Explore Inhambane

Inhambane, a gem in southern Mozambique, offers divers a captivating underwater experience. Known for its picturesque beaches like Tofo and Barra, this region is a haven for both novice and seasoned divers. The vibrant reefs, which stretch from Chidenguele to Inhassoro, host a diverse array of marine life, including majestic whale sharks, elegant devil rays, and rare dugongs. Divers can explore a variety of underwater landscapes, from shallow reefs and deep caverns to mysterious shipwrecks and stunning pinnacles, ensuring an exhilarating dive experience tailored to any skill level.

A dive into Inhambane's waters reveals a rich tapestry of macro and pelagic life, where vibrant corals serve as a backdrop for schools of surgeonfish, angelfish, and parrotfish. The region's Bazaruto Archipelago, part of a well-preserved national park, further highlights Inhambane's appeal with its untouched natural beauty. Seasonal visitors like leatherback turtles add to the allure, making every dive a unique adventure. With its uncrowded dive sites and diverse marine ecosystems, Inhambane is a paradise for scuba enthusiasts and underwater photographers alike.

Places to explore

Aqualung

Barra & Tofo

Barra & Tofo region is well-known for its beautiful reefs that are perfect for scuba diving.
Aqualung

Guinjata Bay

Guinjata Bay is considered one of the top diving destinations in the world.

Dive Activity

Diving in Inhambane

Inhambane, Mozambique, is a diver's paradise offering a variety of underwater experiences. Notably, Manta Reef is a spectacular dive site famous for its manta ray sightings and vibrant coral gardens. The site is accessible via liveaboard or boat dives, providing a chance to encounter these majestic creatures up close.

For those preferring shore dives, Tofo Beach is a popular option. It offers easy access to dive sites where you can witness the playful behavior of humpback whales. Unique experiences such as night dives reveal the nocturnal activities of the region's diverse marine life, ensuring every dive in Inhambane offers something special for enthusiasts.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Inhambane

Inhambane, a coastal region in Mozambique, is a haven for marine biodiversity, boasting a variety of reef fish and seasonal marine life. Divers can frequently encounter common species such as parrotfish, angelfish, and clownfish amidst vibrant coral formations. The reefs are teeming with life year-round, providing consistent opportunities for observing these colorful fish.

Seasonal highlights include the presence of larger marine animals. From November to April, manta rays and whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea, are commonly spotted, making this period a thrilling time for divers. Additionally, the area is renowned for its hawksbill and green turtle sightings, most prevalent from November to March, as these species nest along the beaches. Shark enthusiasts may find excitement in encountering reef sharks and, on occasion, the more elusive hammerhead sharks, typically seen in deeper waters during cooler months.

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

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
1.1k Sightings
J
120
F
45
M
48
A
87
M
60
J
53
J
73
A
133
S
139
O
93
N
118
D
122

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

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
311 Sightings
J
38
F
10
M
16
A
22
M
19
J
14
J
23
A
39
S
22
O
40
N
28
D
40
iStock-crisod

Reef Manta Ray
216 Sightings
J
30
F
10
M
3
A
5
M
9
J
1
J
5
A
45
S
33
O
11
N
32
D
32

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

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
190 Sightings
J
20
F
11
M
15
A
9
M
3
J
5
J
18
A
30
S
24
O
26
N
18
D
11

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

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
176 Sightings
J
12
F
10
M
3
A
21
M
13
J
2
J
3
A
42
S
20
O
4
N
30
D
16
iStock/Divepic

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
99 Sightings
J
14
F
3
M
2
A
18
M
9
J
2
J
5
A
7
S
6
O
3
N
22
D
8
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
88 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
2
A
2
M
7
J
11
J
14
A
4
S
25
O
13
N
4
D
1

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

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
77 Sightings
J
14
F
11
M
3
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
10
S
11
O
11
N
7
D
8
AdobeStock-Magnus

Humpback Whale
74 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
8
A
37
S
20
O
8
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: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
1k Sightings
J
135
F
46
M
50
A
86
M
46
J
52
J
76
A
126
S
80
O
116
N
69
D
139
Show More

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

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
1k Sightings
J
132
F
45
M
43
A
84
M
43
J
36
J
63
A
112
S
97
O
118
N
98
D
136

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

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
957 Sightings
J
114
F
46
M
40
A
84
M
60
J
36
J
67
A
119
S
106
O
118
N
83
D
84

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

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
951 Sightings
J
117
F
41
M
31
A
80
M
44
J
40
J
70
A
113
S
91
O
112
N
95
D
117

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

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
837 Sightings
J
109
F
28
M
10
A
58
M
48
J
35
J
82
A
109
S
80
O
90
N
68
D
120

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

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
772 Sightings
J
108
F
42
M
29
A
74
M
38
J
36
J
47
A
85
S
65
O
73
N
78
D
97

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

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
717 Sightings
J
78
F
33
M
24
A
55
M
26
J
25
J
56
A
93
S
63
O
93
N
76
D
95

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

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
701 Sightings
J
97
F
36
M
28
A
57
M
40
J
22
J
54
A
78
S
79
O
59
N
80
D
71

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
692 Sightings
J
85
F
34
M
16
A
40
M
27
J
22
J
42
A
88
S
75
O
81
N
74
D
108

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

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
671 Sightings
J
96
F
35
M
16
A
44
M
34
J
27
J
61
A
80
S
60
O
79
N
72
D
67

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

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
645 Sightings
J
84
F
37
M
20
A
52
M
29
J
23
J
43
A
75
S
63
O
77
N
58
D
84

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

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
627 Sightings
J
74
F
29
M
21
A
47
M
26
J
24
J
43
A
71
S
73
O
67
N
63
D
89

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

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
578 Sightings
J
70
F
26
M
29
A
55
M
26
J
34
J
54
A
55
S
31
O
83
N
49
D
66

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

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
556 Sightings
J
61
F
29
M
18
A
61
M
30
J
11
J
48
A
70
S
49
O
84
N
37
D
58

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

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
503 Sightings
J
48
F
37
M
14
A
55
M
38
J
21
J
32
A
44
S
57
O
63
N
27
D
67

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
468 Sightings
J
74
F
20
M
17
A
36
M
26
J
7
J
30
A
58
S
49
O
55
N
42
D
54

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

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
434 Sightings
J
42
F
14
M
13
A
28
M
20
J
16
J
42
A
54
S
59
O
59
N
43
D
44

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

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
386 Sightings
J
58
F
13
M
15
A
29
M
18
J
11
J
31
A
39
S
23
O
56
N
38
D
55
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
303 Sightings
J
39
F
20
M
8
A
27
M
13
J
17
J
27
A
45
S
38
O
27
N
25
D
17

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

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
291 Sightings
J
15
F
23
M
9
A
23
M
24
J
15
J
16
A
64
S
51
O
14
N
24
D
13
AdobeStock-Magnus

Zebra Shark
244 Sightings
J
34
F
17
M
7
A
20
M
8
J
8
J
12
A
32
S
38
O
13
N
29
D
26

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
239 Sightings
J
32
F
3
M
1
A
13
M
12
J
2
J
14
A
33
S
28
O
53
N
32
D
16

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

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
233 Sightings
J
19
F
11
M
8
A
27
M
16
J
6
J
20
A
34
S
22
O
24
N
34
D
12

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
231 Sightings
J
21
F
17
M
8
A
11
M
4
J
6
J
22
A
36
S
32
O
31
N
32
D
11

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
224 Sightings
J
22
F
3
M
2
A
27
M
17
J
8
J
30
A
21
S
14
O
40
N
17
D
23

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

Total number of species: 60

Shutterstock-Laura Dinraths

Electric Ray
209 Sightings
J
33
F
0
M
6
A
6
M
18
J
5
J
5
A
10
S
18
O
47
N
23
D
38

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

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
204 Sightings
J
22
F
4
M
3
A
3
M
11
J
13
J
18
A
18
S
30
O
43
N
6
D
33

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

Total number of species: 20

Shutterstock-Lewis Burnett

Guitarfish
150 Sightings
J
15
F
10
M
8
A
11
M
13
J
15
J
11
A
6
S
11
O
22
N
16
D
12

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

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
145 Sightings
J
19
F
3
M
7
A
11
M
18
J
6
J
5
A
24
S
6
O
26
N
1
D
19

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

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
133 Sightings
J
22
F
4
M
4
A
17
M
8
J
3
J
7
A
8
S
3
O
19
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: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
90 Sightings
J
8
F
4
M
2
A
4
M
1
J
0
J
8
A
11
S
11
O
16
N
20
D
5
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
78 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
6
A
9
M
6
J
4
J
8
A
9
S
0
O
19
N
2
D
2

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

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
72 Sightings
J
14
F
0
M
3
A
1
M
7
J
0
J
13
A
4
S
5
O
22
N
1
D
2

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

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
64 Sightings
J
5
F
7
M
2
A
7
M
6
J
0
J
8
A
14
S
2
O
4
N
1
D
8

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

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
64 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
1
A
8
M
1
J
0
J
6
A
4
S
7
O
19
N
1
D
14
SSI-Peter-Schinck

Leaf Scorpionfish
57 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
2
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
20
S
7
O
3
N
3
D
10

The best Months to Dive in Inhambane

Inhambane offers year-round diving opportunities with generally favorable conditions. Water temperatures range from 24°C–30°C/75°F–86°F, making wetsuits optional for many divers. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 meters, offering clear views of the vibrant marine life.

While diving is possible throughout the year, the best conditions are usually from May to November. During this period, the weather is calm with minimal wind and currents. However, December to April can bring stronger winds and occasional rain, slightly affecting visibility and currents, but diving remains feasible for those prepared for variable conditions.

Dive Centers

Peri-Peri Divers

Praia do Tofo, 1300 Tofo beach, Inhambane Province, MOZ

Barra Reef Divers

Praia da Barra, 1307 Inhambane, MOZ

Dive Sites

Mares, Janez Kranjc

Manta (★3.1)

Manta Reef is approximately a 22km boat ride or roughly a 40-minute journey. The dive depth ranges from 19m to 29m, with a bottom time of 32 minutes for air divers and 40 minutes for Nitrox divers.
Mares

Robs Bottom (★4.4)

A 35 minute drive south from Tofo Beach, straight through ’Whale Shark Alley’, will eventually take you to Rob’s Bottom. A deep-water ridge peaking at 23m, Rob’s attracts a huge host of large marine life and is known as one of Mozambique’s most unpredictable dive sites.
Mares

Simons Town / Chimney (★4.1)

The top of the reef is located at depths ranging from around 13 to 18 meters, and it can be reached by boat in about 6 kilometers or a 10-minute ride. Bottom time will be 45 minutes.
Aqualung

Sherwood (★4.3)

Sherwood Forest’s main attraction is the remarkable cleaning station located on the main rock dome. The top of the reef is located at depths ranging from around 22 to 31 meters, and it can be reached by boat in about 3.5km or a 5min ride. Bottom time on air will be 20 minutes, while with nitrox 30min.
Aqualung

Amphitheater (★4.0)

Less than a kilometer away from the splendid “Marble Arch“ dive site, we can find “Amphitheater“. Same kind of dive with a maximum depth of 18m is perfect to test your open water level before deciding to go deeper.
Aqualung

Reggies (★4.3)

The beginning of the dive is truly remarkable with vast green tree corals and stunning soft corals scattered all around the drop site. Located approximately 16km away, which is about a 30-minute boat ride, this dive site has depths ranging from 23-30m, offering a bottom time of 25 min for air and 40 min on nitrox.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Marble Arch (★4.4)

Nestled in the heart of “Whale shark alley“ is Marble Arch. Named after it’s spectacular swim-throughs, this site is perfect for open water divers looking to put their buoyancy skills into practice and enjoy the breath-taking topography.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Amazon (★4.2)

This reef is shaped like an C, formed by two ledges with craters and large swim-throughs. It is wild, untamed and unspoiled as it is seldom visited. Because it is so far out the visibility is generally very good, the reef is teeming with reef and pelagic fish. One of the few places in Tofo to see leopard sharks.
Mares

Coliseum / Hospital (★4.1)

The top of the reef is located at depths ranging from around 21 to 32 meters, and it can be reached by boat in about 19 kilometers or a 35-minute ride. Bottom time on air will be 23 minutes, while with nitrox it extends to 32 minutes.
Scubapro

Fingers (★4.2)

Fingers Reef derives its name from its finger-like protrusions that shape the primary reef. It is a 2km boat ride lasting approximately 7 minutes, with a maximum depth of about 16m.
Mares

Hogwarts / Outback (★4.0)

The top of the reef ranges from approximately 22 to 31 meters, and it takes about 17 kilometers or 45 minutes by boat to reach it. Bottom time on air will be 26 minutes, while with nitrox it extends to 35 minutes.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Giants Castle (★4.2)

Starting at 26 meters in depth, Giants Castle is massive, extending for more than 350 meters in a north to south direction with a ledge on the eastern side of the reef dropping 7 meters vertically down to the seabed at 35 meters.
Mares

Mikes Cupboard (★4.3)

An interconnected chain of bowls with caves, overhangs, and gullies makes up this dive location. It is perfect for newcomers, photographers aiming for the ideal nudibranch photograph, or anyone seeking a relaxed dive with numerous fascinating views. Accessible by a quick 2km boat ride or a 10-minute travel time.
Mares

Salon (★4.2)

The reef’s main stretch spans around 80 meters, with depths ranging from 9 meters at the top to approximately 15 meters at the base. Salon is approximately a 1.5km boat ride or roughly a 5-minute journey with a bottom time of 45 minutes
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Clownfish (★4.2)

Clownfish is the shallowest divesite we have in Tofo, inside the bay it is a perfect spot to try scuba diving for the first time with depths between 6 and 12 meters. Allowing us to practice all the skills required for entry level courses.