Dive tours to Bassas da India, Mozambique

DIVE
BASSAS DA INDIA
MOZAMBIQUE
WITH REEFCOMBER TOURS

Situated roughly halfway between Mozambique and Madagascar, this seamount thrusts up 3000m from the floor of the Mozambique Channel. Few people have had the pleasure of visiting this site, which is uninhabited and can only be reached by private boat.

BASSAS DA INDIA

The reefs consist of the slopes and 100mt wide rim of the submerged volcano, which has a diameter of around 11km. This rim protrudes a metre above the water at spring low tide, and encloses a lagoon that is 15m at its deepest points. At high tide the flat, boulder-strewn reeftop disappears beneath the waves.
The Real excitement of exploring Bassas da India lies in the breathtaking wall dives. Gliding down over the gently sloping reef you pass over giant table corals at 15m, before reaching the edge of the drop-off at around 20m. Gripped by a mixture of apprehension and delight, you then drop over the wall, descending to 40m. Schools of kingfish and rainbow runners occupy the deep blue with the occasional solitary yellow-fin tunny, silver tip shark and hammerhead swimming by. At around 60m the wall disappears (it is actually undercut). One of the pleasant aspects of diving Bassas da India is that you can complete your deep wall dives in shallower water, returning to explore coral outcrops spread across a sandy bottom in around 9m of water. At this depth you can observe large schools of parrotfish, fusiliers, anthias and loads of solitary groupers, moray eels, wrasse, butterflyfish and angelfish.
Bassas da India is a difficult dive location to get to and must be one of the Indian Ocean’s wildest and most beautiful dive sites. The great sunken volcano, encrusted with corals and wrecks of numerous ships, is a pristine haven for marine life.

Now that your appetite has been whet - go ahead and choose how you would like to holiday to Bassas:

OPTION 1 - Full Board: R18 500 per person

54ft Motorized Catamaran - This yacht only takes a trip of 8 guests
Leaves from Vilanculos on the following dates:
28 May - 7 June
11 - 21 June
25 June - 5 July
The 10 day package includes: All meals, all dives, all soft drinks, all bottled water
The package excludes: Mozambique visa; flights; alcohol on board

OPTION 2 - Self Catering: R15 800 per person

56ft Sailing Catamaran better known as BRAVEHEART
Braveheart leaves from Vilanculos and will only take 6 guests per trip
Dates are flexible
The 10 day package includes: All diving
The package excludes: Mozambique Visa; flights; meals and drinks (remember you WILL catch plenty fish)

Please do not forget to bring sunglasses, sun tan lotion, hat, snorkeling gear, dive equipment, excluding cylinders and weight belt. All divers must be qualified divers - please do not forget to bring along your C-Cards.

MOTORISED CAT
Price per person R18 500

Transfer to and from the yacht
10 Nights Accommodation on board
All meals, fruit juice, alcohol and fizzy beverages
Scuba Diving

NOT INCLUDED: Flights & airport taxes

How to get there :

Air Fares (subject to change without notice):
Flights Jhb–Vilanculos–Jhb: R3100
Airport taxes are approximately R316 per person
VISAS: All visitors must have visas for Mozambique. Speak to your travel agent or consult the nearest Mozambican consulate or embassy.

Currency :

The Metical. But take US$ and ZAR in cash and / or travellers cheques. A few places accept credit cards.

When to go:

Dec to March is very hot (tropical climate). April to Nov is much more pleasant.

Time : GMT + 2hrs

Health:

Malaria is rife, so taking the appropriate prophylactics is essential. Speak to your physician or pharmacist as to the best options. Drink only bottled or purified water.

What to pack:

Loose, comfortable, well worn clothing, well worn walking shoes, beach wear, snorkelling gear if not renting from the lodges, personal medication and toiletries, money belt, protective wear and gear for the tropical sun and rain.
CUSTOMS ALLOWANCE: 20 kg + 1 item of hand luggage.

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