Matswa - Tofo & Inhambane
Piedra Ahogada, or "Drowned Rock," is one of those sites we always make time for when we're in Morrocoy. It's essentially a massive submerged rock formation, topping out around 10 meters and dropping to 21 meters at its base. Our favourite way to dive it is a slow spiral up from the sand, letting the light change as we ascend. You'll often find yourself eye-level with schools of French grunts, their silver scales flashing, and we’ve spotted scrawled soles camouflaged so perfectly on the sandy patches you have to do a double-take. What really makes Piedra Ahogada sing, though, are the corals. We consistently see great examples of massive starlet coral and mustard hill coral, creating a rugged, textured landscape. And yes, the legend of "Godzilla," the enormous moray eel, is real. We’ve seen that beast, a good three meters long, peeking from its lair on more than one occasion. It’s a site that rewards patience, perfect for divers who love exploring nooks and crannies and aren’t afraid of a healthy current on occasion. Just keep an eye out for those lionfish; they’re becoming more common here.
- Location
- Tofo & Inhambane, Mozambique, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -23.188600, 35.574600
- 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)
- Caves (reef)
- Grand Canyon - 24m
- Ponta Backdoor (Surf)
- Ponta Tofinho (Surf)
- Rainbow Reef (wreck)
- SILVER HARVESTER - 9m (wreck)
- Tokyo Drift (cave)
- Two Mile Reef (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Matswa
- 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 Matswa
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