Sodwana Bay, which is in northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, is approximately seventy-five kilometers south of Mozambique’s border and 640 kilometers east of Johannesburg. Here, clean, warm water from the Agulhas current feeds coral and provides the perfect atmosphere for a variety of delightful fish. Let’s take a look at the incredible reefs that make Sodwana Bay such a vital, unique place to dive.
Diving Conditions and Commonly Found Species
Sodwana Bay is part of the St. Lucia Wetland Park, which is a world heritage site of great importance. Here, summer rainfall and a subtropical climate combine to create hot, humid summers and mild winters. The water temperature averages a pleasant 22.4°C, and reaches an average 26.4°C during the hottest months.
Most of the well-known, highly trafficked dive sites are located at depths between just twelve and eighteen meters, and are accessible to most divers. Some of the lesser-known sites drop into canyons and off ledges to incredible depths ranging between fifty and one hundred meters. There’s something for everyone here – whether you are a seasoned deep diver, or a newly certified enthusiast!
With onshore wave action and a variety of currents that sweep through submarine canyons in the area, shore diving is the exception rather than the rule here. Most dives take place from small boats that are launched directly through the surf and out into calmer water, where the absence of river runoff translates to crystal clear water with excellent visibility that often reaches forty meters.
Diving here is wonderful, no matter what the season. During the summer, whale sharks enjoy feeding on the rich plankton in the area, and the Ragged Tooth Sharks spend some time resting here during their migration. Minke whales and Southern Wright whales, as well as humpbacks, make their way through the waters just off the bay.
When you dive the unique reefs of Sodwana Bay, you will notice that the colors are vibrant and the coral is healthy. There are more than eight hundred species of fish here, along with nudibranchs and a variety of shrimp and shellfish.
On reef crests, you will find soft corals in every color – ranging from thistle coral and leather coral, to mushroom coral. Down in the reef canyons, staghorn coral thrives, along with large plate coral, and honeycomb coral. Massive barrel sponges, sea fans, and sea whips, along with elegant black coral are very much in evidence along the deeper reefs, and huge green trees of coral provide shelter for intriguing creatures and small reef fish.
Turtles, dolphins, rays, and sharks make their homes in various areas, as do some of the most sought-after fish in the world. Each of the reefs has its own habitat and its own occupants, although it is not uncommon to find visitors from other areas in the reef you plan to dive! Simply named after their distance from the launch site onshore, each reef makes up its own special site. You’ll want to explore each of these areas as much as possible, and visit more than once to get maximum enjoyment from your experience.
Two Mile Reef
This shallow reef is suitable for divers of every level, and features brilliant schools of smaller tropical fish, along with a few larger visitors. It is not uncommon to see small sharks in the bottom of the sandy channels here, sleeping and dreaming of the day when they will explore the depths much further out. Visibility is about fifteen meters here, and there are lots of overhangs, coral heads, and small crevices to explore.
Anton's
Located on the southwest point of two mile reef, Anton's is extremely popular, and is home to yellow trumpetfish, all kinds of snappers, and even some frogfish. There are swimthroughs and small caves here, as well as humongous patches of soft coral and plenty of healthy hard coral, all of which is in great shape despite the number of divers that visit the area each year.
Five Mile Reef
This large, flat topped reef of colorful coral is home to swarms of fish in every color. Here, you may feel as though you are diving in an aquarium, thanks to the relative lack of current, and the clear water, combined with the fish, which are happy to swim all around you. Many divers spot dolphins playing in the distance during the boat ride out, and some even find themselves being spied on by a curious bottlenose underwater.
Seven Mile Reef
At seven mile reef, you’ll discover an abundance of head coral, intriguing mushroom shaped pinnacles that look almost surreal, and a wide variety of larger reef fish, along with curious bottlenose dolphins, turtles, rays, and sharks.
Nine Mile Reef
Here, you can experience a nearly untouched reef, and witness massive schools of passing pelagics. Watch for whale sharks, giant manta rays, large leatherback and loggerhead turtles, and frolicking dolphins. Listen for the songs of whales, and enjoy the incredible drop offs, stunning pinnacles, and massive coral trees surrounded by shoals of Goldies. Big Moorish idols feed along the reef, as do larger trumpetfish. Inspect the reef closely, and you’ll find yourself face to face with reluctant Moray eels!
Nine Mile Reef is much harder to get to than the rest of the reefs at Sodwana Bay, and it is also the most challenging dive, which makes it much less attractive to the less serious tourists that tend to arrive in droves during the warmest months. This is a nice get away and a great place to work on your wide angle photography skills!
No matter what you hope to see at Sodwana Bay, you can connect with a local dive operator who will be happy to help you get to your destination safely, and who can point you to the features and marine life you want to encounter most! There are plenty of dive shops to choose from, and most of them offer rentals as well as instruction and insight. So, enjoy your wonderful underwater “safari”! You will want to return again and again.