Azura - Tofo & Inhambane
We always appreciate a dive centre that feels like it’s genuinely part of the place, and Azura in Tofo really nails that. It’s a PADI 5 Star resort, which means the training is solid, but what we love is their focus on making every dive personal, not just another group outing. If you’re looking for a centre that blends high-end service with a true passion for Mozambique’s big stuff, this is a top pick. They’re fantastic for anyone keen on getting up close with manta rays and whale sharks, whether you’re just starting your diving journey or you’ve got hundreds of dives under your belt. The Azura team are experts on the local conditions, which matters a lot when you’re dealing with the open ocean of Tofo. Our favourite dives with them often involved heading out early to beat the crowds, finding ourselves drifting along reefs like Manta Reef or Amazon, watching mantas circle above cleaning stations. You feel the surge, see the sun dappling through schools of fusiliers, and then suddenly, a massive whale shark might glide past, its skin patterned like a celestial chart. They’re excellent at spotting the smaller stuff too, if you ask, pointing out ornate ghost pipefish or leaf fish tucked into corals. We always suggest chatting with their dive guides about the morning’s currents before heading out; they’ve got a knack for picking the best spots that day. They make the whole experience feel less like a transaction and more like an adventure with friends.
- Location
- Tofo & Inhambane, Mozambique, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -21.853912, 35.425808
- Phone
- +27 76 705 0599
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.azura-retreats.com
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI 5 Star Dive Resort [padi:35581]
- Address
- Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago, Inhambane ProvinceNo State, Mozambique
Dive Sites Near Azura
Azura provides access to 12 dive sites in Tofo & Inhambane.
- Barra Reef (reef)
- Benchmark (reef)
- Benchmark (reef)
- Caves (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)
Other Dive Centres in Tofo & Inhambane
- Azura Marlin Beach - ["PADI"]
- Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies - ["PADI"]
- &Beyond Benguerra Lodge - ["PADI"]
- Dive Bazaruto
- Odyssea Dive Centre
- Offshore Africa Pomene - ["PADI"]
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)
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 Marine Life
- 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
Recommended Packing List for Tofo & Inhambane
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