DIVING TOFO
Located 30 minutes by road from Inhambane airport, Tofo is a small village with sandy lanes on a stretch of beach that can be reached by vehicle in a day from Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, or via a flight from Johannesburg. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see to Barra lighthouse and down to Tofinho point. Out of the South African summer holidays it is an extremely pleasant place with a number of small bars and restaurants and a laid-back vibe where all cultures mix harmoniously. Please check out our Tofo Accommodation.
This vibrant Mozambique holiday village was once a charming fishing village and now attracts tourists to its warm weather and breath-taking views. Meet like-minded beach explorers in the bars and in restaurants and share experiences over ice cold beers and platters of prawns. Watch the sun set into the ocean before you fall asleep in your peaceful accommodation. Discover the small African street market where you can buy fresh produce. Join yoga classes with internationally accredited teachers, get a work out on the beach with an ex-pat PT instructor, go horse riding or quad-biking. Take time to visit the ecological centre which highlights the region’s sea life and encourages responsible tourism – the brainchild of the Marine Megafauna Foundation.
Tofo beach is a surfers' and divers’ paradise. This popular Mozambique beach destination runs from a rocky point in the south up towards Ponta do Barra and has kept it's authenticity and laid back feel. The village has sand roads and lots of small bars and restaurants in the centre and dotted around side streets.
This unique sunny beach location is a water sports utopia. Swim with majestic Whale sharks and dive with Giant and Reef mantas in the south-east region of Mozambique where even if the sun doesn't always smile, the people do. Join keen scuba divers and fishermen when you book your special holiday package to discover the abundance of marine life, white beaches and blue skies that are Tofo.
This vibrant Mozambique holiday village was once a charming fishing village and now attracts tourists to its warm weather and breath-taking views. Meet like-minded beach explorers in the bars and in restaurants and share experiences over ice cold beers and platters of prawns. Watch the sun set into the ocean before you fall asleep in your peaceful accommodation. Discover the small African street market where you can buy fresh produce. Join yoga classes with internationally accredited teachers, get a work out on the beach with an ex-pat PT instructor, go horse riding or quad-biking. Take time to visit the ecological centre which highlights the region’s sea life and encourages responsible tourism – the brainchild of the Marine Megafauna Foundation.
Tofo beach is a surfers' and divers’ paradise. This popular Mozambique beach destination runs from a rocky point in the south up towards Ponta do Barra and has kept it's authenticity and laid back feel. The village has sand roads and lots of small bars and restaurants in the centre and dotted around side streets.
This unique sunny beach location is a water sports utopia. Swim with majestic Whale sharks and dive with Giant and Reef mantas in the south-east region of Mozambique where even if the sun doesn't always smile, the people do. Join keen scuba divers and fishermen when you book your special holiday package to discover the abundance of marine life, white beaches and blue skies that are Tofo.
Tofo is one of the best places in the world to see both manta species and whale sharks in the same spot. It is one of the few places in the world where reef mantas (the recently renamed Mobula alfredi) and giant mantas (that has taken over the Mobula birostris name) are seen together - in the same frame even! Recent research carried out by the Tofo-based Foundation for the Protection of Marine Megafauna calculating the local whale shark population has shown it to now be the largest in the world. Both species are visible year-round too.
Tofo’s reefs are also home to other large members of the shark and ray family: the odd-but-stunning bowmouth guitarshark, leopard and zebra sharks, blotched fantail rays, and, if you’re lucky, you’ll see the small-eyed stingray, the largest of the ray species, the only place in the world where it has been seen alive.
There are reef mantas and giant mantas on a number of dive sites, whale sharks on the surface interval, potato groupers, beautiful schools of snapper and soldierfish, curtains of goldies and other fish waiting to clean the mantas, frogfish, schools of trevally, turtles, honeycomb moray eels, and one of the biggest giant moray eels you will ever see. There are also cool smaller creatures like the sea moth, coral whip gobies, dragon moray eels, ribbon eels, purple and yellow sea cucumbers, peacock mantis shrimp, and the usual Indian Ocean reef dwellers. In season, from June to November, Humpback whales cruise past the coast and have been encountered underwater during dives.
Tofo has a wide variety of marine life, and a range of sites from drifts on coral-covered reefs with giant and reef mantas, deep dives, and shallow sites for beginners and macro enthusiasts alike. In the below table, you will find information about various dive sites in Tofo.
Read an article about diving in Tofo here.
Combining it with a trip to the Greater Kruger in South Africa is an ideal way to mix the reef with the bush. The Kruger’s renowned and excellent infrastructure make many sections rather tourist-heavy, but with our knowledge finding quiet spots for more intimate encounters is not a problem. Contact us for Kruger safari information.
Tofo’s reefs are also home to other large members of the shark and ray family: the odd-but-stunning bowmouth guitarshark, leopard and zebra sharks, blotched fantail rays, and, if you’re lucky, you’ll see the small-eyed stingray, the largest of the ray species, the only place in the world where it has been seen alive.
There are reef mantas and giant mantas on a number of dive sites, whale sharks on the surface interval, potato groupers, beautiful schools of snapper and soldierfish, curtains of goldies and other fish waiting to clean the mantas, frogfish, schools of trevally, turtles, honeycomb moray eels, and one of the biggest giant moray eels you will ever see. There are also cool smaller creatures like the sea moth, coral whip gobies, dragon moray eels, ribbon eels, purple and yellow sea cucumbers, peacock mantis shrimp, and the usual Indian Ocean reef dwellers. In season, from June to November, Humpback whales cruise past the coast and have been encountered underwater during dives.
Tofo has a wide variety of marine life, and a range of sites from drifts on coral-covered reefs with giant and reef mantas, deep dives, and shallow sites for beginners and macro enthusiasts alike. In the below table, you will find information about various dive sites in Tofo.
Read an article about diving in Tofo here.
Combining it with a trip to the Greater Kruger in South Africa is an ideal way to mix the reef with the bush. The Kruger’s renowned and excellent infrastructure make many sections rather tourist-heavy, but with our knowledge finding quiet spots for more intimate encounters is not a problem. Contact us for Kruger safari information.
SOME OF Tofo's MANY dive sites
MANTA REEF
Max Depth: 28m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 35 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air dive time: 40 min
Maximum NITROX time: 55 min
Location: SOUTH ZONE
World famous, Manta Reef is probably one of the best dive sites in Africa. The reef offers a huge diversity of marine life including numerous giant mantas (up to 9m in width) which give the reef its name. The reef has north and south walls with adjacent pinnacles of rocks creating gullies at depths of 24m to 28m. The top of the reef is quite flat with beautiful soft corals. The walls provide shelter for large schools of yellow snapper, barracuda, big-eyed, fusiliers; hundreds of bright blue red-tooth trigger fish, tiny goldies, fairy basslets and so on. Large potato and other groupers inhabit overhangs and small caverns, along with large trumpet fish, green turtles and sweetlips. The list of stunning marine life is endless. The cracks and crevices are home to scorpion fish, morays (giant, honeycomb, geometric, yellow-edge, white mouth….), crocodile fish, Spanish dancers and a whole array of nudibranches and cowries. There are three main cleaning stations where the huge manta rays circle and hover to allow small fish to remove parasites from their bodies. Playful devil rays and sometimes eagle rays swim above the reef and on occasion it’s possible to see white tip reef sharks and other rays, on this reef you can also find the rare dragon moray.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 35 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air dive time: 40 min
Maximum NITROX time: 55 min
Location: SOUTH ZONE
World famous, Manta Reef is probably one of the best dive sites in Africa. The reef offers a huge diversity of marine life including numerous giant mantas (up to 9m in width) which give the reef its name. The reef has north and south walls with adjacent pinnacles of rocks creating gullies at depths of 24m to 28m. The top of the reef is quite flat with beautiful soft corals. The walls provide shelter for large schools of yellow snapper, barracuda, big-eyed, fusiliers; hundreds of bright blue red-tooth trigger fish, tiny goldies, fairy basslets and so on. Large potato and other groupers inhabit overhangs and small caverns, along with large trumpet fish, green turtles and sweetlips. The list of stunning marine life is endless. The cracks and crevices are home to scorpion fish, morays (giant, honeycomb, geometric, yellow-edge, white mouth….), crocodile fish, Spanish dancers and a whole array of nudibranches and cowries. There are three main cleaning stations where the huge manta rays circle and hover to allow small fish to remove parasites from their bodies. Playful devil rays and sometimes eagle rays swim above the reef and on occasion it’s possible to see white tip reef sharks and other rays, on this reef you can also find the rare dragon moray.
OASIS
Max Depth: 26m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 35-40 min
Maximum Air dive time: 29 min
Maximum NITROX time: 40+ min
Location: North Zone
This is another stunning reef at around 24m with numerous overhangs, shallow caverns and excellent hard and soft corals. There are two main cleaning stations here that attract the large mantas, and it is often possible to see zebra sharks resting on the sandy bottom. Also in residence are white tip, black tip and silver tip reef sharks. Other large rays such as devil rays, blotched fantail rays and Jenkins whip-rays are common. Large giant and honeycomb morays curl up in crevices. Potato groupers are curious enough to get very close to divers. On closer inspection, the corals offer hiding places for spine lobster, egg cowries, Spanish dancers and large scorpion fish. Schools of big-eyed, yellow snapper, goldies and sometimes barracuda drift over the reef, here you also find the amazing guitar sharks, a lot of trigger fish hiding on the small holes of the reef.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 35-40 min
Maximum Air dive time: 29 min
Maximum NITROX time: 40+ min
Location: North Zone
This is another stunning reef at around 24m with numerous overhangs, shallow caverns and excellent hard and soft corals. There are two main cleaning stations here that attract the large mantas, and it is often possible to see zebra sharks resting on the sandy bottom. Also in residence are white tip, black tip and silver tip reef sharks. Other large rays such as devil rays, blotched fantail rays and Jenkins whip-rays are common. Large giant and honeycomb morays curl up in crevices. Potato groupers are curious enough to get very close to divers. On closer inspection, the corals offer hiding places for spine lobster, egg cowries, Spanish dancers and large scorpion fish. Schools of big-eyed, yellow snapper, goldies and sometimes barracuda drift over the reef, here you also find the amazing guitar sharks, a lot of trigger fish hiding on the small holes of the reef.
ROB'S BOTTOM
Max Depth: 35m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 25-30 min
Maximum Air dive time: 22 min
Maximum NITROX time: 30min
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This is one of the few dive sites that we spend most of the dive along the top surface of the reef. On top of the reef we have scattered smaller pockets as well as one amazing arch that leads into a big crater.
Dropping off the wall of the reef will bring you down to a depth of about 30-34 meters while staying at the top will allow you a depth ranging from 24-27 meters. This is a very good reef when looking for Lobsters and a large variety of different Moray Eels, these being massive Honeycomb, Geometric, Whitemouth, yellow-mouth and even the rarer Golden Morays. With the Moray Eels and Lobsters you tend to encounter a lot of the smaller Cleaner Shrimps hiding amongst them.
A couple of cleaning stations throughout the reef this allowing close Manta and Guitar Shark sightings. Giant Frog Fish, some Leaf Fish and the rare Sea-grass, Ghost Pipefish can also be seen along the rocky bottom. Circling Barracuda and Big-eyed Trevally schools are often found above the reef.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 25-30 min
Maximum Air dive time: 22 min
Maximum NITROX time: 30min
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This is one of the few dive sites that we spend most of the dive along the top surface of the reef. On top of the reef we have scattered smaller pockets as well as one amazing arch that leads into a big crater.
Dropping off the wall of the reef will bring you down to a depth of about 30-34 meters while staying at the top will allow you a depth ranging from 24-27 meters. This is a very good reef when looking for Lobsters and a large variety of different Moray Eels, these being massive Honeycomb, Geometric, Whitemouth, yellow-mouth and even the rarer Golden Morays. With the Moray Eels and Lobsters you tend to encounter a lot of the smaller Cleaner Shrimps hiding amongst them.
A couple of cleaning stations throughout the reef this allowing close Manta and Guitar Shark sightings. Giant Frog Fish, some Leaf Fish and the rare Sea-grass, Ghost Pipefish can also be seen along the rocky bottom. Circling Barracuda and Big-eyed Trevally schools are often found above the reef.
REGGIES
Max Depth: 30mt
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 35-40 minutes
Maximum Air dive time: 28 min
Maximum NITROX time: 38 min
Dropping down on to this reef is absolutely mind blowing, Green Tree Corals are everywhere covering the pinnacles and top of the dive site.
Starting at the drop point we generally have our maximum depth in this area around 28-30 meters on the bottom with the top of the reef ranging anywhere from 23-26 meters. You will find an abundant amount of soft corals with different bright colors all along the reef as well as some amazing hard corals.
White tip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks and Leopard Sharks are quite often sighted through-out this dive. We also have two resident turtles here, one being a Hawksbill Turtle and the other a huge Loggerhead Turtle. Two huge cleaning stations along the wall allow us to watch the peaceful Manta Rays while Jenkins Whiptail Rays can be found scattered along the sandy bottom. We often find a few Long nose Hawk-fish on the drop area as well as a few Leaf Fish along the way and often encounter large schools of Long-fin Banner-fish.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 35-40 minutes
Maximum Air dive time: 28 min
Maximum NITROX time: 38 min
Dropping down on to this reef is absolutely mind blowing, Green Tree Corals are everywhere covering the pinnacles and top of the dive site.
Starting at the drop point we generally have our maximum depth in this area around 28-30 meters on the bottom with the top of the reef ranging anywhere from 23-26 meters. You will find an abundant amount of soft corals with different bright colors all along the reef as well as some amazing hard corals.
White tip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks and Leopard Sharks are quite often sighted through-out this dive. We also have two resident turtles here, one being a Hawksbill Turtle and the other a huge Loggerhead Turtle. Two huge cleaning stations along the wall allow us to watch the peaceful Manta Rays while Jenkins Whiptail Rays can be found scattered along the sandy bottom. We often find a few Long nose Hawk-fish on the drop area as well as a few Leaf Fish along the way and often encounter large schools of Long-fin Banner-fish.
SALON
Max Depth: 15m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 15 min
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 min
Location: NORTH
Salon is named for its variety of shrimps that given time and patience will give your nails a polish. Do not be skittish if you find a Trumpet fish up against your mask, using your body to ambush its prey. This site although fairly small, is a macro photographers dream. Schools of cardinal fish and glass fish busy themselves in and around small crevices avoiding the jaws of large Groupers. Inside the overhangs we can find dozens of Lobsters, small pineapple fish, and for the keen eyes, Leaf fish.
Butterfly, Puffer, Lion and Angel fish can be found milling around the sponges and corals, whilst around the outside of this range expect to see Kulls rays, octopus and cruising barracuda in the blue water, it is also a good place to see small turtles and sing rays.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 15 min
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 min
Location: NORTH
Salon is named for its variety of shrimps that given time and patience will give your nails a polish. Do not be skittish if you find a Trumpet fish up against your mask, using your body to ambush its prey. This site although fairly small, is a macro photographers dream. Schools of cardinal fish and glass fish busy themselves in and around small crevices avoiding the jaws of large Groupers. Inside the overhangs we can find dozens of Lobsters, small pineapple fish, and for the keen eyes, Leaf fish.
Butterfly, Puffer, Lion and Angel fish can be found milling around the sponges and corals, whilst around the outside of this range expect to see Kulls rays, octopus and cruising barracuda in the blue water, it is also a good place to see small turtles and sing rays.
KRAKATOA
Max Depth: 20m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 25 minutes
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 min
Location: SOUTH ZONE
Krakatoa has beautiful hard and soft corals and excellent swim-thrus, gullies and large craters. The deepest areas on the sand are around 20m with the top of the reef between 14m and 12m. Huge spiny lobsters hide under small overhangs and in crevices, along with all types of moray eel and sometimes octopus. Spanish Dancers and egg and tiger cowrie shells can be seen clinging to the rock faces and this is an excellent site of nudi-branches. As the site is just past the point at Praia da Rocha, it’s a good place for spotting whale-sharks at the right time of year. Also there are blue-spotted and shovelnose rays, sometimes an eagle ray or white tip reef shark and large shoals of schooling fish including yellow snapper, pick-handle barracuda, big-eyed, humpback snapper and so on.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 25 minutes
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 min
Location: SOUTH ZONE
Krakatoa has beautiful hard and soft corals and excellent swim-thrus, gullies and large craters. The deepest areas on the sand are around 20m with the top of the reef between 14m and 12m. Huge spiny lobsters hide under small overhangs and in crevices, along with all types of moray eel and sometimes octopus. Spanish Dancers and egg and tiger cowrie shells can be seen clinging to the rock faces and this is an excellent site of nudi-branches. As the site is just past the point at Praia da Rocha, it’s a good place for spotting whale-sharks at the right time of year. Also there are blue-spotted and shovelnose rays, sometimes an eagle ray or white tip reef shark and large shoals of schooling fish including yellow snapper, pick-handle barracuda, big-eyed, humpback snapper and so on.
COLISEUM
Max Depth: 29m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 40-45 minutes
Maximum Air dive time: 28 min
Maximum NITROX time: 38 min
Most likely one of the more colorful and stunning reefs that you can find in Tofo. Dropping down onto the sandy bottom you will find the beginning of the reef to have a step like steady rise.
The average depth on this sandy area is 28 meters while the top of the reef is from 25-26 meters in depth. Soft corals of all colors cover the rocky reef while a few Green Tree Corals can also be found.
The abundance of fish on this reef is absolutely mind blowing. Penciled Surgeon Fish, Humpback Snappers and Long-fin Banner-Fish are found in huge schools throughout this reef. Big Potato Groupers are always the curious type and these can also be encountered along the way.
On top of the reef we have an amazing swim-through where Leopard Rays, Leopard Sharks and Eagle Rays enjoy hanging out, and a lot more.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 40-45 minutes
Maximum Air dive time: 28 min
Maximum NITROX time: 38 min
Most likely one of the more colorful and stunning reefs that you can find in Tofo. Dropping down onto the sandy bottom you will find the beginning of the reef to have a step like steady rise.
The average depth on this sandy area is 28 meters while the top of the reef is from 25-26 meters in depth. Soft corals of all colors cover the rocky reef while a few Green Tree Corals can also be found.
The abundance of fish on this reef is absolutely mind blowing. Penciled Surgeon Fish, Humpback Snappers and Long-fin Banner-Fish are found in huge schools throughout this reef. Big Potato Groupers are always the curious type and these can also be encountered along the way.
On top of the reef we have an amazing swim-through where Leopard Rays, Leopard Sharks and Eagle Rays enjoy hanging out, and a lot more.
SHERWOOD FOREST
Max Depth: 40m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 15 min
Maximum Air dive time: 20 min
Maximum NITROX time: 28 min
Location: Mid-Bay Side
Sherwood Forest gathers its name from the vast amount of Green Tree Corals covering the top of the reef. This is one Of the deepest reefs and is advised for only experienced divers as when the current is running it becomes a little tough to navigate around the reef, the droop is around 28-30m.
Just off the main section of reef is another large pinnacle covered in Green Tree Corals and it’s the deepest part of the reef reaching a depth as deep as 35-37 meters. The top side of the reef has a depth varying from 22-26 meters and this is where you will encounter the cleaning stations.
Manta Rays can be found either being cleaned on top of the reef or just cruising by. Devil rays and Whiptail Rays enjoy relaxing on the sandy bottom or hiding under the large over hanging sections of the reef. Massive Potato Groupers enjoy this reef and can be quite curious when encountering divers. Sea Apples are commonly seen as well as the occasional Samoan Pipefish. This is a fast dive to be exact, but is worth a try, specially is summer.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 15 min
Maximum Air dive time: 20 min
Maximum NITROX time: 28 min
Location: Mid-Bay Side
Sherwood Forest gathers its name from the vast amount of Green Tree Corals covering the top of the reef. This is one Of the deepest reefs and is advised for only experienced divers as when the current is running it becomes a little tough to navigate around the reef, the droop is around 28-30m.
Just off the main section of reef is another large pinnacle covered in Green Tree Corals and it’s the deepest part of the reef reaching a depth as deep as 35-37 meters. The top side of the reef has a depth varying from 22-26 meters and this is where you will encounter the cleaning stations.
Manta Rays can be found either being cleaned on top of the reef or just cruising by. Devil rays and Whiptail Rays enjoy relaxing on the sandy bottom or hiding under the large over hanging sections of the reef. Massive Potato Groupers enjoy this reef and can be quite curious when encountering divers. Sea Apples are commonly seen as well as the occasional Samoan Pipefish. This is a fast dive to be exact, but is worth a try, specially is summer.
AMAZON
Max Depth: 30m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 40-45 minute
Minimum experience level: Advanced or 20 dives with proof of deep experience
Maximum Air dive time: 20 min
Maximum NITROX time: 30 min
Location NORTH ZONE
Amazon Reef is the farthest site and one of the most spectacular; making a visit to this reef will be worth the long journey to the site. Amazon is a stunning horseshoe shaped reef with a maximum depth of 28m on the sandy/rocky bottom inside the horseshoe, and the reef top depth varying between 22m and 24m. The site is an excellent one for spotting white tip reef sharks and zebra sharks, of which there are several residents. Also in residence is a large loggerhead turtle and also sometimes a green turtle or two. Schooling barracuda circle above and huge, table sized fantail rays guard the borders of the reef. Other rays sometimes include devil rays and the occasional giant manta. There is a stunning array of beautiful reef fish in staggering numbers, plus hunting blue-fin travelly and yellow-fin tuna on occasion, and many colorful nudibranches and cowrie shells, a lot of occasional dolphins are also encountered on this dive site and on the way there.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 40-45 minute
Minimum experience level: Advanced or 20 dives with proof of deep experience
Maximum Air dive time: 20 min
Maximum NITROX time: 30 min
Location NORTH ZONE
Amazon Reef is the farthest site and one of the most spectacular; making a visit to this reef will be worth the long journey to the site. Amazon is a stunning horseshoe shaped reef with a maximum depth of 28m on the sandy/rocky bottom inside the horseshoe, and the reef top depth varying between 22m and 24m. The site is an excellent one for spotting white tip reef sharks and zebra sharks, of which there are several residents. Also in residence is a large loggerhead turtle and also sometimes a green turtle or two. Schooling barracuda circle above and huge, table sized fantail rays guard the borders of the reef. Other rays sometimes include devil rays and the occasional giant manta. There is a stunning array of beautiful reef fish in staggering numbers, plus hunting blue-fin travelly and yellow-fin tuna on occasion, and many colorful nudibranches and cowrie shells, a lot of occasional dolphins are also encountered on this dive site and on the way there.
GALERIA
Max Depth: 30m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 10 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air dive time: 20 min
Maximum NITROX time: 30 min
Location: MID-BAY
Galleria is a long wall where currents sometimes create an exciting drift dive. The bottom of the wall is at 30-35m and the top of the reef is between 26-28m. Giant mantas can also be seen on this site, cruising along the wall which provides shelter for various rays, shoals of red-tooth trigger fish, goldies, lobster, scorpion fish and so on. Large potato groupers come in very close to inspect divers. Fragile green tree corals hide all kinds of morays from large honeycomb to small geometric and white-mouth. The wall provides perfect cover for large, rarely seen frog-fish. Devil rays and sometimes small reef sharks can also be seen, this reef is on big channel, so is full of surprises.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 10 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air dive time: 20 min
Maximum NITROX time: 30 min
Location: MID-BAY
Galleria is a long wall where currents sometimes create an exciting drift dive. The bottom of the wall is at 30-35m and the top of the reef is between 26-28m. Giant mantas can also be seen on this site, cruising along the wall which provides shelter for various rays, shoals of red-tooth trigger fish, goldies, lobster, scorpion fish and so on. Large potato groupers come in very close to inspect divers. Fragile green tree corals hide all kinds of morays from large honeycomb to small geometric and white-mouth. The wall provides perfect cover for large, rarely seen frog-fish. Devil rays and sometimes small reef sharks can also be seen, this reef is on big channel, so is full of surprises.
KING-FISHER
Max Depth: 30m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 40 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air divetime: 25 min
Maximum Nitrox time: 35 min
Location: SOUTH ZONE
Kingfisher is named for all the pelagic fish you’ll find cruising the upper face of this dive site in search of small prey milling around the hard and soft corals on the lower terraced slopes. The top of the reef sits at around 23m and steps down into 35-40m. Expect to see Mantas circling the cleaning stations, Turtles having a snooze under the many overhangs, Garden eels sticking up from the sandy patches, large morays and an abundance of reef fish enjoying the shelter of the walls and swim troughs. There is a chance of current here but we can still find shelter along the walls and crevices. This site is a good double tanker with Manta reef or Robb’s Bottom.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 40 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air divetime: 25 min
Maximum Nitrox time: 35 min
Location: SOUTH ZONE
Kingfisher is named for all the pelagic fish you’ll find cruising the upper face of this dive site in search of small prey milling around the hard and soft corals on the lower terraced slopes. The top of the reef sits at around 23m and steps down into 35-40m. Expect to see Mantas circling the cleaning stations, Turtles having a snooze under the many overhangs, Garden eels sticking up from the sandy patches, large morays and an abundance of reef fish enjoying the shelter of the walls and swim troughs. There is a chance of current here but we can still find shelter along the walls and crevices. This site is a good double tanker with Manta reef or Robb’s Bottom.
TABLE TOP
Max Depth: 40m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 15 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air dive time: 9-20 min
Maximum NITROX time: 16-30+ min
Location: MID-BAY
Table Top is a deeper site with a curving wall down to 40m at the bottom and 30m on the top of the reef. Beautiful green tree corals are home to hundreds of goldies and fairy basslets, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimp and many different kinds of morays. The ever-present Potato groupers are just as curious on this site. The wall gives shelter to large schools of Moorish idols and longfin banner fish. Spanish dancers and colorful nudibranches and sea cucumbers cling to the corals. The occasional manta ray will cruise past. This reef has two walls, we descent on the first one and we make our cross to the second wall.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 15 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air dive time: 9-20 min
Maximum NITROX time: 16-30+ min
Location: MID-BAY
Table Top is a deeper site with a curving wall down to 40m at the bottom and 30m on the top of the reef. Beautiful green tree corals are home to hundreds of goldies and fairy basslets, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimp and many different kinds of morays. The ever-present Potato groupers are just as curious on this site. The wall gives shelter to large schools of Moorish idols and longfin banner fish. Spanish dancers and colorful nudibranches and sea cucumbers cling to the corals. The occasional manta ray will cruise past. This reef has two walls, we descent on the first one and we make our cross to the second wall.
KHABIN
Max Depth: 35m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 10 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air dive time: 17 min
Maximum NITROX time: 30 min
Location: MID-BAY
Khabini is yet another one of the dive reefs that has that beautiful horseshoe look on it, this however is also a very deep dive sites.
The top of the reef has large Green Tree Corals scattered about with an opening off to the side which is in actual fact an awesome swim-through.
With the depth on top of the reef ranging from 25-27 meters and the sandy bottom 28-32 meters. Amongst the Green Tree Corals you can expect to find vast amounts of Anthias (Goldies) which also add to making up of the cleaning stations.
These areas we keep a look out for the magnificent Giant and Reef Manta Rays, as well as the special Small-eye Stingray. Along the sandy bottom you can find Kuhl Stingrays, huge Blotched Fantail Rays, Kuhls Rays and on occasion a large Loggerhead Turtle hiding out. Among the smaller guys don’t be surprised to encounter the Samoan Pipefish and Sea Apples amid the rocky bottom.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 10 minutes
Minimum experience level: Advanced or with Deep Dive Certification.
Maximum Air dive time: 17 min
Maximum NITROX time: 30 min
Location: MID-BAY
Khabini is yet another one of the dive reefs that has that beautiful horseshoe look on it, this however is also a very deep dive sites.
The top of the reef has large Green Tree Corals scattered about with an opening off to the side which is in actual fact an awesome swim-through.
With the depth on top of the reef ranging from 25-27 meters and the sandy bottom 28-32 meters. Amongst the Green Tree Corals you can expect to find vast amounts of Anthias (Goldies) which also add to making up of the cleaning stations.
These areas we keep a look out for the magnificent Giant and Reef Manta Rays, as well as the special Small-eye Stingray. Along the sandy bottom you can find Kuhl Stingrays, huge Blotched Fantail Rays, Kuhls Rays and on occasion a large Loggerhead Turtle hiding out. Among the smaller guys don’t be surprised to encounter the Samoan Pipefish and Sea Apples amid the rocky bottom.
CROCODILE ROCK
Max Depth: 17m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 15 min
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 min
Location: NORTH
Crocodile Rock is named for its many large crocodile fish that lie on the bottom on flat rocks and sandy areas. The top of the reef is at around 14m with large craters going down to around 16m. The craters provide excellent shelter to all manner of marine life – schools of snappers and bigeyes hang almost motionless, along with various types of angel fish, butterfly fish, large bright yellow trumpet fish, clown trigger fish, large common lionfish and so on. There are many types of box and puffer fish. Overhangs and crevices provide shelter for lobster, banded coral shrimp and the beautiful Harlequin shrimp. Green turtles rest on rocky ledges. Blue spotted Kuhl’s stingrays and scorpion fish lie still on the bottom next to beautiful egg and tiger cowries. Marbled torpedo rays lay partly concealed under the sand. Large bluefin trevally hunt together in small groups, chasing down the darting fusiliers. We have also, on occasion, seen grey reef sharks and large bull rays on this site.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 15 min
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 min
Location: NORTH
Crocodile Rock is named for its many large crocodile fish that lie on the bottom on flat rocks and sandy areas. The top of the reef is at around 14m with large craters going down to around 16m. The craters provide excellent shelter to all manner of marine life – schools of snappers and bigeyes hang almost motionless, along with various types of angel fish, butterfly fish, large bright yellow trumpet fish, clown trigger fish, large common lionfish and so on. There are many types of box and puffer fish. Overhangs and crevices provide shelter for lobster, banded coral shrimp and the beautiful Harlequin shrimp. Green turtles rest on rocky ledges. Blue spotted Kuhl’s stingrays and scorpion fish lie still on the bottom next to beautiful egg and tiger cowries. Marbled torpedo rays lay partly concealed under the sand. Large bluefin trevally hunt together in small groups, chasing down the darting fusiliers. We have also, on occasion, seen grey reef sharks and large bull rays on this site.
CHAMBER OF SECRETS
Max Depth: 18m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 20 min
Minimum experience level: Open Water.
Maximum Air dive time: 45 min
Location: SOUTH
Very similar in topography to that of Crocodile Rock however Arena is deeper and with higher walls. The potholes on this reef have deeper overhangs and you can even find Green Tree Corals on certain areas on top of the wall.
Both hard and soft corals cover the reef top thus making it beautiful as well as very colourful. The sandy bottom has a depth of 14-18 meters while the top of the reef averages from 12-14 meters.
Along the sandy bottom you can expect to find Crocodile Fish, Spotted Guitar Sharks and Torpedo Rays. Large Lobsters inhabit the smaller caves with a variety of Moray Eels that you will find “hanging out” together. This, being the only shallow dive site where you can stumble across the Sea Apple, generally found in the same area.
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 20 min
Minimum experience level: Open Water.
Maximum Air dive time: 45 min
Location: SOUTH
Very similar in topography to that of Crocodile Rock however Arena is deeper and with higher walls. The potholes on this reef have deeper overhangs and you can even find Green Tree Corals on certain areas on top of the wall.
Both hard and soft corals cover the reef top thus making it beautiful as well as very colourful. The sandy bottom has a depth of 14-18 meters while the top of the reef averages from 12-14 meters.
Along the sandy bottom you can expect to find Crocodile Fish, Spotted Guitar Sharks and Torpedo Rays. Large Lobsters inhabit the smaller caves with a variety of Moray Eels that you will find “hanging out” together. This, being the only shallow dive site where you can stumble across the Sea Apple, generally found in the same area.
ARENA
Max Depth: 20m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 25 min
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 min
Location: SOUTH
The Arena is very similar in topography and marinelife to Crocodile Rock but the craters are deeper with higher walls. The deepest areas are around 20m with the top of the reef between 14m and 12m. The large craters make ideal sheltered homes for many different reef fish such as schooling snapper and bigeyes. The walls are covered with hard and soft corals. Blue spotted shovel nosed rays lie on flat surfaces while huge spiny lobster hide in cracks and under ledges. Tiger cowries grow to incredible sizes here. Excellent swim-thru!
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 25 min
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 min
Location: SOUTH
The Arena is very similar in topography and marinelife to Crocodile Rock but the craters are deeper with higher walls. The deepest areas are around 20m with the top of the reef between 14m and 12m. The large craters make ideal sheltered homes for many different reef fish such as schooling snapper and bigeyes. The walls are covered with hard and soft corals. Blue spotted shovel nosed rays lie on flat surfaces while huge spiny lobster hide in cracks and under ledges. Tiger cowries grow to incredible sizes here. Excellent swim-thru!
PRAIA DA ROCHA
Max Depth: 18m
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 25 minutes
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 mins
Location: SOUTH
Praia da Rocha (Beach of Rocks) is a fringing reef with excellent hard and soft corals. The reef slopes up to the surface and the corals at 5m are beautiful, but this area can only be dived when there is little surge. The outer edge of the reef is at about 18m. The pinnacles of rocks form excellent gullies and swim-thru with overhangs, caverns and large crevices. There are beautiful Spanish dancers, nudibranches and cowries. Honeycomb and zebra morays hide in cracks and very large spiney lobster can be found sheltering under shelves of rock. White tip reef sharks, turtles and eagle rays can sometimes be found here plus many other reef fish, schools of barracuda, snappers, and sweetlips. Praia da Rocha is a good site for encountering whale-sharks during peak season (November to May).
Max Journey Time from Tofo: 25 minutes
Minimum experience level: Open Water
Maximum Air dive time: 60 mins
Location: SOUTH
Praia da Rocha (Beach of Rocks) is a fringing reef with excellent hard and soft corals. The reef slopes up to the surface and the corals at 5m are beautiful, but this area can only be dived when there is little surge. The outer edge of the reef is at about 18m. The pinnacles of rocks form excellent gullies and swim-thru with overhangs, caverns and large crevices. There are beautiful Spanish dancers, nudibranches and cowries. Honeycomb and zebra morays hide in cracks and very large spiney lobster can be found sheltering under shelves of rock. White tip reef sharks, turtles and eagle rays can sometimes be found here plus many other reef fish, schools of barracuda, snappers, and sweetlips. Praia da Rocha is a good site for encountering whale-sharks during peak season (November to May).
