Five Mile Reef
Protected Area
iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area
Why dive here
With 558+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, blue sharks, blue-spotted stingrays and bull sharks - Five Mile Reef offers some of Sodwana Bay's richest reef diving. Water ranges 23-28°C, warmest January, February, March.
Five Mile Reef isn't for the faint-hearted, dropping down to 35 metres, sometimes more if you're chasing that elusive coelacanth rumour. It’s an advanced dive, for sure, with currents that can keep you on your toes, but that’s also why it’s so good. We love the sheer scale of the coral structures here, massive bommies and overhangs that feel ancient. You’ll find yourself sharing the space with whitetip reef sharks gliding through, and the walls are thick with flowerpot coral, which is just stunning. Our favourite part is always spotting the less common stuff – the Comettailed wrasse zipping past, or a Chestnut Blenny peering out from its hidey-hole. Keep an eye out for the Snakehead Cowrie, too, they’re usually tucked away. The schools of Silver Bream can be enormous, a flashing wall of silver in the blue. It’s a dive that rewards patience and a keen eye, perfect for those who’ve logged a few hours and are ready for something a bit more substantial than the shallower sites. Come prepared for a proper deep dive, and you won’t be disappointed.
Typical Five Mile Reef Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Five Mile Reef
Dive shops near Five Mile Reef
Scuba center
Pisces Diving Charter-Sodwana Bay
Occi Scuba
SeaXplore Dive Center
Siso Dwana Lodge
Coral Divers
Reviews for Five Mile Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Five Mile Reef
Five Mile Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Five Mile Reef, 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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