Dive Trips to Sodwana Bay

DIVE
SODWANA BAY
WITH REEFCOMBER TOURS

Updated June 2004

The most southerly coral reef in Africa, Sodwana is exposed to exceptionally rough seas at times, but the marine life is special, with new species of fish, nudibranchs and invertebrate seemingly being discovered all the time. The reefs consist mostly of soft coral, stunted but colourful, and impressive hard-coral growth, especially where the reef has been killed off and regenerated. With no rivers nearby, visibility is very good.

For many years synonymous with game fishing, the discovery of rich reefs has made Sodwana Bay a magnet for divers. Go at the weekend and you'll have to share this paradise with thousands of South Africans, so visit during the week while they're working!

Sodwana Bay is situated in the northern reaches of the province. Sodwana, meaning "little one on its own " in Zulu, is easily accessible, only four hours by car from Durban. The reefs at Sodwana are named after their distance from the launch site, starting from 2 Mile going up to 9 Mile. Perhaps the most scenic reef is7 Mile which on a good day can compare with the best in the world. Over 1200 species of fish have been identified at Sodwana Bay.
Diving apart, a drive to nearby Lake Sibaya, the largest natural freshwater lake in South Africa, is popular, with a good chance of seeing hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles. Phinda, Mkuze and Hluhluwe game reserves are within easy reach.

Diving :

The coastline from Cape Vidal to the Mozambique border is a marine reserve. Sodwana falls under the protection of the Natal Parks Board, which offers dive concessions to three operators. Safe launches can be made only from Jesser Point, which can get very congested.
Congestion on the reefs is also monitored. Nine Mile Reef, noted for its soft coral growths, is semi-protected, with strict limits on diver numbers.

The waters in and around Sodwana Bay are host to a wide variety of Indo-Pacific marine life. Colourful reef fishes, sharks, rays, pelagic game fishes, 95 identified species of beautiful hard and soft corals, sponges and tons of other incredible invertebrates, everything any diver could want. Sodwana is diveable all year round with the best conditions being experienced during the warm summer months from November to May.

October through February is Whale shark season, and these peaceful giants of the ocean are often seen (but not touched) by lucky divers and snorkellers.
During the months of October to December, Ragged-tooth Sharks are often found in large numbers off Jesser Point, where the females come to gestate whilst pregnant. You will typically find a number of females to one male shark. During this gestation period, these fearsome looking creatures don't feed, and so as long as we follow strict guidelines to avoid disturbing them, it is safe to dive in amongst them. It is quite an experience.
Other common sightings include honeycomb and Guinea fowl moray eels, many species of butterfly fishes, blue spotted ribbon tail rays, trigger fishes, anemone fish and there's always the chance of finding the more elusive frog fish, or paper fish.

Much of Sodwana’s diving is focused on four distinct regions, namely 2 mile, 5 mile, 7 mile and 9 mile, named for their distance from the lighthouse on Jesser Point (see bottom of the page for details on each dive area). Average visibility in the area is 15 to 20 meters, with reports of up to 40 meters. Water temperature ranges between 29ºC in mid summer (Dec/Jan) to approximately 19ºC in mid winter (Jun/Jul) and diving is possible all year round. Temperatures remain warm throughout the winter and although summer is the rainy season we have no rivers to affect the visibility.

Dive Sites :

2 Mile
The most popular of the dive sites, 2 Mile is a large reef, measuring just short of 2 Km long, and approximately 900m wide. Depths vary between 9m(Pinnacles) & 38+m (Deep Sponge). There are many dive sites scattered within the main body of 2 Mile, and they average out at about 14m-16m. Due to its size, 2 Mile has something for everyone, from massive beds of diverse corals, rocky overhangs & caves, to a massive amount of fishes and weird & wonderful invertebrates. Anton's on 2 Mile Reef are rocky pinnacles crammed with colourful corals and large shoals of big-eye and goatfish, butterfly angelfish and Moorish idols, with honeycomb morays, grouper and potato bass also in attendance.

5 Mile
A deeper reef, this site is recommended for Advanced divers. This reef has an astounding coral diversity, and is home to many of the smaller, shyer fish who like to live within the corals. Your average depth will be approximately 21 m, and a max of about 24m. The most popular spot on the reef is 'The Pothole' which offers the chance of the rare starry moray, a red anemone and other amazing life. Less busy but when I visited produced more shoaling fish, morays, lionfish and anemonefish. We were also joined by a pod of dolphins, audible for much of the dive but visible only at the end when they swam past.

7 Mile
A favourite among advanced divers, 7 Mile is also a deeper reef, which boasts a pseudo wall dive experience. The top of the reef lies in approximately 15m with a distinct drop-off down to 24m on the sand. This inside edge is relatively sheltered from the open ocean and so supports a huge diversity of fish and invertebrate life. Definitely a must

9 Mile
9 Mile doesn't get dived very often, and so is relatively untouched by divers. The big draw card on 9 Mile is the Green Coral Tree, a large outcrop of Green Tree Coral, which supports much fish life. The maximum depth on 9 Mile is 23m

Packages : Own arrangements must be made to get to Sodwana Bay.

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CORAL DIVERS: Updated June 2004, Valid till 02/01/05

Instant Info about Coral Divers: click on the links to access the relevant information

Tented Accommodation ... Rates
Standard Cabin ... Rates
Standard Cabin with bathroom ... Rates
Ensuite Cabin ... Rates

KZN Fees
Children
High Season Dates 2004

Accommodation is scattered around a large communal area, where everyone gathers after the days diving. Enjoy a couple of drinks and snacks (burgers, toasted sandwiches, etc.) from the well stocked bar, while soaking up the suns rays around the pool. Enjoy listening to diving tales from freshly qualified Open Water divers, and seasoned veterans.
All guests receive a FREE Beach Shuttle service.
Facilities include: Bar, Pool, TV (DSTV) and full Internet access.

TENTS: Dome-shaped 2-man tents with 2 mattresses under roofing and raised floor. Bring your own linen.

TENT : per person sharing in ZAR LOW SEASON HIGH SEASON

3 Nights / 5 Dives R 920 R 1007

Per Night extra R 90 R 99

Mid-week (Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed) R 45 -

Per Dive extra (2-mile reef) R 150 R 165

Catering per night R 100 R 110

Non – Diver per night R 90 R 99

STANDARD HUTS: (with optional private bathroom).
These huts are supplied with linen, serviced daily, 2 single beds with mosquito nets & verandah.
You have the option of your own bathroom with toilet and open air hot water shower.

STANDARD HUT : per person sharing in ZAR LOW SEASON HIGH SEASON

3 Nights / 5 Dives R 1100 R 1205

Per Night extra R 150 R 165

Per Dive extra (2-mile reef) R 150 R 165

Catering per night R 100 R 110

Non – Diver per night R 150 R 165

For Standard Hut With Private Bathroom, … add … R 33 pps per night to this!

ENSUITE HUTS:
Accommodation for the discerning diver. These beautiful new huts are substantially larger, serviced daily, with double or single beds, mosquito nets, shelves for your clothes and a beautiful open-air bathroom

ENSUITE HUT : per person sharing in ZAR LOW SEASON HIGH SEASON

3 Nights / 5 Dives R 1400 R 1535

Per Night extra R 250 R 275

Per Dive extra (2-mile reef) R 150 R 165

Catering per night R 100 R 110

Non – Diver per night R 250 R 275

KZN FEES:
Daily Park Fee = R 40 pp per night
Community Levy = R 5 pp
Gate Entry = R 20 pp

CHILDREN: Under 12, normally = 50%

HIGH SEASON DATES – 2004
6 August to 9 August
23 September to 26 September
16 December to 2 January 2005

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SODWANA BAY LODGE: Updated June 2004, Valid till 31/10/05

Rustic wood-and-thatch chalets in this beautiful, unspoilt area will provide you with an ideal base from which to visit the nearby game reserves, nature trails and beaches. For those whose taste tends towards the sea, the Resort's fully rigged dive boat enables qualified divers to explore the off-shore reefs (divers and diving course are offered). Swap tales afterwards in the cosy pub and restaurants.

SPECIAL OFFER:

5 dives, 3 nights accommodation with ensuite toilet/shower,
breakfast & dinner, excludes transport
from R1 750 pp sh

All prices include accommodation in a thatched lodge, dinner and breakfast, en suite shower and toilet facilities, Hotel catered dive packages - 2 mile Reef.

Surcharges to various reefs @ R10 pp 5 mile, R25 pp 7 mile, R35 pp 9 mile
EQUIPMENT NOT INCLUDED
Divers MUST produce dive qualification at the Scuba Centre
TOMSA Levy of 1% of accommodation NOT INCLUDED
Gate Levy of R15 per vehicle for Hotel Guests NOT INCLUDED
No refund on un-used services – dives / meals and beach entrance tickets.

LOW SEASON DATES Sodwana Bay Lodge:

04 May-24 Jun 04     22 Jul-05 Aug 04     10 Aug-21 Sep 04     06 Oct-31 Oct 04

01 Nov–05 Dec 04    19 Jan-20 Mar 05     04 Apr-26 Apr 05     03 May-23 Jun 05

19 Jul-21 Sep 05      04 Oct-31 Oct 05

HIGH SEASON DATES Sodwana Bay Lodge:

25 Jun-21 Jul 04     06 Aug-09 Aug 04    22 Sep-05 Oct 04     06 Dec-18 Jan 05

21 Mar-03 Apr 05    27 Apr-02 May 05     24 Jun-18 Jul 05      22 Sep-03 Oct 05

LOW SEASON PACKAGES Sodwana Bay Lodge: (See above Dates)

per person sharing until 31 Oct 2004 1 Nov 04-31 Oct 05

2 nights 3 dives:

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 1164
R 990
R 1296 R 1222
R 1041
R 1360

3 nights 5 dives:

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 1800
R 1511
R 1995 R 1887
R 1587
R 2094

4 nights 4 dives

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 2088
R 1858
R 2348 R 2196
R 1954
R 2468

4 nights 6 dives

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 2320
R 1974
R 2580 R 2436
R 2074
R 2706

5 nights 7 dives

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 2840
R 2435
R 3160 R 2980
R 2560
R 3320

HIGH SEASON PACKAGES Sodwana Bay Lodge: (See above Dates)

per person sharing until 31 Oct 2004 1 Nov 04-31 Oct 05

2 nights 3 dives

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 1284
R 1110
R 1536 R 1342
R 1161
R 1600

3 nights 5 dives

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 1980
R 1691
R 2355 R 2067
R 1767
R 2454

4 nights 4 dives

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 2328
R 2098
R 2828 R 2436
R 2194
R 2948

4 nights 6 dives

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 2560
R 2214
R 3060 R 2676
R 2314
R 3188

5 nights 7 dives

Divers sharing
Diver & non-diver sharing
Single diver
R 3140
R 2735
R 3760 R 3280
R 2860
R 3920