The Ponta do Ouro area of Mozambique offers diving for all levels of diver, with great sandy patches among the reef to start learning to dive all the way through to adrenalin Shark encountering dives. The area is renowned for its beautiful coral, game fish and invertebrates, throw in the Whale sharks, Hammerheads, passing Manta Rays and the friendly Potato Bass to make this a fantastic diving area.

All boat launches are done from the beach into the surf, so be prepared to partake and help out. Most of the dive sites are only a short boat ride away so you can get plenty time diving instead of riding to and from the dive sites, on the boat keep an eye out for the dolphins and whale sharks that cruise the bay.

Day 01:

Arrive King Shaka International Airport – Durban, own arrangements. Flight details to be advised. On arrival at King Shaka International Airport – Durban, you will be met by a representative of Dive The Big 5 for the 430km, 4h30, road transfer to the Kosi Bay Border post between South Africa and Mozambique. After clearing border formalities, you will be met on the Mozambique side of the border by a representative of Dive The Big 5 for the 45 minute road transfer, in a 4x4, to Ponta do Ouro. Please be advised that the border post between South Africa and Mozambique closes at 16h00 every afternoon. If your flight gets into King Shaka International Airport – Durban after 10h00, you will not get to the border in time to get to Ponta do Ouro. Overnight at Kaya Kweru on a bed and breakfast basis.

http://www.kayakweruresort.com/

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Day 02 to day 08:

After breakfast, you will report to Gozo-Azul’s Dive Centre, which is a 5 minute or about a 800 meter walk from Kaya Kweru, to sign the necessary indemnity forms and to kit up for the first of your two scheduled dives on the reef off Ponta, weather permitting.

After signing the indemnity, kitting up, Gozo Azul’s staff load all the dive gear into a trailer, plus the divers, and all head off to the beach. Gozo-Azul’s staff then load the dive gear onto the dive boat, a “Rubber – Duck” or semi-inflatable or RIB, whilst the DM gives the divers a comprehensive “dive brief. The “Duck” (dive boat) accommodates 13 divers max, plus skipper, “top-side man” plus DM. After the dive briefing, everyone then assist in pushing the “Duck” into the surf, and off you go. This is a very tame launch by South African standards, as Ponta is situated in a protected bay. An easy launch.

All dives are fully “guided” dives. When you reach the dive site, (look out for dolphins, Whale Sharks and even whales on your way out to the dive site), you kit up, assisted by the DM, top-side man, and skipper, and once every diver is fully kitted and comfortable…. 1..2..3.. and you do a backward roll into the warm Indian Ocean. Temperatures never drop below 21ºC. Once all the divers have entered the water and are “bobbing” on the surface, with fully inflated BCD’s, and give the skipper the “ok”, they deflate their BCD, and drop to the ocean floor. Once all the divers are on the bottom, and have got their buoyancy right, they again give “the I’m ok” sign to the DM, who is with you on the bottom, and the dive begins, led by the DM with a SMB (Surface Marker Buoy). When the first diver gets low on air, at about 50 bar, they bid farewell to their dive buddy, let the DM know they are at 50 bar, and they ascend up the buoy line, which is still being held by the DM. Their buddy, if still with sufficient  air, joins another group of divers, and the dive continues, until all the divers have ascended. The skipper and top-side man follow the surface marker buoy, and once the divers reach the surface, the divers hand up to the skipper their BCD, tank and regulator, take off their fins, hand these up, and the diver is then assisted into the boat by the skipper, and top-side man. Once all the divers and the DM are safely back on the boat, with the gear safely secured, they head back to Ponta. Again, be on the lookout for dolphins, Whale Sharks and whales on the ride back.

Ponta is blessed with at least 17 popular dive sites, such as Bass City, Texas, Shallow Malongane, Crèche, Kev’s Ledge, Maverick, Wayne’s World, Paradise Ledge, Steps, Checkers, Steve’s Ledge, Doodles, Aquarium or Three Sisters, Pinnacle, Cloud Break, Atlantis and Anchor, and many, many, more unnamed dive sites. See below. Reefs  range in depth from 9 meters to 47 meters, thereby accommodating all levels of sport diver.

After the first dive of the day, you will return to Kaya Kweru for breakfast, and SIT (Surface Interval Time), before launching for the second dive of the day. After the second dive has been completed, usually at about noon, the afternoon is free.

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Day 09:

At a time to be advised, depending on your flight departure time out of King Shaka International Airport – Durban, you will be collected from Kaya Kweru by a representative of Dive The Big 5 for the 45 minute, 4x4 road transfer to the Kosi Bay border post. After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met on the South African side of the border by another representative of Dive The Big 5 for the 4h30 road transfer back to King Shaka International Airport – Durban to connect with your onward flight home. End of services.

Please remember that international flights require that you check-in 2-hours before the scheduled departure time, and domestic flights require that you check-in 1-hour before the scheduled departure time. Please take this into account when booking your return flight home. You may need up to 8 hours, from departing Ponta to check-in at King Shaka International Airport – Durban!

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Cost:

Full refund on the dive in the event of the dive being cancelled due to bad weather.

Should we launch the dive boat for the dive and during the course of the dive the skipper decides to return to shore due to unfavourable sea and weather conditions, there will be no refund.

The skipper’s decision is final and is based purely on diver safety and comfort.

Ponta do Ouro reefs: Water Temperature: 20 – 28 ° C

This reef is famous for its friendly Potato Bass nicknamed 'Bert' there are several other large Bass around the reef but Bert is the only one that will swim with you. On the way down the mid waters are filled with game fish. The five rocks that make up this reef are covered with soft corals where Lionfish (often you will see over a dozen at once) and Sweepers lurk. In the overhangs you will discover Shrimp cleaning stations and Octopus, among the sand you will see Carpet Eels and various members of the Manta family.

This is a large sprawling reef of soft coral in shallow waters, with lots of arches and overhangs to explore, in the centre are some wonderful gullies to explore. There is a large variety of fish to be seen as well as Turtles, Scorpion fish, Rays and Eels. An ideal drift dive.

A long (almost 3 km) reef stretching along the inside of Malongane bay covered with both hard and soft Coral, with large areas of Stag Horn Coral. A perfect place for Juvenile fish including Pickhandle Barracuda cruising along looking for their next meal, while spotted Eagle Rays glide over the sandy patches.

Named because of the large number of juvenile fish that inhabit the area, the reef is a collection of boulders and rocks on a sandy bottom. Rays, Eels, Potato Bass, Crocodile fish, Scorpion fish and Green Job fish are among some of the species seen here.

Being close to shore in shallow waters this is best dived between tide turns.

The only Wall dive in the Ponta area, with a large overhang on the bottom where a Hawksbill turtle is often found napping, A big area of Maze Coral guards the entrance providing good protection for many juvenile fish, often Kingfish will sweep in to attack causing a flurry of activity amongst the young fish. Many species of Nudibranch are found all around the wall. On the top the ledges are covered with hard Coral and are inhabited with Mantis Shrimp, Zebra Eel, Star Fish and more.

At the point of the ledge is a gathering area for fish such as Yellow and Blue Rock-cod.

Consisting of one huge boulder surrounded by scatterings of reef, this is a fascinating dive site. Eels are in abundance, Black Cheeked, Geometric and Honeycombed Morays among them, Pipefish, Nudibranch and Mantis Shrimp among the many creatures you will observe here. Frog Fish and Scorpion Fish also inhabit this reef.

Both the hard and soft Coral in the area is beautiful, with Mushroom, Sponge, Spiral, Lobed and Table top Coral scattered all around.

Covered in Warty Bush Coral and Maze Coral, this is part of the Malongane reef system, it has a large swim through where you will often find a Potato Bass lurking.

Frogfish love this area and can often be seen swimming around, while Zebra Morays hide among the Maze Coral, above you may pass the occasional Manta Ray. Game fish also lurk around, Wahoo, King and Queen Mackerel as well as Kingfish often dart in from the blue. See if you can spot the Torpedo Ray or Marbled electric ray on one of the reef ledges!

Mainly a rock reef but plenty coral species around, home to a mixture of young fish, Eels, Scorpion Fish with occasional visits from Turtles. With sandy patches between the various pinnacles, gullies and overhangs it is an interesting site and great for improving Buoyancy control!

Part of a thin reef that is almost 4km long a series of overhangs and cracks are available to explore. A great drift dive passing patches of quiet and areas of intense activity, with Natal Knife Jaw, Cave Bass, Green Job Fish and Sail fin Leaf Fish among the species that can be encountered here. Blue Spot and Brown Ribbon Tail Rays lie basking in the sand while the odd Devil Ray flirts around the fringes of this reef.

Another site where you will encounter a Potato Bass, 'scar face' generally observes you closely as you enjoy his territory. The variety on and around this reef is astounding, both of fish and coral, even the pineapple Frogfish has been spotted here, while clouds of Blue banded snappers and Fusiliers escort you over the site as Batfish circle overhead. Always an interesting dive for all levels of diver.

Part of steps reef this area has some lovely Plate Coral with ledges and gullies hiding lots of life, Anemones and their Clownfish, Rays, Scorpion Fish, Trumpet fish, Angel Fish and Grouper are among the regulars here. Also keep you're eyes peeled for the Blue Spotted Rays, Potato Bass and the Paperfish. A good site to combine with Steps especially when the current is strong.

Referred to as Ponta's 'Home reef ' only a 10 minute boat ride from the shore, the reef is mainly soft Coral on a scattering of sandstone rocks. Probably one of the busiest reefs in the Ponta area often the reef cannot be seen for the amount of fish in the way! Honeycomb Rays nestle in the sand with Ribbontails and Blue Spotted Rays as companions, Sharks are seen around here Zambezi and Bull Sharks being the most spotted, joining them in the feast are Mackerel, Kingfish, Tuna and Queen fish all enjoying a piece of the action, sometimes you just have to sit on the sand and watch the action above you.

Consisting of two large rocky outcrops and a boulder (Aquarium) this is another busy reef with everything from the big game fish sweeping in from the depths to Cleaner Shrimps hiding in the crevices. Giant Sea Fans grow tall and turret Coral and Thistle Coral cling to the reef. Wrasse dart among the Garden Eels while above Angel Fish and Blue Surgeons shimmer in the light. Pipefish, Razor fish and Long nose Hawkfish have all been spotted here.

A dramatic dive with unforgettable sightings, this is Shark and Game fish area, with the ledges dropping away into the depths, the Shoals of Pickhandle, Barracuda, Mackerel, Kingfish and Wahoo, lure in the Bull Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Dusky Shark and there has even been sightings of the Tiger Shark here. Around you in the Blue you can see Manta Rays, Spotted Eagle Ray and maybe even Sailfish. Not a dive for the nervous or inexperienced.

A long flat reef that also attracts game fish and Sharks, deep and with unpredictable currents not an easy dive but rewarded with plenty corals and fish along with Shark sightings. A challenging dive for the adventurous.

Because of its depth and distance from shore this reef is not dived very often, little is known about much of the reef, it is approximately 4km offshore, with a large ledge and a deep drop off, Current is very unpredictable.

A long pretty reef full of nooks and crannies among the hard and soft Corals. Red Fang Trigger Fish, Emperor Angelfish, Yellowback Fusilier, Coral Rock-Cod amble around the Southern end. Crocodile fish have been spotted here but are not easy to spot/identify! It has a small ledge along part of the reef where Trumpetfish, Raggy Scorpionfish and Porcupine fish can be seen. During the Whaling season this area becomes vibrant with the song of the Whales.