Anchor
Protected Area
Maputaland Marine Reserve
Why dive here
With 558+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, blue sharks, blue-spotted stingrays and bull sharks - Anchor offers some of Sodwana Bay's richest reef diving. Water ranges 23-28°C, warmest January, February, March.
Anchor is one of those Sodwana sites we keep coming back to, not for massive pelagics, but for its sheer abundance of smaller, fascinating reef life. Dropping down, you’ll likely find yourself in a playful current, pushing you gently over the sandy patches between the coral bommies. We love the way the reef here is dotted with whip corals, perfect for spotting the tiny whip coral gobies if you’ve got a good eye and a steady hand. The site gets its name from an old anchor that’s been adopted by the reef, now a home for moray eels and the occasional granular frog shell. You’ll weave through coral gardens where schools of beautiful fusiliers shimmer, and if you hover, you might catch a grammistes blenny peeking out from its coral hideout. For us, Anchor shines as a macro photographer's dream – the sheer variety of nudibranchs and smaller fish like the ring-tailed surgeonfish and common lyre-tail cod is incredible. It’s a shallower dive, usually around 18-20 metres, making for longer bottom times and a more relaxed exploration. Don’t rush it; the best finds are often in the small crevices and under coral overhangs. This is a site for divers who appreciate the intricate details of a healthy reef and enjoy a slower, more deliberate pace underwater.
Typical Anchor Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Anchor
Dive shops near Anchor
Mermaids Cove Ei
Underwater Explorers
Gozo Azul Diving
Malongane Beach Resort
Reviews for Anchor
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Anchor
Anchor Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Anchor, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-27.53, 32.7) (0km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
23°C
73°F · Range: 22.3–24.5°C
Air Temperature
22°C
71°F
Wind Speed
7.35 m/s
14.3 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1017.9 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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