Ribbon Reef - 5 Mile - Sodwana Bay

Sue's Groyne is one of those surprisingly rewarding shore dives, especially considering its easy beach entry and shallow depths. We always love a site where you can just wander in from the sand, and here it’s only a short stroll from the car park. You wade out maybe 2.5 metres, then the sand drops away to around 4 metres, making for a gentle wall dive. We've seen some fantastic stuff here, from striped juvenile catfish hugging the bottom, looking like tiny bristling brooms, to octopuses expertly camouflaged against the rocks. The visibility averages around 7 metres, which isn't bathwater, but it's more than enough to appreciate the details. Keep an eye out for the small cuttlefish, they're often darting around, changing colours as you approach. We've even spotted baby Port Jackson sharks tucked into crevices on occasion, which is always a treat. For a relaxed dive that delivers plenty of marine life without the need for a boat, Sue's Groyne is a solid pick for any diver who appreciates the small wonders of a healthy reef.

Location
Sodwana Bay, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-27.489200, 32.690000
Type
wall

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 Ribbon Reef - 5 Mile

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 Ribbon Reef - 5 Mile

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