Sodwana Bay is South Africa's premier scuba-diving destination and one of the top stops on the Route22 Elephant Coast route. It protects the southernmost coral reefs on Earth, inside the iSimangaliso marine reserve, drawing divers from around the world to reefs teeming with tropical fish, turtles, rays and — in summer — whale sharks.
Scuba diving the reefs
Sodwana's dive sites are named for their distance from the launch: Two-Mile, Five-Mile, Seven-Mile and Nine-Mile Reef. Two-Mile Reef is the busiest and best for beginners and snorkellers, while the deeper reefs reward experienced divers with pristine coral, ragged-tooth sharks and the chance of whale sharks and manta rays. Several dive schools offer PADI courses from Open Water up.
Snorkelling, fishing & beach time
Non-divers aren't left out — there's excellent snorkelling on the shallow reef, launch-based deep-sea fishing, and a broad swimming beach. Turtle tours to watch nesting loggerheads and leatherbacks run on summer nights.
Accommodation in Sodwana Bay
Stay options run from the national-park campsite and self-catering chalets to dive lodges and guesthouses in nearby Mbazwana. Most dive packages bundle accommodation with launches — browse the Route22 directory to compare dive operators and stays.
Best time to dive
Diving is good all year. Water is warmest and visibility often best from around March to June; whale sharks and manta rays are more common in the warmer summer months, while ragged-tooth sharks aggregate in winter.
Planning a visit to Sodwana Bay?
Find lodges, camps, tours and activities near Sodwana Bay in the Route22 directory — or list your own business on the route.