Featured Dive Destination:
PONTA MAMOLI, Mozambique

Ponta Mamoli is situated only 22kms from the Kosi Bay/Ponta do Ouro border post, and 17kms north of Ponta do Ouro. The drive, which will take +/- 1 hour, is recommended for 4x4 vehicles only. From Maputo, the distance is +/- 85kms south, a 4x4 drive of 3 hours. Upon arrival, vehicles are parked on a cleared, shaded and secure plateau, overlooking the bay. From the parking area, it is only a short walk to the central restaurant/bar and accommodation area.

Accommodation consists of private sea facing wooden chalets. All are fully serviced and equipped with 2 x ľ-sized beds, en-suite showers, toilets and basins, ceiling fans and a shaded sea-facing veranda. Well-lit wooden boardwalks, carefully built to protect the delicate coastal vegetation, access all. In addition, there is one luxury unit, equipped with a double Queen sized bed and a larger en-suite bathroom facility. There is also one family chalet that can accommodate up to 5 guests. The accommodation area is just off the beach, but fully protected and shaded by coastal bush and tropical palm trees.

The restaurant is built on the small hilltop, with stunning views over the beach and bay area to the front, and over a lily covered lake to the rear. Guests sit outside on the large covered wooden deck, overlooking the swimming pool, taking in the fresh sea breeze. 3 meals a day are served. The pub is built to offer some of the best views in the world, allowing guests to soak in those beautiful African sunsets, or even sip an early morning cup of coffee as the sun rises over the warm Indian Ocean.

Dive planning is done at the end of each day, in and around the restaurant and pub area. Divers assemble their equipment prior to each dive, at the storage and washing facility, which is then taken and loaded onto the boats. The divers can either take the short walk to the boat, or await the vehicle to give them a ride. After dives, equipment is washed, hung up and stored by the fully trained staff. For photographers and videographers, camera wash-bins are situated next to the restaurant area.

Besides the setting of this little paradise, the coral reefs that stretch north and south respectively will awe divers from around the world. Many know the reefs called Bass City and the Pinnacles, which are just south of Ponta Mamoli. In the bay of Mamoli itself are a number of beautiful dive sites. Just to the north, is the large bay of Ponta Techobanine, which has such prolific coral growth areas; it will take years for a diver to visit them all. With corals as thick as rain forests, and fish life from the smallest to the biggest to suit, Ponta Mamoli will provide divers with some of the finest tropical diving in the world. For snorkellers, there are the shore entry rocky areas that stretch out from the point, or boat rides can be arranged to visit further sites and to look for the dolphin pods that inhabit the region.

In season, and in the evenings, Turtle watching sessions are arranged. Guests are driven up the beaches to find the large female Turtles that have crawled up the beach to lay their precious eggs. The vehicles are careful to remain below any high water mark, and therefore these trips are weather, tide and season dependant.

Ponta Mamoli will never rush you, never hustle you and never bore you.

Packages & Costs :

LOW SEASON RATES:
Accommodation:

Mid-week: Mon – Thurs. R600 p/p p/night

Weekend: Thurs. – Sun R720 p/p p/night

Family chalet - sleeps 4 persons in same room
Sea facing chalet - sleeps 2 people

HIGH SEASON RATES: R840 p/p p/night

The above accommodation includes breakfast lunch and dinner

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING BOOKING CONDITIONS FOR MAMOLI:

BOOKINGS WILL ONLY BE CONFIRMED ON RECEIPT OF A 35% NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT.
FULL PAYMENT 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
No dives planned for Christmas or New Years Day
Non-payment of deposit will result in cancellation of booking without notice
Cancellations made 8 days prior to arrival will be subject to a 50% levy
No refunds will be given for bookings cancelled within 7 days of arrival.
No single supplement in high season
Single supplement 50% added
A maximum of 20% non-divers allowed with high season bookings
Dive credits only given for medical reasons and only valid for 6 months
Day dives are not exchangeable for night dives; night dives are payable prior to dive
Border transfers will run at set times only
All dive cards are to be handed in on arrival, logbooks are checked
The resort does cater for vegetarians on request
No credits for accommodation if clients depart earlier
Private drinks not allowed at pool, pub and dining areas.
No baby sitting available

Dives:

5 or more dives per person, pre-booked & paid = R200 per dive

4 or less dives per person, pre-booked & paid = R225 per dive

Single Dives or dives booked & paid for at the Resort = R250 per dive

Cyalume R35

Snorkeling trips per person 60 minutes min. 6 people R160

Maritime tax per diver – duration of stay R20

Equipment hire per item per day:

Wetsuit or reg or BCD or cylinder R50

Weightbelt, mask, snorkel, fins R10

Per Set (BCD/Reg & Cylinder) R100

Day visitors entrance fee R10 p/p p/day

Border transfers R150 return

E6 processing is available.

How to get there :

You will have to make your own way to the Kosi Bay border post (a map will be provided on confirmation of booking), but from the border, we are able to do a border collection at R60 return.
VISAS: All visitors must have visas for Mozambique. Speak to Reefcomber Tours 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.

CLICK HERE to read a personal account of a dive trip to this resort!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SPOT ON THIS GREAT ADVENTURE...

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PREVIOUS FEATURE: White Shark Ecoventures

Great White Sharks:

White Shark Ecoventures invites you to come cage diving with great white sharks in the aptly named "Shark Alley", near the fishing village of Gansbaai, South Africa.

Sharks are quite possibly the world's most feared animals. From the smallest sand shark to the enormous whale shark, they are sleek, muscled, and some are almost as agile as a dolphin. There is no doubt that they are the most evolved predators in the ocean. Row upon row of teeth and capable of sensing the blood of an injured animal from over a kilometre away, its not surprising that they are the most feared creature beneath the waves. And of them all, the Great White is the most awesome.

White Shark Diving:

What we are offering you is the opportunity to dive and meet a Great White Shark, face to face - and on your own terms. Its an education and you will soon learn that this magnificent creature is in fact, highly misunderstood. It is a creature which should be more respected than feared. And if you spend some quality time with us, and with them, you will quickly learn why.

White Shark Cage Dive Operator's Permit:

Established in 1992 ( when shark cage diving was unknown at Dyer Island), White Shark Ecoventures became one of the very first companies to offer shark viewing / diving tours in the channel at Dyer Island. The company has gone from strength to strength and today, are better known as the most experienced and longest established operator in the field. It is only in 1996 that several other operators followed suit. On board, our crew consists of two D.O.T commercially licensed skippers, level 3 medics, Satour registered tour guides and dive masters. Our directors, an all girls team, consists of Cindy Thornhill and Mariette Hopley.

Staff Members:

Each staff /crew member is highly qualified in his/her specific field and combined have more than 20 years experience with the great white shark.

Robert Cope: Satour Registered Tour Guide, Level II Medic, PADI Dive Master, A1(1) Commercially licenced skipper and PDP licenced driver

Wiehann Myburgh: Satour Registered Tour Guide, A1(1) Commercially licensed skipper, Level III Medic, NAUI Dive Master and PDP licenced driver.

Hansie van der Merwe: A1(1) Commercially licensed skipper, Shark Handler and Captain of the boat

Lydia Myburgh: Sales Manager / Public Relations

Jessica Olifant: Office assistant

Mfundo Ndosi: Logistics assistant

Catherine van Wyk: Admin/general

Sarah Viviers: Admin clerk

Lauwrence Mjivu: Operational co-ordinator

Dyer Island

The name of the island originated from an African American, Samson Dyer, who went to live on the island in the 19th century. He collected "guano" (bird droppings), and made a living from supplying it to farmers on the mainland as fertilizer. The boats that were used to transport the guano from the island to the mainland, were salvaged years ago by the South African Air Force and today they can be viewed in the Maritime Museum at the Waterfront in Cape Town.

Dyer Island (larger island) is the breeding ground of Jackass Penguins, Cape Cormorants and Gannets, while Geyser Rock (smaller island) is a breeding Mecca for Cape Fur Seals and currently home to approx. 50 000 seals. In season, whales and dolphins may also be spotted.

The Boat & Cage

The Vessel: Depart Kleinbaai harbour onboard our newly built catamaran, providing the ultimate stability at sea. Megalodon is not only stable but also has two powerful outboard motors, ensuring a fast, yet safe 20 min ride to Dyer Island.

Facilities Onboard Include:

Spacious cabin
Private/lockable and flushable toilet
Comfortable padded seating (inside and outside)
Upper sun-bathing/shark-viewing deck
All-round safety rails
Fresh pressurized drinking water and basin
Lifting Arch and electronic winch (for effective cage retrieval)
Galvanized 2 man steel cage
Navigation / radar equipment
Medical equipment (including oxygen and fluid replacement)
Current safety equipment and life jackets
2 x 115hp Yamaha Autolube, extra long shaft outboard motors

The Cage:

Our surface cage is made of mild steel and built in accordance with specifications provided by Coded Welders and Registered Engineers. It is 2.3m high and 1.3m in width, with a porthole of 250mm for easy photography.

It is a two-man cage with a lid at the top and 300mm freeboard. The freeboard allows you to surface and communicate with the Dive Master on the boat, without having to open the safety lid.

We have foot straps at the bottom of the cage, assisting you to stay below in case of a buoyancy problem. Diving cylinder is strapped on the inside wall of the cage. Once in position, the cage drifts 2 to 3m away from the boat, secured to the boat with nylon ropes, top and bottom.

Cages have been designed for the safety of the diver as well as the animal. There are no sharp edges on the cage, which may cause injury to a feeding shark. Our cages are replaced annually and regularly inspected by authorities.

SHARK CAGE DIVING:

Getting into the cage with the sharks around, is truly the most breath-taking experience you will ever live to remember. When feeding actively around the boat, the sharks may occasionally brush their tail against the cage, but NEVER attack the cage. They are very curious though and often come close-up to the cage, taking a closer look at the diver. A personal, eye-to-eye encounter with this awesome animal, is guaranteed to get the adrenaline going!

Diving takes place on a rotational basis, with two divers down at a time. Time spent in the cage depends on weather/water conditions, shark activity and eagerness of each diver, but could be up-to half an hour at a time. We rarely have more than 6 divers on board at a time, ensuring maximum diving time. As we spend an average of 5 hrs at sea, it is possible to do more than one dive per day, on a good diving day.

As a professional organization, with many years of accident free diving behind us, only experienced scuba divers (with any basic scuba diving qualification), would be allowed entry to the cage. Even though this is a simple and shallow dive, you are in the company of a wild animal and will be making use of scuba equipment. You therefore need to feel comfortable with at least one of these! Should you not be all that experienced and feel somewhat nervous, our Dive Master will accompany you down in the cage, upon request.

Enquire about the 3 hr basic scuba diving courses we offer, which will teach you how to be confident and relaxed when taking the plunge down below. Diving courses are offered in Cape Town and have to be taken at least a day prior to the tour date. Courses start at 09h00 and the cost is approx. R 580 p/p.

WHITE SHARK VIEWING:

To enjoy this tour, you DO NOT have to dive. Viewing from the boat is equally spectacular, as the sharks come very close to the side of the vessel.

Sharks are surface feeders by nature, ensuring spectacular surface action, which often takes place “too close for comfort”! Surface viewers therefore take the pound seat on our specially designed observation platform, with camera’s close at hand. From the safety of the boat, you are able to photograph your friend/s in the cage and at the same time follow the sharks as they move around the boat and cage. Be careful not to miss out on good photographs. Breaching often takes place in the high season and if you are not 100% ready, you may miss out on a good picture.

SAFETY

Upon arrival at the restaurant, a safety briefing is conducted by the tour guide. After breakfast we move down to the harbour and once on-board, a demonstration is given on how to effectively use your life vest.

The location of all safety and emergency equipment is pointed out to passengers. An emergency flow chart (step-by-step emergency guide) is situated inside the cabin, and clearly visible to all passengers.

All our facilities, ie vessel, cage, safety and medical equipment, are inspected by authorities on a regular basis. This ensures that all our safety equipment is always current. Our vessel has state of the art navigation equipment and our medical equipment includes oxygen and fluid replacement. We work in close association with Western Cape Paramedic Services, providing a 24 hour helicopter rescue and ambulance service.

Our crew are medically qualified to deal with any emergency and have a Level II and Level III First Aid Certificates. Our Medics regularly work with the Western Cape Paramedic Services on motor accident scenes, thus staying current with the latest methods of treatment. Our dive masters both have PADI professional liability cover.

TOURS & RATES

TOUR PACKAGES OFFERED: (Rates apply to divers and non-divers)

For the very best opportunity to successfully view and dive with the great white's, we highly recommend our multiple day packages of between 2 and 10 days.

Tour options and approximate rates are listed below.

1 Day Tour	R 1250 P/P, P/D (full day tour, inclusive of return transfers)

2 Day Tour	R 2600 P/P (2 days / 1 night, inclusive of return transfers)

3 Day Tour	R 3950 P/P (3 days / 3 night’s) Self drive

4 Day Tour	R 5300 P/P (4 days / 4 night’s) self drive

5 Day Tour	R 6500 P/P (5 days / 5 night’s) self drive

6 Day Tour	R 7850 P/P (6 days / 6 night’s) self drive

7 Day Tour	R 9200 P/P (7 days / 7 night’s) self drive

8 Day Tour	R 10 200 P/P (8 days / 8 night’s) self drive

9 Day Tour	R 10 950 P/P (9 days / 9 night’s) self drive

10 Day Tour	R 11 950 P/P (10 days / 10 night’s) self drive

Boat Exclusive Charter	R 8750 P/day

Microbus Exclusive Charter	R 1500 p/day

Air Charter Private Air Charter	Beechcraft Bonanza (max 3 pax) - R6950 per return charter Cessna C210 (max 5 pax) - R7950 per return charter Norman Islander (Max 9 pax) - R11950 per return charter. Don't have much time on your hands? We have the perfect solution! Take a scenic flight to Gansbaai, via the coastline and we will get you to your shark-diving destination from Cape Town, within 45 minutes (driving time is 2 hrs.) NB !!! (This cost excludes the shark diving tour)

Shark Dive Training (Scuba Course)	R 500 p/p (3hr dive training, includes return transfers from Cape Town, all diving gear, 5mm wetsuits, light lunch and drinks). This is the minimum qualification required, before any person can dive in the cage. Should you already have a scuba diving certification of any sort, this would acceptable to dive in the cage.

Accommodation Option A	Highly recommended and included in the above packages rates. Single supplement R 100 p/day

Accommodation Option B	Very upmarket B+B, overlooking an unspoiled traditional fishing harbour. Watch the waves breaking on the rocks from your own private veranda, with extensive sea views across the bay to Hermanus and Cape Point. Facilities include A' la Carte Restaurant, fully licensed bar, Bureau de Change, fax facilities and plenty more. (additional R 350 p.p per night applicable). Single supplement R 200 p/day

General Information	Best season, booking procedures and what to bring.

SELF DRIVE PACKAGES:

As there is no public transportation available in Gansbaai, self drive packages are recommended whenever you intend to overnight in Gansbaai. This will also allow you more flexibility and freedom to explore nearby places of interest along this beautiful coastline, at your own leisure (in between the shark tours). You will also be assured of easy transportation between your guest house, various restaurants, grocery stores, the harbour etc. We therefore strongly advise that you hire a car upon arrival at Cape Town International airport, where there is a 24hr car rental service available. Detailed directions will be supplied to you prior to your departure, ensuring that you know exactly how to get to your destination from the airport.

TRANSFER OPTION:

We appreciate the fact that you are coming to a foreign country and may not be comfortable with a self-drive option. We thereby offer a transfer option on the above packages, at the following approximate cost:

3 day tour – R400
4 day tour – R500
5 day tour – R600
6 day tour – R700
7 day tour – R800
8 day tour – R900
9 day tour – R1000
10 day tour – R1100

BEST SEASON

Our tours run each and every day of the year, as Dyer Island is a good place to see the sharks all year round. The absolute best season is probably in our winter months, when sharks are particularly active in their feeding pattern. The following guideline is based on tours we have done over the past 8 years and months may overlap slightly.

HIGH SEASON :           APRIL to OCTOBER      (80 – 99% success rate)
INTERM. SEASON:       NOV. to JAN.                (70 – 90% success rate)
LOW SEASON :            FEB and MARCH:         (50 – 60% success rate)

WHAT TO BRING :

Towel, warm weather proof clothing, sunscreen and hat, camera and binoculars, sea-sick tablets and dive card.

Unfortunately we cannot guarantee the sharks (as can no one), because they are wild animals and it is the open ocean, but I can give you an idea of what the chances will be of encountering sharks during the year.

During April - October (our winter season) the chances of encountering sharks are between 80 and 99%. This is because of the warmer water in winter, which is between 16 and 21 degrees Celsius, and also the fact that there is not much for the sharks to eat in the water.

The rest of the year is our summer months and then the chances of encountering sharks are between 60 and 70%. The water is colder (8 - 11 degrees celsius) and this makes the sharks less active, because they are cold-blooded animals. However, they stay in the area, because in summer the big game fish like tuna, yellowtail, etc. comes back into our waters and also the Cape Fur Seals have their pupping season. Game fish and seals are part of the Great White's staple diet.

We have 40 000 Cape Fur Seals on Geyser Rock, the smaller island next to Dyer Island.

This is why Dyer Island has been world-renowned for it's visits by the Great White for the past 10 years and it is currently the best spot in the world to see Great Whites regularly.

Please bear in mind that Great White sharks are indeed surface feeders, and the best activity really takes place on the surface. Our shark handlers are specially trained to bring the sharks close to the boat in a way where they expose themselves right next to the boat (head and jaws visible close by), so it is by no means to be enjoyed by divers only.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SPOT ON THIS GREAT ADVENTURE...