More often associated with safari vacations and big-game terrestrial wildlife, Africa is also an extraordinary destination for scuba diving. With its vast coastlines spanning the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, this diverse continent is as varied below the water’s surface as it is above.
From the vibrant reefs and wrecks of northern Egypt to the thrilling shark encounters off the shores of South Africa, Africa offers an unparalleled array of aquatic adventures to satisfy every level of diver. But the allure of scuba diving in Africa goes beyond just the underwater realm - the continent also boasts a unique array of cultural experiences that are truly unforgettable.
In this article, we’ll share 8 of the best places to dive in Africa, whether you’re seeking leisurely drifts over colourful coral reefs or up-close encounters with big pelagic species. While some of the destinations can easily be accessed from international airports, others require a challenging overland adventure that is all part of the experience.
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South Africa
The best place to dive in Africa for thrill seekers
Stretching 2,800 kilometres along the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, South Africa offers scuba divers some of the continent’s most exhilarating underwater experiences. The country's sheer geographic size and varied marine environments create a wealth of diving opportunities, with each region boasting its own attractions.
In the northeastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, you’ll find warm, clear waters that harbour some of South Africa's most biologically rich dive sites. The reefs of Sodwana Bay, nestled within the UNESCO-protected iSimangaliso Wetland Park, are a particular highlight, with the occasional shark or manta ray gliding gracefully through the azure depths.
Further south along the coast lies the legendary Aliwal Shoal, renowned as one of South Africa's premier shark diving destinations. Here, you have the chance to spot bull sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks and iconic sand tiger sharks. A highlight on the annual calendar is the thrilling Sardine Run, which takes place in June and July, and will see you surrounded by not only millions of sardines but also sharks, dolphins and diving birds.
Venturing to South Africa's Western Cape, the diving experience takes on a markedly different character, with the cooler, kelp-filled waters of the Atlantic Ocean supporting a unique array of marine creatures. Seal colonies and African penguin rookeries dot the rugged coastline, attracting apex predators like great white sharks, seven-gill sharks and even orcas. Towns like False Bay and Gansbaai have become world-famous hubs for shark cage diving, allowing thrill-seekers to come face-to-face with these formidable ocean giants.
Best places to dive in Africa
Mozambique
Best place to dive in Africa for large pelagic species
Mozambique's 2,400-kilometre-long coastline offers an exhilarating introduction to the impressive megafauna of southeast Africa. While this little-visited dive destination may not be the most accessible, that very inaccessibility is what lends it an alluring sense of frontier-like exploration. Dive sites here remain relatively untouched, with few other divers to contend with and the above-water scenery is sublime.
In the northern reaches of the country, the Quirimbas Archipelago is protected within one of Africa's largest marine protected areas, preserving over 200 kilometres of undeveloped islands, mangroves and reefs. Divers can immerse themselves in a captivating underwater world of fascinating topography, from canyons and caves to dramatic overhangs.
Further south within the Mozambique Channel, the Bazaruto Archipelago offers enthralling drift dives, with walls, canyons and overhangs creating an ever-changing seascape to explore. Head down the coast and you’ll discover the well-known manta and whale shark destination of Tofo, which boasts year-round sightings of these pelagic giants. The migratory patterns of humpback whales also bring these majestic creatures through the Mozambique Channel, with the best viewings in August and September.
Finally, in Mozambique's deep south, Ponta do Ouro stands out as a spectacular dive location and one of the premier sites in the southern hemisphere for encountering big pelagic shark species. Divers can hope to spot bull sharks, known locally as Zambezi sharks, as well as hammerheads and 17 other shark species that frequent these productive waters.
Want to explore the waters of Mozambique? Learn more about the best places to dive in Mozambique + eco-friendly places to stay.
Best places to dive in Africa
Red Sea
Best place for liveaboard diving in Africa
As the world's most northerly tropical sea, this 2,250-kilometre-long inlet of the Indian Ocean is sandwiched between the African nations of Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea to the west and Saudi Arabia to the east. This has resulted in a unique and isolated marine environment that has given rise to a diverse aquatic life that is best explored by liveaboard.
Renowned as one of the "Seven Wonders of the Underwater World," the Red Sea boasts a stunning array of colourful coral gardens, dramatic deep-water walls and thriving schools of fish - not to mention the chance to spot some of the ocean's most impressive pelagic creatures, including sharks, mantas and schools of hammerheads.
The northern region, in particular, is home to some of the Red Sea's most famous and sought-after dive sites, many of which can be found within the drift-filled reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park. Those seeking the ultimate big-animal encounters should head to the "golden triangle" of Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone, which attract huge numbers of pelagic predators, or you can discover one of the Red Sea’s accessible shipwrecks, such as the World War II-era SS Thistlegorm.
Less explored is the southern Red Sea, which offers more of a frontier-like diving experience, with highlights including the vast underwater plateau of Fury Shoals and the Rocky Islands. On the border with Sudan, the isolated St. John's Reef features caves, tunnels and overhangs that are blanketed in a profusion of colourful corals and the sometimes strong currents lure a wealth of pelagic species.
Prefer a land-based scuba vacation in the Red Sea? Here are some of the top eco-friendly dive resorts in Egypt.
Best places to dive in Africa
Madagascar
Best place to dive in Africa for wildlife lovers
Situated off the southeastern coast of the African continent, Madagascar boasts an incredible wealth of endemic flora and fauna that has evolved in isolation. While this island nation has long been a dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, its marine ecosystems have only recently begun to draw the attention of intrepid scuba divers and snorkellers.
Compared to many other Indian Ocean vacation spots, Madagascar's coastal regions and dive sites remain refreshingly uncrowded. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the waters surrounding Nosy Be, with its astounding array of hard coral species - over 300 in total - providing home to more than 1,300 species of reef fish. Aside from getting up close to turtles, rays and sharks, this is also a prime destination for encountering whale sharks, which congregate in the nutrient-rich waters each October and November.
Further north, the clear, current-swept waters and dramatic volcanic topography of the Mitsio Archipelago present equally thrilling opportunities to encounter manta rays, sharks and other pelagic marine life in an untamed setting. Head south along Madagascar's western coastline and you’ll reach the dive sites around Toliara Reef, Anakao and Nosy Ve, which are particularly beloved by macro enthusiasts.
Off the east coast of Madagascar is Nosy Boraha (also known as Île Sainte-Marie), which is quickly gaining popularity among wreck diving fans. In addition to its sunken artefacts, these waters are also a vital migratory path for humpback whales between July and September.
Learn more about diving in Madagascar with a list of the top dive sites + eco-friendly stays.
Best places to dive in Africa
Mauritius
Best place to dive in Africa for beginners
Around 1,000 kilometres east of Madagascar lies the small island nation of Mauritius, the former home of the dodo bird. It has long captured the imagination of nature enthusiasts, both above and below the water’s surface, with several endemic species and unique hard and soft coral formations.
Along the island's northern shores, the dive spots of Grand-Baie and Trou-aux-Biches beckon, promising exceptional macro diving experiences for underwater photographers. The island's east coast plays host to some of Mauritius' most celebrated diving encounters, with the Shark Pit and Belle Mare renowned for their pelagic and shark sightings. Here, divers may have the chance to glimpse the powerful presence of bull sharks, grey reef sharks and silvertip reef sharks.
Head west and you may catch a glimpse of migratory humpback whales or the playful dolphins that often frequent the area. Numerous shipwrecks litter the ocean floor, such as the Tug II and Kei Sei 113, while locations like the "Cathedral" and "Rampart Serpent" provide unforgettable diving adventures close to the beach resort of Flic-en-Flac.
The unique geography of Mauritius, with its surrounding coral reefs, creates sheltered lagoons, making it an ideal destination for beginners to hone their skills. At the same time, more advanced divers can revel in the exploration of wrecks, caves and tunnels, as well as the towering pinnacles that dot the seascape.
For a sustainable dive vacation in Mauritius, check out these eco-friendly dive resorts.
Best places to dive in Africa
Seychelles
Best island paradise for diving in Africa
Scattered across the Indian Ocean to the north of Mauritius, this tropical archipelago is renowned not only as a honeymoon destination but as home to some of the finest scuba diving opportunities in the region. Giant Aldabra tortoises inhabit the dramatic terrain of the Seychelles while its idyllic beaches are dotted with eco-conscious luxury resorts.
The three main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are where the majority of the diving in the Seychelles takes place, surrounded by protected coral islets and atolls teeming with life. Divers exploring the inner reefs will be greeted by a plethora of tropical fish, as well as graceful sea turtles and fantastical nudibranchs.
Venture to the less-frequented outer reefs and you may be rewarded with sightings of the elusive sailfish, as well as oceanic whitetips, manta rays and whale sharks. The southern islands of Seychelles also offer exceptional drift and wall diving opportunities, further diversifying the underwater experiences available to visitors.
Planning a dive vacation in the Seychelles? Check out these 5 eco-friendly Seychelles resorts.
Best places to dive in Africa
Mafia Island
Best place to dive off-the-beaten-track in Africa
While most tourists seeking a coastal escape in Tanzania make a beeline for Zanzibar, it’s an island further south that offers the country’s best scuba diving. Mafia Island is surrounded by one the largest protected marine areas in the Indian Ocean, encompasing mangrove forests, inland lagoons and sandbanks.
Whether you’re exploring its flat-topped reefs or steep banks blanketed in coral, the diving around Mafia Island is second to none. You can swim through winding channels, drift around bommies and explore underwater caves, all while encountering a dizzying array of marine life.
If that’s not enough, Mafia Island also hosts humpback whales on their annual migration, with the opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants in August and September. The winter months are also among the best times to watch turtle hatchlings scurrying to the sea from one of the island’s blindingly white beaches.
The coral reefs around Mafia Island have been spared the widespread bleaching that has devastated many other Indian Ocean destinations and its dive sites are blissfully uncrowded compared to Zanzibar. With most at less than 30 metres in depth, it’s a wonderful spot for divers of all levels to enjoy an off-the-beaten-path scuba vacation in Africa.
Discover how to plan a sustainable dive vacation in Tanzania + eco-friendly places to stay.
Best places to dive in Africa
Kenya
Best place for macro diving in Africa
While Kenya may not be the first destination that comes to mind for many scuba divers, this East African nation is somewhat of a hidden gem for macro enthusiasts. Much of its 1,400-kilometre-long coastline is protected within marine parks and reserves, ensuring the reefs here are healthy and the marine life abundant.
Among the country’s best-managed conservation areas is Watamu Marine National Park, a prime destination for spotting green turtles and dugongs amid its diverse fish populations. Over 100 species of hard coral have been recorded within the park’s bounds and it’s here that you’ll find the 18-metre wreck of a prawn trawler, the Mida.
Further south, the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Reserve showcases Kenya's stunning coastal beauty, with year-round diving opportunities off the shores of Wasini Island. Here, divers can encounter an astounding 40 species of coral and over 250 different types of reef fish, as well as manta rays, turtles and large pods of bottlenose dolphins.
In Kenya, you don’t have to venture far from an urban centre for fascinating dive experiences, with the Mombasa Marine National Park & Reserve home to large coral heads that provide habitat for nudibranchs and opisthobranchs. Descending into the outer reefs, divers are treated to a dramatic topography of shelves and overhangs, as well as memorable encounters with eels, barracudas and groupers.
Learn more about the best places to dive in Kenya + eco-friendly resorts and hotels.
About the authors
We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe. After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we've created this resource highlighting sustainably run surf camps, eco-friendly dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.
Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore. Despite the benefits that surf and dive tourism can bring to local communities, we recognised that ocean-based adventures are not always managed in a sustainable manner.
Through our articles, we hope to inspire those seeking a responsible surf or dive trip that is all about supporting local communities, preserving our coastal environments and the incredible marine species that inhabit our oceans.