Red Buoy - Quirimbas Archipelago
We've always found Red Buoy to be a solid choice when diving the Quirimbas. It's an intermediate site, taking you down to a consistent 27 metres, which means it’s a good one for advanced divers looking for a bit more bottom time without major challenges. The reef structure itself is interesting, with plenty of overhangs and crevices where we often spot stingrays tucked away or schools of snapper milling about. Keep an eye out for potato groupers, too; they're usually pretty curious here. It’s a comfortable dive, often with good visibility, making it a reliable pick for a relaxed afternoon.
- Location
- Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -10.209200, 40.184200
- Maximum Depth
- 27m
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Best Time to Dive in Quirimbas Archipelago
The warmest water temperatures in Quirimbas Archipelago occur in January, averaging 28.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.9°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.9°C (air: 27.3°C)
- February: 28.9°C (air: 27.4°C)
- March: 28.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
- April: 28.9°C (air: 27.1°C)
- May: 28.9°C (air: 26.3°C)
- June: 28.9°C (air: 25.3°C)
- July: 28.9°C (air: 24.5°C)
- August: 28.9°C (air: 24.5°C)
- September: 28.9°C (air: 24.9°C)
- October: 28.9°C (air: 25.8°C)
- November: 28.9°C (air: 26.9°C)
- December: 28.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Quirimbas Archipelago
- Baixo de São Gonçalo
- Baixo Magive Cobua
- Baixo Nameguo
- Baixo Tambula
- Baixo Techantia
- Baixo Varuni
- Baixo Zala
- Cryptomania - 13m
- Hulls Rock
- Lulu Deep - 26m
- Miniliths - 24m
- Monoliths - 22m
- Neptune's Arm (cave)
- Oasis - 17m
- PRASIDENT - 3m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Red Buoy
Marine Life in Quirimbas Archipelago
Home to 311 recorded species including 198 reef fish, 94 hard corals, 9 sharks & rays, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 seagrass & algae, 2 jellyfish.
Notable Species
- Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) - Sharks & Rays
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Barracuda (Acanthocybium solandri) - Reef Fish
- Flasher (Lobotes surinamensis) - Reef Fish
- Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
- Kingston (Decapterus macarellus) - Reef Fish
- Ocean Triggerfish (Canthidermis maculata) - Reef Fish
- Salmon (Elagatis bipinnulata) - Reef Fish
- Bluespotted stingray (Neotrygon kuhlii) - Sharks & Rays
- Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
- Jordan's Blue Dogshark (Loxodon macrorhinus) - Sharks & Rays
- Brownbanded wrasse (Halichoeres scapularis) - Reef Fish
- Goldbar wrasse (Thalassoma hebraicum) - Reef Fish
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
- Cape Damsel (Chrysiptera unimaculata) - Reef Fish
- Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
- Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) - Reef Fish
- Spottail Coris (Coris caudimacula) - Reef Fish
- Blue-spotted Stingray (Taeniura lymma) - Sharks & Rays
- Red Squirrelfish (Sargocentron diadema) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Red Buoy
Based on average water temperature of 28.9°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- 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