Scuba diving destinations in Africa
Scuba diving offers a unique and thrilling experience for divers of all levels of expertise. With over 20,000 kilometers of coastline and some of the world’s most diverse marine life, Africa has become an increasingly popular destination for scuba divers.
The Red Sea, off the eastern coast of Africa, is renowned for its clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life. Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea are just a few of the countries along the Red Sea that offer excellent diving opportunities, including the famous Ras Mohammed National Park in Egypt and the Sanganeb Marine National Park in Sudan.
In the west, the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean provide a contrasting diving experience. Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa, boasts dramatic underwater landscapes, including volcanic walls and caves. The marine life in Cape Verde is also varied and includes whale sharks, turtles, and numerous species of fish.
South Africa is a popular diving destination with numerous dive sites along its coastline, including the famous Sodwana Bay, Aliwal Shoal, and the Protea Banks. South Africa’s rich marine life includes the great white shark, seals, dolphins, and whales, making it a popular destination for shark cage diving.
Red Sea, Egypt
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations, and for good reason. The warm waters are home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life, including dolphins, sharks, turtles, and thousands of species of fish. The Red Sea is also famous for its crystal-clear visibility and colourful coral reefs.
Places to stay when Scuba Diving at the Red Sea, Scuba diving destinations in Africa
There are several lodges near the Red Sea in Egypt. Some of the popular ones are:
Makadi Bay:
This is a beautiful bay located near Hurghada and is home to many lodges and resorts. Some popular lodges in Makadi Bay include Jaz Makadi Oasis Resort and Jaz Makadi Star & Spa.
Experience world-class service at Stella Beach Resort & Spa, Makadi Bay
Soma Bay:
This is a luxurious resort town located on the Red Sea coast and is home to many high-end lodges and resorts. Some popular lodges in Soma Bay include Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay and Sheraton Soma Bay Resort.
Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay
El Gouna:
This is a beautiful coastal town located near Hurghada and is known for its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. Some popular lodges in El Gouna include Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna and Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna.
Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna
Sharm El Sheikh:
This is a popular tourist destination located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and is known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Some popular lodges in Sharm El Sheikh include Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh and Rixos Premium Seagate.
Rixos Sharm El Sheikh
Marsa Alam:
This is a beautiful coastal town located in the southern part of Egypt and is known for its pristine beaches and coral reefs. Some popular lodges in Marsa Alam include Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort and Brayka Bay Resort.
Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort
Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt –
Ras Mohammed National Park is located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. The park’s waters are teeming with marine life, including schools of colourful fish, rays, and even the occasional whale shark.
Places to stay when Scuba Diving at the Ras Mohammed National Park
There are a number of lodges located near Ras Mohammed National Park in Egypt. Here are some of the best options:
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
Rediscover World-Class Luxury at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Located on a one-kilometre stretch of private beachfront, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt is a luxurious oasis between the desert and the reef with year-round sunshine, sleek modern accommodations and panoramic Red Sea views.
Boasting 5 outdoor pools, 10 al fresco dining experiences, a highly acclaimed spa, fun-filled Kids For All Seasons club and an expertly run PADI dive centre combined with one of the best house reefs in the region and a funicular that transports guests from peak to beach.
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort
Located along with its private beach in the famous area of Sharks Bay, the SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort is surrounded by gardens and offers a variety of facilities, including a spa. Overlooking Tiran Island, the resort is 11 km from Naama Bay. Soho Square is 8 km away.
Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa –
Located off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Aliwal Shoal is a popular spot for divers looking to explore the rich marine life of the Indian Ocean. The area is home to a variety of sharks, including bull sharks and tiger sharks, as well as dolphins, rays, and whales.
Places to stay when Scuba Diving at the Aliwal Shoal
There are several lodges near Aliwal Shoal in South Africa. Here are a few options:
Blue Marlin Hotel by Dream Resorts
The Blue Marlin Hotel is situated on KwaZulu-Natal’s popular South Coast, just 300 metres from the beach. Set in sub-tropical gardens with an outdoor pool, this hotel offers panoramic ocean views.
Blue Marlin Hotel by Dream Resorts
Aliwal Dive Lodge:
This lodge is situated right on the beach and offers easy access to Aliwal Shoal. It features air-conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, and a dive centre on-site.
Aliwal Dive Lodge
The View Boutique Hotel & Spa:
This lodge is located in Amanzimtoti, which is a short drive from Aliwal Shoal. It offers luxury accommodations, a spa, and stunning views of the Indian Ocean.
The View Boutique Hotel & Spa
COCOTREE beach house
COCOtree Beach House is a lovely airy and open Coastal Beach house situated on the Kwazulu-Natal south coast.
With cool breezes, expansive ocean views and breathtaking sunrises, COCOtree is Only a 40min drive from Durban………..that takes you to the upper class coastal village, Clansthal
COCOtree Beach House
Blue Marlin Guesthouse:
This lodge is located in Scottburgh, which is about a 20-minute drive from Aliwal Shoal. It offers comfortable accommodation, a swimming pool, and a restaurant on site.
Mozambique Channel, Mozambique –
The Mozambique Channel is a stretch of water between Mozambique and Madagascar that is home to some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. Divers can explore the vibrant reefs and swim with a variety of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, and turtles.
Places to stay when Scuba Diving at the Mozambique Channel
The Mozambique Channel is a beautiful area of the Indian Ocean with plenty of opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Here are some lodges that you may want to consider:
Anjajavy le Lodge –
This lodge is located on the northwest coast of Madagascar, overlooking the Mozambique Channel. It features private villas, a spa, and a variety of outdoor activities, including snorkelling and whale watching.
Anjajavy le Lodge
Nuarro Lodge –
This eco-friendly lodge is situated on the northern coast of Mozambique, in a remote and unspoiled location. It offers a variety of activities, including scuba diving, snorkelling, and kayaking.
Medjumbe Private Island –
This luxury lodge is located on a private island in the Quirimbas Archipelago, off the coast of northern Mozambique. It features a range of water sports, including snorkelling and diving, as well as a spa and beachfront villas.
Azura Benguerra Island – Hotel Pescador
This award-winning lodge is situated on the southern coast of Mozambique, on the beautiful Benguerra Island. It offers a range of activities, including snorkelling, diving, and dhow cruises, as well as luxurious villas with private pools.
Hotel Pescador
Aqua Blu Sharm:
Sodwana Bay, South Africa –
Sodwana Bay is a protected marine reserve that is home to an incredible array of marine life. The area is famous for its colourful coral reefs and is home to over 1,200 species of fish, as well as dolphins, whales, and sharks.
Places to stay when Scuba Diving at Sodwana Bay
There are many great lodges to stay in at Sodwana Bay, depending on your preferences and budget. Here are a few options to consider:
Coral Divers:
This lodge is located just a few minutes from the beach and offers comfortable rooms and a range of activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling.
Jesser Point Boat Lodge:
If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, Jesser Point Boat Lodge is a great option. The lodge offers private villas with ocean views, as well as a range of activities such as fishing and boating.
Mseni Beach Lodge:
This lodge is located right on the beach and offers a range of accommodation options, from camping sites to self-catering chalets. The lodge also has a swimming pool and a restaurant.
Sodwana Bay Lodge:
This lodge is located within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and offers a range of activities, including bird watching, fishing, and snorkelling. The lodge also has a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool.
SeaXplore Lodge & Dive Center:
If you’re a scuba diving enthusiast, SeaXplore Lodge & Dive Center is a great option. Featuring a garden, barbecue facilities and views of pool, SeaXplore Lodge & Dive Center is situated in Sodwana Bay, 7.5 km from Sodwana Bay National Park. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a year-round outdoor pool
SeaXplore Lodge & Dive Center
Take away
Overall, scuba diving is fun in Africa as it offers scuba divers an incredible range of diving opportunities, from coral reefs to shipwrecks to encounters with sharks and other large marine animals. With a range of different diving conditions, there is something for divers of all levels and interests.
Scuba diving Guided Packages
SCUBA Diving Tour Sodwana
Explore the sub tropical reefs and remote beaches of Sodwana. Rated as one of the top 10 diving destinations in the world, Sodwana is a must do experience for any avid SCUBA diver.
Your hosts for the duration of the tour are Jacques and Amanda who will ensure your tour is perfect. They will take care of the meals, make sure you get to the beach and lead the dives.
Diving in South Africa is a unique experience not to be missed. Some of the flagship fish species at Sodwana include the leatherback turtle, clown fish, bottlenosed dolphin, whaleshark, manta rays and the honeycomed moray eel.
Diving can be done throughout the year and visibility averages between 12m and 30m. The average depth on 2 Mile reef is about 13m. A C-Card is compulsory. One of the highlights is taking a stroll along the deserted beaches to watxch the sun set.
Discover Scuba Diving Sharm El Sheikh
With clear waters offering spectacular visibility and vibrant marine life, the Red Sea is a great place to try scuba diving. Skip the expense of a course and breathe underwater for the first time on this PADI discover scuba diving experience.
You’ll learn some basic scuba skills in a swimming pool then dive among fishes and coral in the actual sea—all in just half a day, and with a maximum of one other traveler.
Breathe underwater and experience zero gravity through scuba diving Get up close and personal with vivid Red Sea coral and tropical fish Includes all essential scuba equipment, from mask and fins to weights Picks up and drops direct to your Sharm el Sheikh hotel, saving time
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