What can you see diving in Mozambique

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What can you see diving in Mozambique

Mozambique is fast becoming one of our favourite destinations for dive holidays. With its warm waters, tropical coastline, remote islands and fantastic weather, its one of those out-of-the-way destinations that tourists have yet to discover. If dive travel is something you regularly indulge in, then Mozambique should definitely be on your list of places to visit as it offers a truly unique experience in a remote setting that few other diving destinations can deliver. Here is some more information on what you can expect to see during a Mozambique dive holiday:

Whales

Between the months of June and October southern right and humpback whales flock to the warm waters of Mozambique to mate and have their calves. Due to the remoteness of the islands, particularly in the Quirimbas Archipelago, in northern Mozambique, the whales are very relaxed and you can get quite close to them without any other boats or divers around. Hop in the water and you may catch a glimpse of a mommy whale protecting her calf as it swims above her or simply stop and listen to the calls of the whales as they echo in the deep blue around you.

Dolphins

dolphins-mozambique

Freediving with dolphins is an amazing experience you won’t soon forget and both Northern and Southern Mozambique offer up the opportunity to enjoy this once in a lifetime thrill. Curious bottlenose dolphins are a common sight while Indo-Pacific humpback and spinner dolphins are also sometimes seen in the Mozambican waters. Dolphins are regularly seen year-round in Mozambique so there is no set season for viewing these magnificent creatures.

Turtles

azura-benguerra-hawksbill-turtle

The untouched beaches of magnificent Mozambique provide the ideal environment for turtles who come on land to lay their eggs. Turtles are seen all year round in abundance on the reefs of Mozambique and the five species that can be found here include leatherback, loggerhead, hawksbill, green and olive ridley turtles. Between the months of October and March you can even join a nighttime soiree to spot the turtles as they come on land to nest – the fee for which often goes directly back into the conservation of these threatened creatures.

Whale sharks

The Bazaruto Archipelago in Southern Mozambique is a hot spot for watching whale sharks. These gentle giants can be seen throughout the year in Mozambique but are seen more frequently in the southern hemisphere summer months from October through to April. The dive centres in Vilanculos offer excursions to swim and snorkel with whalesharks, while following strict guidelines to limit interaction and keep the creatures, and participants, safe. 

Large schools of fish

A number of Mozambique’s island resorts offer fantastic easy diving sites that are perfect for snorkellers of those learning to dive. On these house reefs you can often spot large schools of colourful fish including parrot fish, silver baitfish, potato bass, clownfish, scorpionfish, stonefish, kingfish, sailfish, Napoleon wrasse, and tuna. It is also not uncommon to see nurse sharks or blacktip reef sharks following these magnificent schools. Azura  Quilalea in Northern Mozambique is the only place in Mozambique with a walk-in house reef and is well worth the visit for the luxury dive holiday of your dreams!

The little things

The Mozambican coastline is a haven for photographers. With its rich history, vast array of cultural sites, stunning natural beauty, forests, sandbanks, islands and endless beaches you will never run out of tantalising scenes to tickle the eyeballs. The underwater world is no less magnificent providing a playground for macro photographers with an abundance of leopard cowries, starfish, nudibranchs, shrimps, anemones, eels, and colourful corals.

Dugongs

These rare and elusive creatures are hardly ever seen so if you do happen to spot one count yourself lucky! Thought to give rise to stories of mermaids, the dugong tail resembles that of this mythical creature. Dugongs belong to the only group of vegetarian marine mammals in the world, feeding on sea grass, and there is only one species of dugong remaining alongside three species of manatee. The waters of the Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos are the best places to see dugongs in Mozambique.