Tofo Scuba - Bazaruto Archipelago
Tofo Scuba is a site we’ve always enjoyed, particularly for those times you want a relaxed dive with a good chance of spotting something unusual. We aren’t talking about the big pelagics here, though you might get lucky, but rather those delightful, smaller creatures that make you feel like you’ve found a secret. The coral isn't the star of the show; it's more about the crevices and sandy patches where things hide. We’ve spent entire dives here captivated by a single spitlure frogfish, its camouflage so perfect you barely believe your eyes when you finally spot it. And it's not just the frogfish; the blennies are everywhere, darting in and out of their little homes, and we often find Diana's hogfish moving gracefully amongst the rocks. Keep an eye out for the Blotched Fantail Rays too, often resting on the sand. This is a site for the macro lover, for the photographer with patience, or for anyone who enjoys slowing down and truly observing the underwater world without the pressure of a strong current or deep dive. It’s perfect for a second dive of the day, a gentle drift where you can just soak it all in.
- Location
- Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -23.848442, 35.541595
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
Nearby Dive Sites in Bazaruto Archipelago
- AFRICA SHELL - 29m (wreck)
- Amazon (cenote)
- Amazon - 5-20m (reef)
- Amphitheater (cenote)
- Amphitheater (reef)
- Clownfish (wall)
- Coliseum / Hospital (reef)
- Diversity Scuba
- EN1 (reef)
- EVRIDIS - 0m (wreck)
- Fingers (wreck)
- Giants Castle
- Hogwarts / Outback (reef)
- KLIPFONTEIN - 40m (wreck)
- Manta
Nearest Dive Centres to Tofo Scuba
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 Tofo Scuba
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