South Africa & Mozambique – diving & safari
A challenging diving vacation full of “big stuff”? Then this trip will be right for you. The trip goes to 2 countries: South Africa as Mozambique. You start with 5 days diving in Aliwal Shoal (famous for its many shark species), then 5 days diving in Ponta do Ouro and you finish with a safari in Hluhluwe park. The best of underwater and above!
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Diving with sharks ánd on safari | South Africa & Mozambique
Jacques Cousteau named Aliwal Shoal one of his favorite places. This is not very surprising because you will find a vibrant underwater world full of sharks, colorful coral and tropical fish. These are special dives with a chance of seeing many different sharks and other big stuff. Staying at Blue Ocean Resort also means optimal relaxation: the diving school is on the same property and there is a pool and restaurant.
You will then travel on to Mozambique, where the dive sites around Ponta do Oura will once again challenge you with rugged landscapes and an impressive shark population. This trip is perfect for the adventurous diver who loves variety and challenge underwater.
As icing on the cake, you will go on safari in the famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. You will stay overnight in a village where hippos walk peacefully along the roads – a special experience that really brings African wildlife to life. So you combine the thrill of shark diving with the magic of an unforgettable safari.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to South Africa
Aliwal Shoal is a great year-round diving destination thanks to the constant presence of sharks. You can see oceanic (belagic) blacktip sharks, dolphins and turtles year-round. Furthermore, it’s good to know what else to expect by season:
- May to November: During these months, you can enjoy the sight of humpback whales. Moreover, this is the time when the Ragged Tooth Sharks use Aliwal Shoal as their mating ground.
- June to November: This is the best time to see Ragged Tooth Sharks, as Aliwal Shoal is their favorite place to mate.
- October to March: Hammerhead Sharks are often seen during this period.
- December to May: These months are ideal for spotting White Tip Reef Sharks, Manta Rays, Tiger Sharks and Bull (Zambezi) Sharks.
Would you like to combine this trip with the Sardine Run? This is only possible in June and July.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in South Africa
Between November and May, 5mm is sufficient for most divers. For the other months, a 7mm can even be considered.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 | The journey to Durban
The diving vacation begins with a flight to Durban, in eastern South Africa. You will probably have a short stopover in the Middle East. Total travel time will be between 13 and 17 hours. On day 2, you will land at Durban airport.
A transfer will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to the Blue Ocean Dive Resort in Umkomaas, about 80 kilometers south at the airport and close to the coast. The drive takes about 1 hour.
After checking into the resort, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing: you can take a walk on the beach, relax by the pool and prepare for the dives of the next few days.
Day 3 to 8 | Diving at Aliwal Shoal
For the next 5 days, you will dive on the Aliwal Shoal Reef System. It’s a special place to dive with a chance of seeing lots of “big stuff”: oceanic blacktip sharks, sand tiger sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, devil rays, turtles, dolphins and humpback whales. You will make boat dives with a maximum of 8 divers per boat.
Good to realize is that the dives on Aliwal Shoal are a bit more challenging. It is recommended to take this trip if you have at least 30 logged dives and an Advanced Open Water certification.
The dive sites of Aliwal Shoal are nothing short of spectacular. It is an impressive reef lies just offshore and is about 3 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide. You can expect large pelagic species, but macro life can also be found here. And if that is not enough, there are also 2 wrecks in the area: the MV Produce at 32 meters depth and the Nebo at 24 meters depth.
The southern reefs are also very special. These are a bit deeper, more anvanced and only accessible with good weather conditions. There is not much diving in these places and they are enormously rich in life.
And the highlight of this place? Sharks! Aliwal Shoal is known for its impressive shark populations. Not for nothing is the reef located in the heart of a marine protected zone. There are also 2 baited dives on the program with oceanic blacktip sharks and sand tiger sharks. During these dives the sharks are not fed, but lower a drum, a barrel with holes, into the water to about 5m deep. Inside this barrel are remains of fish, usually sardines. The smell of these fish remains smells super good to the sharks, and that’s what attracts them. There is also no use of cages, during these dives you are just in the water as always.
Day 9 | Transfer to Ponta do Ouro in Mozambique
After breakfast, board the transfer and depart for Ponta do Ouro in Mozambique. This is a drive of about 6 hours. Ponta do Ouro is located in the south of Mozambique and is near the border with South Africa.
You check into your new hotel Planet Scuba Guest House. It is a charming and small-scale accommodation just a 2-minute walk from the beach. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing at the beach or exploring the lively coastal town itself. There are a host of cozy bars and restaurants nearby.
Day 10 to 14 | Diving at Ponta do Ouro
For the next 5 days you will dive with Gozo Azul, the diving school is just a 5-minute walk from the accommodation is. The dives will be made from the boat on the dive sites around the coastal town. It will be 8 reef dives and 2 pinnacle shark dives.
The dive sites around Ponta do Ouro range in depth from 8 to 40 meters and has a rich biodiversity. There are colorful coral reefs, schooling tropical fish and also several shark species. Here you also have a chance of encountering the blacktip reef shark, sand tiger shark and bull shark.
For experienced divers, the deeper reefs are a perfect place to spot larger predatory fish, including hammerhead sharks that hunt in schools. In the right seasons, tiger sharks and even whitetip sharks are also observed on the open sea.
Day 15 | Transfer to St. Petersburg. Lucia
After a final breakfast in Mozambique, you will return to South Africa today. You will go to St. Lucia , a drive of about 3.5 hours. This is the starting point of your safari. You check in here at At Heritage House for 2 nights.
In addition, St. Lucia itself is a special place. Here, humans and animals literally live side by side. The most iconic example? The hippos that walk into the village at night from the nearby river in search of grass to graze.
During the day, you’ll spot them on a boat ride on the St. Lucia River, where they’ll be bobbing in groups or greeting each other noisily. But once the sun goes down, it’s not unusual to see one scurrying past your guesthouse. St. Consequently, St. Lucia is one of the few places in the world where this is still done so naturally.
Day 16 | Safari in Hluhuwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
After an early breakfast at the cozy Heritage house, you will be picked up for a safari in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game reserve. This is about a 45-minute drive. You will travel in an open 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced guide who will tell you all about the park, the animals and the environment.
Upon arrival at Africa’s oldest game reserve, the adventure begins: rolling hills, open savannas and dense bush provide the backdrop for your search for the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Cheetahs, giraffes, nyalas and the rare African wild dog are also regularly spotted here.
Halfway through the day there is a traditional bush lunch at a safe picnic spot with beautiful views. The perfect time to relax again and enjoy the sounds of nature around you.
In the afternoon you will continue driving through the park, looking for animals that will become more active later in the day. Your guide will make sure you get the most out of the safari and has an eye for both large and small game.
By late afternoon you will return to St. Lucia for a final night in South Africa.
Day 17 & 18 | Return trip
After a final breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to say goodbye to Africa. With your head still full of sharks, reef diving and clear blue water, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight. Hopefully you look back on a unique diving trip full of impressions that will linger long after.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from the underwater world?
Diving with sharks
South Africa is one of the best places in the world to see sharks up close. During this trip you may encounter several species: tiger sharks, sand tiger sharks at Cathedral, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, and sometimes hammerhead or bull sharks. Each site has its own character and conditions, so no two shark dives are the same. The combination of variety, visibility and the high probability of encounters makes South Africa a true paradise for shark divers.
Spectacular reef dives
The dive sites at Ponta do Ouro are surprisingly diverse: from shallow reefs full of macro life to deep drop-offs with large schools of fish. You often dive here in clear, warm water with little current – perfect for taking it all in. Coral gardens, cleaning stations, morays, turtles, reef sharks and the occasional manta ray: there’s always something to see. The short boat rides from the beach also make it a super-accessible dive destination.
Safari in Hluhluwe
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is one of the best places in South Africa to spot game. The varied landscape makes every safari different: open plains, dense bush and rolling hills alternate. You have a good chance of seeing the Big Five here, as well as giraffes, nyalas, cheetahs and the rare African wild dog. And in St. Lucia, the day ends in a special way: hippos simply walk the streets of the village at night.
The accommodations
The stay and surroundings
Blue Ocean Dive Resort
Your first stay is at the Blue Ocean Dive Resort, the ideal base for any diving enthusiast. The great thing about this resort is that the diving school is located just on the property, so from the moment you wake up you are already in the middle of the diving world. The resort is also close to the ocean and offers fantastic views of both the Indian Ocean and the Umkomaas Golf Course.
At the end of the day, you can go to the resort’s own restaurant and bar, where you can enjoy the view of the sea from your seat. And should you want to relax or just be active, you can go to the pool or the gym.
The best nights here are the braai (BBQ) evenings, where you sit together around the campfire, enjoy a drink, admire fantastic underwater photos and socialize over the day’s dives. Also fun is an evening walk to the local seafood restaurant on the beach, where you can enjoy a delicious Prawn or seafood dinner.
The Blue Ocean Dive Resort features 20 spacious, recently renovated rooms. Whether you choose a double room, family room, or single room, you are guaranteed a comfortable stay.
Planet Scuba Guest House
In Mozambique, stay at Planet Scuba. It is a charming and small-scale accommodation right in the heart of the town of Ponta do Ouro and just a 2-minute walk from the beach.
The guesthouse has 12 rooms, all of which have air conditioning, private bathrooms and daily cleaning. There is also a swimming pool.
Before you dive, breakfast is waiting for you in the restaurant overlooking the sea. There are also options for dinner at the restaurant and a daily Happy Hour at the bar.
The residence is ideally located for diving enthusiasts: a short walk away is the diving school. There are also plenty of cozy bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Planet Scuba is an excellent choice for those who want to dive, enjoy the beach and experience the authentic character of Ponta do Ouro in a personal and comfortable setting.
At Heritage House
During the safari you will stay at At Heritage House, a small-scale and comfortable bed and breakfast within walking distance of downtown Saint Lucia. The accommodation has 5 well-equipped rooms with air conditioning, wifi and a private bathroom. There is a cozy lounge and a small pool with terrace – ideal for relaxing after a day in nature. A fresh breakfast is waiting for you in the morning.
Saint Lucia is a lively village on the east coast of South Africa, right in the middle of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. You’ll find some good restaurants, stores and cafes, all within walking distance of your stay. And with a little luck you’ll even spot hippos in the streets at night, Saint Lucia is famous for it.
The atmosphere at Heritage House is personal and relaxed. The team is happy to help you start your safari in nearby Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park or with transfers to the airport.
Travel costs
What is included
This diving vacation to South Africa and Mozambique is available from CHF 4.479 per person based on two people in one room. The diving trip can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from CHF 4.479 p.p.
- 8 nights at the Blue Ocean Dive Resort based on full board
- 6 nights at Planet Scuba Guest House on half board basis
- 2 nights at At Heritage House based on bed & breakfast
- 10 dives with Blue Ocean Dive Resort
- 10 dives with Gozo Azul
- 1 day safari in Hluhuwe incl. lunch
- Marine park fees
- Return transfers
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Durban flight from CHF 1.118 p.p.
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- BCD & Breathalyzer CHF 165 p.p.
- Full diving equipment CHF 247 p.p.
Email this diving holiday
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Frequently asked questions about diving at the Blue Ocean Dive Lodge
Diving in the Galapagos Islands general information
At both locations you will make boat dives. Mainly dives or the reef are done, but there are also 2 wrecks in Aliwal Shoal and 2 baited shark dives are scheduled.
It is recommended to be at least Advanced Open Water certified and Nitrox is also recommended.
Most dive sites are up to 30 minutes away by boat.
There are 2 dives at both locations. If you want to make more dives per day, I can discuss this with the diving school. Of course, this always depends on the weather conditions.
No, it is not possible to do night dives here.
Not directly at the resort, but nearby is the “house reef” of Aliwal Shoal. Accessible only by boat.
Yes, in the first location the diving school is on-site, in Ponta do Oura the diving school is a 5-minute walk away.
Diving equipment
The tanks are DIN tanks, but there are inserts to make them INT.
Yes, by request.
Yes, this is free for certified Nitrox divers.
BCD & Respirator are US$ 162 p.p. for this trip and you can extend this with mask, snorkel and fins for a total of US$ 243 p.p.
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Safaris and horseback riding.
Accommodation / Resort
Yes, this is free
Yes, on-site
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