Four Buoy, Sodwana Bay - Sodwana Bay

Laberinto isn’t your typical tropical reef. It’s got a rough charm, a raw energy that’s unique to these colder Peruvian waters. The site sits northeast of Santa Maria beach, a maze of jumbled rocks, some huge, some just barely breaking the surface. Maximum depth here is 19 metres, but you'll spend most of your time shallower, weaving through the channels and crevices that give Laberinto its name. Visibility can be a real wildcard, averaging around 3 metres. Don’t let that put you off; it just adds to the adventure. We’ve had dives here where the light filters through the kelp, making the anchovy schools sparkle like a million tiny coins. Keep your eyes peeled for the Pacific cornetfish, long and slender, almost invisible against the rock, and if you’re patient, you might spot a barred pipefish clinging to the algae. Our favourite part? The sheer variety of nudibranchs. We’ve found species here we’ve never seen anywhere else. This is a site for the experienced diver, someone who appreciates the subtle beauty of a temperate environment and isn’t afraid of a bit of a low-vis challenge. It’s a rewarding dive if you slow down and really look.

Location: Sodwana Bay, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -27.520800, 32.686900
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 Four Buoy, Sodwana Bay

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

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) - Sharks & Rays
Soldier (Cheimerius nufar) - Reef Fish
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) - Sharks & Rays
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Mozambique mouth-breeder (Oreochromis mossambicus) - Reef Fish
Silver moony (Monodactylus argenteus) - Reef Fish
Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
African Weakfish (Atractoscion aequidens) - Reef Fish
Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
Hound Needlefish (Tylosurus crocodilus) - Reef Fish
Jack (Selar crumenophthalmus) - Reef Fish
Spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) - Reef Fish
honeycomb stingray (Himantura uarnak) - Sharks & Rays
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Crescent Grunter (Terapon jarbua) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
Coral Blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) - Reef Fish
Bluefish (Kyphosus vaigiensis) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Four Buoy, Sodwana Bay

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