Sodwana Bay, South Africa
    iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area

    Trenches - 2 Mile Reef

    Best months: Dec–Apr

    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 - Trenches - 2 Mile Reef offers some of Sodwana Bay's richest drift diving. Water ranges 23-28°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeDec–Apr
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Blue Sharks, Blue-Spotted Stingrays and Bull Sharks · 558+ species recorded
    Water23-28°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterDrift dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Trenches, part of the wider 2 Mile Reef system, feels like exploring a submerged maze. We love dropping down into those parallel sand channels, flanked by walls of hard coral. It's not a dramatic depth, peaking at 20m, but the structure itself creates an intimate feel, like the reef is drawing you in. Visibility usually hovers around 18m, giving you plenty of time to scan the edges. Keep a close eye out for the Whitespotted Whipray often resting in the sandy furrows, or a tiny Dwarf Moray peeking from a coral crevice. This site is a nudibranch hunter’s dream, and we’ve spent many a dive finning slowly, spotting some truly vibrant specimens. You’ll also find an impressive array of wrasse species here, including some rarer ones like the African Small Tail Wrasse. It’s a site that rewards patience and a keen eye – perfect for macro enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a more relaxed, exploratory dive rather than chasing big pelagics.

    Safety Notes

    Drift dive - carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and stay with your group. Brief the current direction before entry.

    Today05:1817:5512h 37m daylightGolden hour 17:24

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Trenches - 2 Mile Reef

    Trenches - 2 Mile Reef Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Trenches - 2 Mile Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-27.53, 32.7) (0km away)

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    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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