Explore Barra & Tofo

Barra and Tofo offer a diving experience that's nothing short of magical. Nestled along the pristine Mozambican coast, these destinations boast idyllic beaches and an underwater world teeming with life. The region is famed for its vibrant reefs, such as the renowned Manta Reef, which features spectacular manta ray cleaning stations. Dive sites like Praia de Rocha are adorned with stunning pinnacles that invite divers to explore their depths.

Diving in Barra and Tofo provides a rich tapestry of marine life. Divers can encounter a diverse array of species, from the enigmatic frogfish and intricate harlequin shrimps to graceful turtles and elusive seahorses. The waters here are a haven for larger ocean inhabitants too, offering opportunities for thrilling encounters with dolphins, majestic humpback whales, and formidable barracudas. Whether you prefer the excitement of boat dives, the intimacy of shore dives, or the adventure of liveaboard expeditions, Barra and Tofo promise unforgettable underwater experiences, all set against the backdrop of Mozambique’s stunning coastal beauty.

Dive Activity

Diving in Barra & Tofo

Barra and Tofo, located along Mozambique's stunning coastline, offer some of the world's best dive sites. Notable for their diverse marine life, these destinations boast incredible underwater experiences. At Barra, you can explore the wreck of the "Rio Sainas," a fascinating site teeming with marine life, perfect for wreck diving enthusiasts. Tofo, on the other hand, is famous for its shore dives. One of the highlights includes swimming alongside majestic whale sharks and manta rays, offering an unforgettable experience.

Both Barra and Tofo provide a balance between shore diving and liveaboard options, catering to different preferences and diving styles. Shore dives allow divers to explore at their own pace, with easy access to stunning coral gardens and vibrant marine life. For those seeking more extensive adventures, liveaboard trips offer the chance to reach remote dive sites, enhancing the overall experience. Night dives in these areas reveal unique marine behaviors, such as bioluminescent plankton displays, offering a magical glimpse into the underwater world.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Barra & Tofo

Barra and Tofo, located in Mozambique, offer divers a vibrant display of marine life, thriving within their extensive coral reefs. Common reef fish include parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. These colorful species are frequently encountered year-round, providing a lively spectacle for divers of all levels.

Seasonally, the waters of Barra and Tofo become a haven for larger marine creatures. From November to April, whale sharks are a highlight, often seen feeding on plankton near the surface. Additionally, manta rays grace these waters, predominantly from October to March. Green and hawksbill turtles are a frequent sight, with nesting seasons influencing their visibility along the coast. These magnificent creatures contribute to the rich biodiversity that makes this region a renowned diving destination.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

224 Sightings
J
32
F
1
M
12
A
22
M
13
J
13
J
8
A
22
S
17
O
26
N
19
D
39

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Octopus

110 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
6
A
8
M
2
J
5
J
9
A
22
S
10
O
9
N
19
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

Wrasse

79 Sightings
J
6
F
2
M
3
A
8
M
9
J
2
J
2
A
12
S
8
O
2
N
9
D
16

Green Turtle

23 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
2
A
1
M
4
J
4
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Clownfish

360 Sightings
J
45
F
6
M
21
A
37
M
24
J
21
J
29
A
31
S
22
O
31
N
28
D
65

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

352 Sightings
J
36
F
7
M
19
A
36
M
26
J
18
J
15
A
36
S
28
O
35
N
29
D
67

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

336 Sightings
J
32
F
6
M
18
A
32
M
23
J
19
J
21
A
33
S
24
O
37
N
31
D
60

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Trumpetfish

316 Sightings
J
38
F
9
M
16
A
28
M
20
J
19
J
24
A
29
S
25
O
26
N
23
D
59

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

Lionfish

246 Sightings
J
26
F
8
M
17
A
27
M
21
J
8
J
21
A
23
S
25
O
32
N
16
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Bannerfish

236 Sightings
J
26
F
7
M
13
A
24
M
12
J
13
J
20
A
23
S
21
O
32
N
8
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

Stingrays

228 Sightings
J
18
F
6
M
5
A
25
M
16
J
9
J
21
A
23
S
18
O
21
N
20
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

Boxfish

210 Sightings
J
33
F
5
M
4
A
18
M
11
J
14
J
15
A
15
S
15
O
29
N
14
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

Surgeonfish

209 Sightings
J
22
F
5
M
12
A
24
M
18
J
13
J
12
A
13
S
8
O
24
N
18
D
40

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

Triggerfish

203 Sightings
J
22
F
5
M
8
A
19
M
14
J
9
J
14
A
18
S
17
O
19
N
15
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Pufferfish

203 Sightings
J
26
F
5
M
8
A
23
M
14
J
13
J
9
A
18
S
22
O
16
N
15
D
34

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Goatfish

194 Sightings
J
21
F
6
M
9
A
27
M
16
J
4
J
15
A
16
S
14
O
25
N
8
D
33

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Scorpionfish

191 Sightings
J
14
F
2
M
14
A
33
M
14
J
11
J
17
A
19
S
8
O
21
N
13
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

Snapper

175 Sightings
J
13
F
9
M
4
A
16
M
16
J
13
J
11
A
10
S
24
O
16
N
2
D
41

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

170 Sightings
J
25
F
6
M
12
A
20
M
16
J
8
J
14
A
5
S
7
O
14
N
15
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Soldierfish

149 Sightings
J
22
F
1
M
8
A
17
M
17
J
7
J
9
A
1
S
16
O
16
N
10
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

Porcupinefish

130 Sightings
J
15
F
1
M
5
A
15
M
6
J
4
J
7
A
11
S
4
O
18
N
19
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

108 Sightings
J
8
F
1
M
4
A
11
M
9
J
10
J
14
A
0
S
13
O
15
N
2
D
21

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Electric Ray

100 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
5
A
6
M
11
J
3
J
0
A
9
S
6
O
19
N
14
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Squirrelfish

79 Sightings
J
10
F
1
M
1
A
10
M
12
J
2
J
8
A
1
S
4
O
15
N
2
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

Guitarfish

69 Sightings
J
5
F
2
M
5
A
11
M
12
J
5
J
2
A
6
S
3
O
8
N
8
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

Nudibranch

69 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
4
J
9
A
13
S
14
O
13
N
0
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Damselfish

64 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
8
A
13
M
10
J
6
J
4
A
2
S
5
O
3
N
2
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Stonefish

60 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
2
A
10
M
1
J
3
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
11
N
7
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shrimp

34 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
2
A
7
M
6
J
0
J
0
A
3
S
2
O
4
N
0
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

Lobster

30 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
6
M
4
J
0
J
0
A
12
S
0
O
4
N
0
D
1

Garibaldi Damselfish

26 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
6
A
7
M
6
J
4
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Spiny Lobster

24 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
2
A
7
M
3
J
0
J
4
A
2
S
1
O
1
N
1
D
0

Leaf Scorpionfish

24 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
3
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

Crab

18 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
7
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
4
O
1
N
1
D
0

The best Months to Dive in Barra & Tofo

Diving in Barra and Tofo is possible year-round, offering a variety of marine life and underwater landscapes. The water temperatures range from 24°C–29°C/75°F–84°F, with the warmer months from November to March providing the most comfortable conditions for divers. Visibility typically spans from 10 to 30 meters/33 to 98 feet, though it's best during the dry season from April to September.

Weather can impact diving conditions, with winds and currents being more pronounced in the wetter months of December to March. These factors can lead to choppier waters, potentially affecting visibility and surface conditions. Despite these challenges, diving is generally feasible all year, with the cooler and drier months offering more stable conditions for those seeking optimal underwater experiences.

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