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MOZAMBIQUE

INHAMBANE

Dive Centres

Diversity Scuba
Inhambane * Mozambique

The Team at Diversity Scuba are dedicated to giving first class quality service.  Joanna and Garry are originally from the UK. They spent many years living and working in South East Asia before venturing to Mozambique. Both are active members of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Garry, who is also an experienced boat skipper, is a PADI Master Instructor and Joanna is a PADI Open Water Instructor. Both have been diving for many years and between them they have certified almost 700 divers and have approximately 2000 dives gained from all over the world.  They have a passion for diving that seems to rub off onto everyone that dives with them. They run a very tight operation and are committed to making sure that your diving (and training) is safe, enjoyable and relaxing. Manuel is Diversity Scuba's boat handler and trainee skipper and is the first local Mozambican to attain a PADI Qualification.

Whale Sharks

Whale sharks are mostly summer visitors with the best time of year to see them here being November until March. Whale sharks are gentle creatures, non-aggressive plankton feeders that can reach up to 12m in length with average lengths of 8-9m. During November and March, numbers of whale sharks are high with up to 20 individual sharks being spotted during 30 minute boat journeys. The whale sharks cruise along, at or just below the surface so its best to simply snorkel with them. It is very important not to touch or ride the whale sharks as human touch removes a protective mucus from their skin which can lead them to catch serious infections. During the winter months there are fewer whale sharks in the area but it is still possible to see them on occasions. Very little is known about the lives and behaviour of these sharks.

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales visit the area from as early as June until as late as October. The whales spend the summer months in Antarctic waters feeding on large amounts of krill, then migrate up the east coast of Africa to mate and give birth. After a gestation period of around 12 months, females give birth to one calf which is suckled for another 11 months.  Females then fall pregnant again. The whales often jump fully out of the water (breaching) and slap their tails and fins on the surface which is behaviour associated with mating. While diving, it is possible to hear them 'singing' to one another - a sound that can be heard from up to 2km away!. It is important not to disturb these creatures, especially mothers and calves, so boats are advised to keep a respectable distance of no less than 20m away.

Dolphins 

Dolphins can be seen in Mozambican waters most of the year but June, July and August are very good months for them. There are various species of dolphins in this area including bottlenose dolphins, common and humpback dolphins. Dolphins are rarely seen alone but usually in groups known as pods - sometimes in very large numbers. Female dolphins slap the water with their tails to encourage younger dolphins to keep up with the pod. Dolphins have been seen riding the waves almost in to shore and playing at the bows of diving and fishing boats.

Diversity Scuba is located on Tofo Beach, 20 minutes' drive from Inhambane City, Inhambane Province, on the south east coast of Mozambique. The closest international airports are at Maputo, the capital of Mozambique; Beira, in the north of Mozambique; Harare in Zimbabwe; and Johannesburg in South Africa. There is a small airport in Inhambane City. Connecting flights can be arranged from Johannesburg international airports to Inhambane airport and an airport pickup service can be arranged. If you are intending to drive to Tofo, take the EN1 (the main road through Mozambique) and follow it until you get to the junction just south of Maxixe at Lindela. The road is mostly good condition tarmac although some areas are affected by potholes and in need of some maintenance. Once at the junction, follow the road all the way to Inhambane City. Once through Inhambane, another tarmac road follows the coast all the way to Tofo. All roads are clearly sign-posted. If in difficulty, ask any of the friendly locals and they will direct you to the road to Tofo. A 4 wheel drive vehicle is NOT necessary as the tarmac road runs all the way down to the beach. Buses run daily to Inhambane from Maputo in the south and Beira in the north. Local buses and taxis run several times a day from Inhambane City down to Tofo. Particular caution is advised on the roads connecting the EN1 to Inhambane and Tofo, especially at night, due to a very uneven road surface.