Coral Gardens - Sodwana Bay

Happily Ever After is one of those Roatán sites we always try to hit, especially if we’re drifting towards Fish Den. It’s a channel corner, which means a good bit of action, and it’s got this big, interesting outcrop on the wall. We love the way the soft corals seem to explode from the rock, creating perfect little hideouts for the smaller stuff. We’ve found pygmy morays tucked away here, and once, we even spotted a wart-eye stargazer peeking out from the sand – kept us entertained for a good five minutes. The top of the reef sits around 5-9m, then it drops down to about 21m, so it’s a comfortable depth for most. Visibility averages 19m, decent enough to take in the big picture. We’d suggest keeping an eye out for the Blackcap Basslets in the overhangs, they’re usually there. This site really shines for divers who enjoy poking around for macro life while still appreciating some nice wall topography. You’ll get your fill of wrasses and groupers, but it’s the little surprises that keep us coming back.

Location
Sodwana Bay, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-27.522000, 32.686000
Type
drift

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 Gardens

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 Gardens

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