Caves - Tofo & Inhambane
Galu is one of our go-to spots in Diani for a relaxed, easy dive. It’s got that classic Indian Ocean feel, with sandy patches breaking up the coral bommies, and the depth usually hangs around 12-15m, making it perfect for a long, unhurried bottom time. We love drifting along here, keeping an eye out for the resident green turtles – they’re surprisingly unfazed by divers. What really stands out for us at Galu, especially when the light is good, are the schools of Blackspot Surgeonfish, often weaving through the coral, and the flashes of Longfin Bannerfish against the blue. You’ll also find plenty of those smaller reef fish tucked into the crevices, like the Black-back Butterflyfish. Conditions here are generally mild, so it’s a great site if you're looking for an uncomplicated dive where you can just soak it all in. We often recommend it for photographers who want to take their time setting up a shot, or for anyone who just wants to glide and observe.
- Location
- Tofo & Inhambane, Mozambique, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -23.224500, 35.487300
- Type
- reef
Best Time to Dive in Tofo & Inhambane
The warmest water temperatures in Tofo & Inhambane occur in January, averaging 28.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.8°C (air: 27.1°C)
- February: 28.8°C (air: 27.0°C)
- March: 28.8°C (air: 26.0°C)
- April: 28.8°C (air: 24.8°C)
- May: 28.8°C (air: 23.0°C)
- June: 28.8°C (air: 21.7°C)
- July: 28.8°C (air: 20.8°C)
- August: 28.8°C (air: 21.8°C)
- September: 28.8°C (air: 23.3°C)
- October: 28.8°C (air: 24.1°C)
- November: 28.8°C (air: 25.6°C)
- December: 28.8°C (air: 26.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Tofo & Inhambane
- Barra Reef (reef)
- Benchmark (reef)
- Benchmark (reef)
- Grand Canyon - 24m
- Matswa (reef)
- Ponta Backdoor (Surf)
- Ponta Tofinho (Surf)
- Rainbow Reef (wreck)
- SILVER HARVESTER - 9m (wreck)
- Tokyo Drift (cave)
- Two Mile Reef (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Caves
- Azura - ["PADI"]
- Azura Marlin Beach - ["PADI"]
- Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies - ["PADI"]
- &Beyond Benguerra Lodge - ["PADI"]
- Dive Bazaruto
- Odyssea Dive Centre
Marine Life in Tofo & Inhambane
Home to 283 recorded species including 222 reef fish, 24 sharks & rays, 11 hard corals, 6 seagrass & algae, 4 other, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs.
Notable Species
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
- Soldier (Cheimerius nufar) - Reef Fish
- Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) - Sharks & Rays
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Halfmoon triggerfish (Sufflamen chrysopterum) - Reef Fish
- Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
- Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
- Spottail Coris (Coris caudimacula) - Reef Fish
- Goldbar wrasse (Thalassoma hebraicum) - Reef Fish
- Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) - Reef Fish
- Rainbow wrasse (Halichoeres iridis) - Reef Fish
- Blue Surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucosternon) - Reef Fish
- Blue and Gold Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) - Reef Fish
- Gulf torpedo (Torpedo sinuspersici) - Sharks & Rays
- Trumpet (Aulostomus chinensis) - Reef Fish
- Bicolor Parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) - Reef Fish
- Banded Toby (Canthigaster valentini) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Caves
Based on average water temperature of 28.8°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