Coral Divers - Sodwana Bay

Coral Divers, confusingly named after one of the local dive operators, is one of our favourite spots on Quarter Mile reef. It’s got this perfect, rolling topography, a series of gullies and ridges that make for really interesting navigation. We love dropping in on the northern side and letting the gentle current carry us south, weaving through the coral bommies. You’ll often find us hovering over the large meandroid brain corals, looking for the tiny Red-streaked Blennies bobbing their heads. Look into the crevices for Painted Spiny Lobsters, their antennae waving. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here with Gray Reef Sharks cruising past, just checking things out. The schools of Longfin Bannerfish are thick, and you’ll see Flameback Angelfish darting among the Montipora coral. It’s a site that rewards a slow pace, letting you really appreciate the smaller things, though the Jacks and occasional Potato Bass do make for good wide-angle shots. It’s an easy, pretty dive, perfect for warming up or for divers who just want a relaxed exploration.

Location
Sodwana Bay, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-27.540756, 32.678703
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in Sodwana Bay

The warmest water temperatures in Sodwana Bay occur in January, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
  • February: 28.1°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • March: 28.1°C (air: 24.5°C)
  • April: 28.1°C (air: 22.7°C)
  • May: 28.1°C (air: 21.1°C)
  • June: 28.1°C (air: 19.1°C)
  • July: 28.1°C (air: 18.8°C)
  • August: 28.1°C (air: 19.5°C)
  • September: 28.1°C (air: 20.6°C)
  • October: 28.1°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • November: 28.1°C (air: 23.3°C)
  • December: 28.1°C (air: 24.6°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Sodwana Bay

Nearest Dive Centres to Coral Divers

Marine Life in Sodwana Bay

Home to 579 recorded species including 443 reef fish, 49 sharks & rays, 35 hard corals, 12 seagrass & algae, 8 crabs & lobsters, 7 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Coral Divers

Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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