Amazon - Bazaruto Archipelago

Amazon is one of our absolute favourite sites in Bazaruto, precisely because it feels so far out, so untouched. It’s a proper expedition to get there, but the reward is immense. We’ve had dives here where the visibility seemed to stretch forever, sometimes pushing 25 metres, giving you a proper sense of the reef’s scale. The C-shape of the reef, with its two distinct ledges, means there are always new corners to explore, craters to peek into, and those lovely, wide swim-throughs that just beg you to glide through them. What we really love about Amazon is the feeling of being in a truly wild place. You’ll often be the only boat out here, and the reef responds in kind. Schools of redtail scad and rainbowfish stream past, sometimes so thick they create a shimmering wall. Keep a keen eye out in the blue, because this is one of the better spots for those bigger pelagics. We’ve seen whitetips cruising the perimeter, and on a good day, the silhouette of a leopard shark is a real treat. It’s a site that rewards patience and a willingness to just drift and watch the ocean unfold around you. Definitely one for the more experienced divers who appreciate a proper offshore adventure.

Location: Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -23.899200, 35.631900
Type: reef
Maximum Depth: 5-20m

Best Time to Dive in Bazaruto Archipelago

The warmest water temperatures in Bazaruto Archipelago occur in January, averaging 28.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 23.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.3°C
February: 28.3°C
March: 27.6°C
April: 27.0°C
May: 25.9°C
June: 24.8°C
July: 23.8°C
August: 23.3°C
September: 23.6°C
October: 24.5°C
November: 25.8°C
December: 27.4°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Amazon

Marine Life in Bazaruto Archipelago

Home to 99 recorded species including 70 reef fish, 14 sharks & rays, 4 other, 3 sea cucumbers, 3 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
Soldier (Cheimerius nufar) - Reef Fish
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
Gulf torpedo (Torpedo sinuspersici) - Sharks & Rays
Halfmoon triggerfish (Sufflamen chrysopterum) - Reef Fish
Day Sarpon (Alepisaurus ferox) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
Spottail Coris (Coris caudimacula) - Reef Fish
Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) - Reef Fish
Goldbar wrasse (Thalassoma hebraicum) - Reef Fish
Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)
Rainbow wrasse (Halichoeres iridis) - Reef Fish
Banded Toby (Canthigaster valentini) - Reef Fish
Blue and Gold Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) - Reef Fish
Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) - Whales & Dolphins
Palani (Acanthurus dussumieri) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Amazon

Based on average water temperature of 25.9°C, currents 35 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories