Rainbow Reef - Tofo & Inhambane
The Srikandi wreck is a proper novelty dive, tucked away just offshore from its namesake restaurant. It’s a speedboat, maybe 20 seats, settled upright on the sand at 25 metres. We love how intact it is – looks like it just pulled up to a mooring buoy and decided to stay there. You can still make out the console, the rows of seats. It’s got a bit of an eerie quality when the visibility drops, the shadows playing tricks inside the cabin. What makes it for us isn't just the wreck itself, but the life that's already moved in. We've seen some ridiculously chunky Java morays peeking from under the hull. Look closely along the mooring line that leads down to it; that’s where the ornate ghost pipefish sometimes hang out, blending perfectly. It’s a mellow dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture something a bit different, or for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a new, uncrowded addition. Access is easy, straight off the beach. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light can be lovely through the water then.
- Location
- Tofo & Inhambane, Mozambique, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -23.235900, 35.544800
- Type
- wreck
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
- Matswa (reef)
- Ponta Backdoor (Surf)
- Ponta Tofinho (Surf)
- SILVER HARVESTER - 9m (wreck)
- Tokyo Drift (cave)
- Two Mile Reef (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Rainbow Reef
- 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 Rainbow Reef
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