Destinations
Tofo
Tofo Beach, nestled in Mozambique’s southern Inhambane province, offers one of the world’s most renowned diving experiences. This destination is a paradise for those seeking encounters with some of the ocean’s largest marine species, especially whale sharks and manta rays.
Getting There

Tofo is easily accessible via two nearby airports:
- Inhambane Airport: Domestic flights available from Maputo.
- Vilanculos Airport: International flights from Johannesburg.
Alternatively, you can reach Tofo by road from either Maputo or Vilanculos, with beautiful coastal views to accompany your journey.
Marine Life

Tofo’s reputation as a global hotspot for whale sharks and manta rays is well-earned, but that’s just the beginning of the vibrant marine life that calls these waters home:
Whale Sharks
These gentle giants are best encountered in between your double-tank dives during surface intervals or an ocean safari.
Manta Rays
Tofo’s rich plankton supply and cleaning stations attract both giant and reef mantas. Cleaning stations are flat sections of reefs, where mantas and other species take turns as cleaner fish remove parasites. Tofo has many cleaning stations and is the only place in the world where both species of mantas have been observed together.
Devil Rays
Often seen in large schools, devil rays are close relatives of mantas and can be spotted swimming in formation above the reefs in mid water.
Small-Eye Stingrays
The world’s largest stingray species, frequently seen in these waters. They, too, frequent Tofo’s cleaning stations.
Bow-Mouth Guitarfish
A rare and fascinating species resembling a mix of shark and ray.
Sharks
Besides whale sharks, Tofo’s reefs are home to white-tip reef sharks, gray reef sharks, and leopard sharks, mostly present in our summer (the wet season from November to March).
Humpback Whales
From June to September, humpbacks migrate through Tofo’s waters, often spotted from the dive boat. On deeper, more remote reefs like Office, Reggies, and Amazon, you might even encounter one on a dive!
Tropical Reef Fish
Tofo’s reefs are vibrant with schools of trevally, barracuda, bannerfish, and surgeonfish, while potato groupers patrol the coral seascape.
Dive Sites

Tofo is best known for its deeper dive sites, where you’re most likely to encounter mantas and, in season and if lucky, humpback whales. Below are some of the top sites:
Manta Reef (Max Depth: 30m)
Located 20 km (~12 miles) south of Tofo’s launch site (a 40 minute boat ride), The southern tip of the reef features a narrow canyon with cracks and crevices harboring a variety of macro life. The northern tip of the reef features pinnacles rising from the seabed and a rock amphitheater with a large overhang and swim-through. Manta Reef is historically famous for its multiple cleaning stations and the mantas that queue up to swim through them.
Giant’s Castle (Max Depth: 30m)
Just 3 km (~2 miles) east of Tofo’s launch site (a 5 minute boat ride), this flat reef offers a dramatic wall drop-off and massive schools of game fish like trevally and barracuda. The reef is aptly named, as everything here is giant: from mantas and smalleye stingrays visiting cleaning stations to inquisitive potato groupers.
Reggies/Office/Amazon (Max Depth: 30m)
Located 15 to 20 km (~10 to 12 miles) north-east of Tofo’s launch site (a 30 to 40 minute boat ride), these sites are often dived together as part of a double-tank dive. The reefs are known for their impressive rock formations and multiple cleaning stations frequented by mantas and stingrays. You’ll also spot schools of game fish over head like barracuda and trevally, as well as potato bass patrolling the reef. In summer, white tip reef sharks, gray reef sharks, and leopard sharks are common. In season, lucky divers might catch a glimpse of a humpback whale as these dive sites become a bit of a humpback whale highway from June to September.
Dive Conditions

Deep Dives
With a maximum depth of 30m, Tofo’s best sites are only accessible by Advanced Open Water divers. If you’re not certified, consider upgrading your skills with us before diving Tofo. We also recommend the Enriched Air Nitrox course to extend your bottom time—diving on 32% nitrox at 30m gives you 30 minutes underwater compared to 20 on regular air, a 50% increase! A good bang for your buck. Learn more about Enriched Air Nitrox.
Double Tank Dives
To make the most of Tofo’s northern and southern far-off reefs, double-tank dives are common. Surface intervals are spent on the boat, enjoying snacks and spotting whale sharks, mantas, or even humpback whales in season.
Negative Entry
Due to strong currents on certain sites, divers perform negative entries on deep dives to quickly reach the reef without drifting off the dive site.
Surf Launches
Every dive site is accessed using semi-rigid inflatable boats and a surf launch. This involves launching the boats directly from the beach, through the breaking waves, which adds an exciting element to the dive.
Wetsuits
- Summer (Wet Season, November to March): A 5mm full wetsuit is generally sufficient, but during peak summer, you may prefer a shorty wetsuit or a 3mm suit, or a combination of the two, for added comfort on hotter days.
- Winter (Dry Season, April to October): A 5mm full wetsuit is recommended, but during peak winter or for double tank dives, wearing a sleeveless vest (with or without a hood) underneath may offer extra warmth. Most divers, however, find the 5mm suit adequate on its own.
Beyond Diving

Tofo isn’t just about diving—it’s a lively beach town with plenty of activities for divers and non-divers alike:
Ocean Safaris
for family and friends who don’t dive, join an ocean safari to snorkel with whale sharks and mantas.
Seahorse Snorkeling
Explore the seagrass beds of Inhambane Bay, home to these rare creatures.
Sunset Dhow Cruises
Sail the calm waters of Inhambane Bay at sunset, combining it with seahorse snorkeling for a full experience.
Village Tours
Get a taste of local life with a community village tour. Harvest cassava and make matapa, a traditional Mozambican dish.
Inhambane Historic Tour
Dive into the rich history of this charming city, from colonial architecture to local markets.
Horse Riding
Take in Tofo’s stunning beachscape on horseback for a unique view of the coastline.