From Morrungulo to Vilanculos: Dive Sites

Baixo Sylvia Reef, Morrungulo.
Available From:	Morrungulo Lodge and Sylvia Shoal Lodge.
Comments:	This reef runs parallel to the beach in a north easterly direction and is 14.8km long. A very active and pristine reef.
Distance From Launch:	6.5km
Depth Range:	8m to 25m.
Current:	Not a concern on the inside, but can be strong on the outer part of the reef.
Experience Level:	Dependant on area to be visited. Can be from Open Water and up.
Topography:	Fossilised sand stone bed with gullies and small drop offs.
Marine Life:	99% of all the Indian Ocean reef fish of Southern Africa can be seen here.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll back.

Caves and Overhangs, Morrungulo.
Available From:	Morrungulo Lodge and Sylvia Shoal Lodge.
Comments:	A close inshore dive.
Distance From Launch:	3km approx.
Depth Range:	5m to 12m.
Current:	Not a concern.
Experience Level:	Beginner and up!
Topography:	Rocky islands with caves up to 20m long with sandy passages.
Marine Life:	All the main varieities of reef fish can be found here plius your occassional Turtle.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll back.

Jake's Crack, Morrungulo.
Available From:	Morrungulo Lodge.
Comments:	This reef is part of the continental shelf so you can expect some dramatic vistas.
Distance From Launch:	18km.
Depth Range:	32m max.
Current:	Usually gentle but can get strong. Get advice from the local dive centres.
Experience Level:	Advanced
Topography:	Shelves of rock with some gullies and canyons.
Marine Life:	Grey Reef Shark, White Tip Reef Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Guitar Shark, Leopard Shark. A very active dive.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll back.

New Year's Reef, Morrungulo.
Available From:	Morrungulo Lodge and Sylvia Shoal Lodge.
Comments:	This Reef is 8.5km long and runs parallel with the beach in a south easterly direction.
Distance From Launch:	5km.
Depth Range:	10m to 24m.
Current:	Gentle north to south, can swing 180 deg's at times.
Experience Level:	Open Water and up.
Topography:	Same as Sylvia Shoal.
Marine Life:	Same as Sylvia Shoal.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll back.

King Deep, Morrungulo.
Available From:	Morrungulo Lodge.
Comments:	On the continental shelf.
Distance From Launch:	16km.
Depth Range:	40m-45m max.
Current:	Usually gentle but can get strong.
Experience Level:	Beginner and up!
Topography:	Continental shelf reef so expect some dramatic sights. Usually shelves, rocky outcrops and gullies.
Marine Life:	Hammerhead Sharks. Huge Potato and Brindle Bass. Very active.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll back from R.I.B.

2 Mile Reef (off Bazaruto and Benguerra Island), Vilanculos.
Available From:	All Operators.
Comments:	Excellent coral structures abundant with all your tropical marine life. Vis. can be anything from 10m to 30m; all depends on what winds are blowing at the time.
Distance From Launch:	One hour. A stop over on Benguerra or Bazaruto islands breaks the trip and gives you a chance to stretch your legs.
Depth Range:	8m to 22m Avg.: 15m.
Current:	Current normal slight north to south.
Experience Level:	Open Water.
Topography:	Rock cavities and walls.
Marine Life:	manta rays, big game fish, turtles, whale sharks, the list goes on.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll Back from RIB.

Magaruque Express, Vilanculos.
Available From:	All Operators.
Comments:	More of a rock reef right off the island, known for the express because of the tide movement, you just fly along, can be exhilarating. Nice dive to do if you have not dived for a while, conditions are always flat, no hectic waves. Visibility 5m to 10m, being on the inside of the island, vis. is never in the thirties. Snorkelling there is also excellent.
Distance From Launch:	Boat Trip is 25 to 30min.
Depth Range:	8m to 12m. Avg.: 10m.
Current:	Current can be strong, but area well protected.
Experience Level:	Open Water.
Topography:	Rock cavities and walls.
Marine Life:	Full of reef fish and home to some very large brindle bass, +/- 200kg fellows.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll Back from RIB.

Canyon Deep and Marlin Pinnacles, Vilanculos.
Available From:	All Operators.
Comments:	You want to see big stuff; this is the spot to see thousands of King Fish and Barracuda. A hectic dive but, Alan of Pelago Adventura says, 'he's never had any disappointed clients', he even reports having,'a Humpback Whale stick around us for half our dive'. These pinnacles come up from deep water and are often visited by big pelagics, Marlin are sighted on Marlin Pinnacles which is mind blowing stuff. Currents can sometimes push quite hard. The pinnacles are usually marked with a marker buoy first and then if necessary you will have to pull yourself down onto the reef. Visibility can be anything between 10m to 40m.
Distance From Launch:	Approx 50min, 30min to outside islands where you'll normally kit up.
Depth Range:	Canyon Deep: 26m to 33m. Marlin Pinnacles: 25m to 31m.
Current:	Current can be strong, expect a full on dive when it is pumping.
Experience Level:	Not for novices. Advanced with plenty of drift experience.
Topography:	Rock cavities and pinnacles.
Marine Life:	King Fish and Barracuda, loads of Potato Bass littered all over the place, Manta cleaning station, just millions of fish and colours, huge outcrops of Green Tree Coral, Sharks come and go as well.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll Back from RIB.

Baluma Reef, Vilanculos.
Available From:	All Operators.
Comments:	A very extensive reef, with lots of different little dive sites. Inshore of the above two reefs. A relaxing dive with lots of life and reef has nice broken sand patches in between. A nice combination dive to do after a deep one.
Distance From Launch:	Boat trip approx 40min.
Depth Range:	4m to 16m.
Current:	Slight currents.
Experience Level:	Open Water.
Topography:	Reef and sand patches.
Marine Life:	Areas with lots of Rays and Turtles, Game fish sightings occur at the back of this reef.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll Back from RIB.

Caves, Amphitheatre (aka Fish Bowl), Pot Holes/Camel, San Sebastian.
Available From:	Archipelago Sun.
Comments:	Excellent reef structure in this area, caves, overhangs, walls etc. big Game Fish, reefies Turtles. Current can push here as well. Vis. 10m to 40m. No disappointed clients from these reefs.
Distance From Launch:	Boat trip approx. 40min to outside Islands, which are off Linene. Then approx 15 to 20min to the different dive sites around this area.
Depth Range:	15m to 30m.
Current:	Slight currents.
Experience Level:	Open Water.
Topography:	Reef and sand patches.
Marine Life:	Areas with lots of Rays and Turtles, Game Fish sightings occur at the back of this reef.
Type of Water Entrance:	Roll back from RIB.

N.B.: Temperature of water ranges from 28' Celsius in summer and gets down to 22' Celsius in winter. Alan of Pelago Adventura made this following comment: "These are not just dive trips. You go out there with two cylinders and spend the day going between different Islands, after the first dive you come back and chill on a deserted beach for a few hours. Awesome experiences, with Whales, Dolphins, and if lucky Dugongs!"

In Memory of: Alan Donlald of Pelago Adventura who passed away on the 6th of October 2005, doing what he loved the most practising the art of freediving and spearfishing. We wish to thank Alan for his contribution to this page and we offer our condolences to his family and friends. His dream will live on in Pelago Adventura.