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SOUTH AFRICA: Sodwana Bay and Rocktail Bay

Sodwana Bay is situated within the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park a World Heritage Site in northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The warm water temperatures allow tropical reefs to flourish along with a variety of marine life, making this a divers’ paradise. There are a variety of dive depths from around 10 metres down to 50 metres. Pregnant Ragged-tooth sharks move into these warmer waters to gestate in November.  Whale sharks and mantas can be spotted in the area from November to April. From June to November, Humpback whales migrate north to calve and pass Sodwana on their way to the warmer waters of the Mozambique Channel.

Day 1: You will be met at Durban International Airport and transferred to Mseni Lodge in Sodwana Bay for 7 nights.   Mseni is set within the Sodwana Bay National Park and has a board-walk passing through the coastal forest accessing directly onto the beach. The coastline is stunning with huge sand dunes rolling down to the sea. The restaurant and bar are set high up to offer views of the Indian Ocean.

Days 2-7: Dive Sodwana Bay, 2 dives per day: the reefs are unimaginatively named after the distance from the lighthouse at Jesser point (i.e. 2-Mile, 5-Mile, etc), but don’t let that put you off; they are literally bursting with life! Whether you’re looking for macro-life or big-stuff you will find it all here.

Day 8: Spend the morning relaxing before your transfer to the airport.

Prices from: £695 excluding flights

Includes: all transfers; 7 nights Mseni Lodge (Dinner, B&B); 12 dives to 2-Mile reef including tanks and weights (surcharge for further reefs payable locally)

Notes: From November to February, Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles come to the beach at night to lay their eggs. KwaZulu Nature Conservation runs supervised tours and, depending on the tide, you can see these amazing creatures battle over the sand to dig holes and lay their eggs with great effort.

Further north from Sodwana lies Rocktail Bay, situated in the northern reaches of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Situated offshore from Rocktail Bay is the Maputaland Marine Reserve which offers an additional sanctuary with extraordinary diving and snorkelling encounters with huge shoals of fish, dolphins and whales. Rocktail Bay Lodge is situated meters inland from the warm Indian Ocean and one of the most incredible beaches in all of South Africa. The lodge is built out of the wind, just inland from the beach within the forest canopy of vegetated dunes that occur along Maputaland's coastline. Rocktail offers perhaps the most private beach experience in South Africa, with nearly 40 kilometres of unspoilt, pristine coastline where it is possible to walk for hours without meeting another soul.

During the summer months Rocktail Bay Lodge is integrally involved in ongoing turtle research. Guests are able to accompany the resident turtle expert on research drives at low tide at night helping to monitor the turtle's nesting numbers and behaviour.  Please ask for details/prices.

Mseni Lodge, Sodwana Bay:

The area is owned by the Mbila Zulu tribe and the local chief is a Zhikali, whose family has ruled for many years. Cabins are hidden away in lush dune forest, private and secluded: there are 6 three bed cabins, 3 four bed and 1 six bed. All cabins are serviced daily and are equipped with guest amenities and tea and coffee.

Rocktail Bay Lodge, Rocktail Bay:

Accommodation is in 11 tree-house chalets. Each en suite room has its own private balcony and an additional outdoor shower in the forest. The main area of the lodge has an inviting lounge and meals are enjoyed either in the separate dining room, at the poolside or under a huge Natal Mahogany tree.

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