Shoulder

Best months: Jun–Oct

Protected Area

Mangrove

Why dive here

With 165+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, sea turtles, sperm whales and whale sharks - Shoulder offers some of Mafia Island's richest wall diving. Water ranges 26-29°C, warmest February, March, April.

Best timeJun–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeHumpback Whales, Sea Turtles, Sperm Whales and Whale Sharks · 165+ species recorded

Water26-29°C · warmest February, March, April

CharacterWall dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Shoulder certainly lives up to its billing; it’s a proper rush. We're talking a serious drift, the kind where you really feel the current pulling you along, sometimes so fast it feels like flying. Your heart will definitely be pounding, but that's part of the fun. Maxing out at 19m, it’s not particularly deep, but you need to be comfortable in strong water. The visibility here is usually good, around 17m, which is a blessing when you're moving that quickly. Keep your eyes peeled for the big stuff – we’ve seen some massive green turtles here just cruising past, looking entirely unbothered by the current that’s pushing us along. Schools of beautiful fusiliers are everywhere, and the Honeycomb Groupers often hang out in the deeper sections, just out of the main flow. If you’re lucky, you might spot a guitar shark on the sandy bottom, or a ray gliding by. This is definitely one for experienced divers who love a bit of speed and aren't afraid of a good workout.