37km of reef to dive it is impossible to list all the diving sites. All dive depths quoted are at low tide. There are about five metres difference in our tides. We try not to have a dive school atmosphere and we like to have as much fun on our trips as possible and always keep in mind that Dive Safety comes first. When we go on far-away dives, we normally make a day of it and take coolboxes and packed lunches. If there is a good snorkelling spot nearby people can snorkel in their SIT time. No dives allowed within 25 hours of air flights.
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