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Vilanculos Mozambique Tel +258 848 506507
Tel (258) 29384252/1 Fax +27 (0) 866 286 958
DIVE BAZARUTO – DIVE SITE DESCRIPTIONS
Dive Bazaruto is a PADI Dive Centre, located at South Beach, Archipelago Resort, Vilankulo.
Co-ordinates = S22 02’38.0 E035 19’19.4 The
Bazaruto Archipelago comprises of five islands which are within the
Bazaruto Archipelago. From north to south, these islands are:
Bazaruto, Santa Carolina Known as Paradise Island, Benguerra,
Margaruque and Bangue. There are a number of dive sites around
the islands, generally on the seaward side. Other dive sites are
located on the seaward side of San Sebastian (south of the islands on
the mainland peninsular ), A point jutting out in line with the
islands. From San Sebastian, the mainland curves south west to
form a large bay which is protected from rough seas by the point and
the islands. Travelling northwards up the bay, Archipelago Resort
looks out to the south of Margaruque Island. Below are
several of our regular dive sites. There are many others, but the
distance to these reefs is greater and we only dive there on special
request.
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Margaruque
Average Depth = 6m
Maximum Depth =14 Meters
Distance from Dive centre = 7 nm
S 21 57’46.5 E 035 25’35.4
This
reef is situated on the north-west side of the picturesque island,
Margaruque. At low tide the top of the reef is out of water and
drops off in a wall to a sandy channel at 10m. Due to its
accessibility, it is a popular snorkel site as well as a dive
site. The wall is teaming with a huge variety of fish life –
large parrot fish, sea goodies, trumpet fish, devil fire fish,
butterfly fish and angelfish, to name a few. There are dense
shoals of Natal Moonies which form a solid curtain of life and then
parts to allow you through and closes up behind you. Octopus hide
in the rock crevasse and crayfish feelers can be seen protruding from
under ledges. Well camouflaged scorpion fish lie on the wall and
can be spotted by the sharp-eyed diver. The base of the wall
shelters several types of small rays, lying flat on the sand and shoals
of stump nose. There is the possibility of seeing a
dolphin or two as they cruise along the channel, close to the island
and then, whilst looking towards the channel, there is a sharp rush of
adrenalin as there suddenly appears a group of 6 huge brindle bass,
about 1,5m in length and 200kg!
At
slack tide, or half way between high or low tide, Margaruque is an
easy, relaxing dive – good for Open Water Divers and dive
students. However, for the more experienced divers, they can have
an exciting high speed drift dive at the change of tides on the
“Margaruque Express”.
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Two Mile Reef
Average depth= 14m Max
Average Depth=14m
Maximum = 22m Distance from Dive centre 16 NM
Co-ordinates S21 48’14.7 E035 30’20.1
Two
Mile is a barrier reef protecting a narrow channel between the high
sand dunes on the south of Bazaruto Island and the long, white beaches
of the north point of Benguerra Island. The north tip of the reef
is mid-way between the islands and runs southwards, parallel to
Benguerra Island, approximately 4.5 kilometres east of its shore.
The top of the reef protrudes from the sea at low tide, and slopes
gently towards the east. It is well known for its excellent
snorkelling sites inside the reef such as the Aquarium, as well as for
a host of exciting dives on the seaward side. These dives sites have
alluring names such as The Arches, Shark Point, North Point, The
Boulders, Surgeon Rock, The Drop-off, Cathedral and The Gap. The
flat-topped reef is carved with exciting gullies, which curve out from
the shallows towards the deeper areas and each bend in the gully gives
the divers a feeling of anticipation of what’s around the corner.
The reef has a colourful diversity of hard and soft corals, anemone
fish hide in their swaying homes and there are numerous schools of
brightly coloured reef fish such as coachman, fusilier, snapper and
surgeon. Schools of large pelagic and reef fish also frequent the area
and you may encounter potato bass; kingfish; barracuda; guitar fish;
devil, manta and honeycomb rays. Large moray eels lurk in their
rocky hideouts and black tip reef sharks often put in an
appearance. The wonderful whale sharks and numerous turtles are a
welcome site to all divers. Shy dugong are in the area and are
sometimes seen from the boat, but count yourself extremely lucky to see
one whilst diving. Two Mile is an excellent dive site for all levels of divers.
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Baluba Reef
Average depth =10M
Maximum Depth=14M Distance from Dive centre=10nm
Co-ordinates = S22 02’32.7 E035 31’28.6
Baluba
Reef is situated straight out from Dive Bazaruto’s launch site, past
the line of surf between Margaruque Island and San Sebastian
point. It is a large, relatively level, flat topped reef with
some lovely caves and gullies. Whilst gliding above the reef,
shoals of redfang triggerfish entertain divers by hiding their heads in
cracks – leaving their entire bodies exposed. Clown triggerfish
are plentiful and look as though an artist has been painting their
bodies. Numerous brightly coloured reef fish give the reef a busy
appearance and looking down there are sandy pits, much like sink
holes. Here there are honey comb morays curled into crevices
looking to prey on unsuspecting octopus, which are abundant on this
reef. Dropping into the gullies, divers follow winding paths
through coral gardens where caves demand to be explored and swim
throughs are irresistible. For nudibranch lovers, this is the
ultimate dive, with an amazing variety of these small, dainty reef
dwellers. Baluba is perfect for Open Water Divers and is an awesome site for underwater photography.
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Linene Reef
Average Depth = 22m Maximum Depth = 30m Distance from Launch Site = 26.7km Co-ordinates = S22 08’11.7 E035 33’38.6
Linene
Reef lies east of San Sebastian point and north east of Linene
Island. Here is where great shoals of pelagic fish merge with
reef dwellers and divers are often met by a number of potato
bass. The reef forms a ridge at 16m, running north west to south
east, upon which the coral formations look like fairy castles inhabited
by magically coloured wrasse, sea goldies, boxies, anglefish and so
much more. South of the ridge the reef slopes down and then drops
off in a low wall to “The Caves” at 22m. This site looks like a
mini-rift valley with its walled sides, which are undercut and harbour
various species of large rockcod. Every type of reef fish seems
to exist here, larger and more numerous than on most other reefs.
There is a trench which has coral knitted over the top and looking down
the openings there are enormous morays hidden in the depths.
Swimming eastwards, the valley flattens out and majestic manta rays
often glide past. North of the ridge, the reef drops off
dramatically into a deep channel where shoals of barracuda, sierra and
kingfish hunt. This is also the feeding ground for reef shark and
hammerheads. Linene is an exciting dive, suitable for Advanced Divers.
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MarlinPinnacle
Average Depth = 30m Maximum Depth = 37m Distance from Launch Site =
12NM Co-ordinates = S22 01’00.1 E035 33’11.
Marlin
Pinnacle is a like small treasure island rising up from the sandy sea
bottom at 37m to a depth of 30m. Divers are almost guaranteed
huge potato bass and shoals of large pelagic fish, as well as large
manta rays and devil rays. Great big turtles circle the divers,
checking them out before slowly swimming away to find a secluded
resting spot. This is a top fishing site as game fish such as
marlin and sailfish are abundant. Shark sightings are numerous
and include reef shark, hammerheads, Zambezi and tigers. During
the whale season, humpbacks are often seen at the surface and their
haunting calls are heard underwater. Whale sharks are also
frequent visitors. Marlin
Pinnacle can only be dived if weather conditions are right, as it is a
fairly small reef and the current can be strong. Due to the
depth, this dive is only suitable for experienced Advanced Divers,
preferably with their Deep Diver Specialty
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Telephone:(+258 848 506 507 |
Email :Office[at]divebazaruto.com
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