If it's variety you're after, you've come to the right places. Both South Africa & Mozambique have enormously long coastlines ranging from about 35?S to just below the equator which at the same is time is and isn't quite within the usual range of tropical diving. The Mozambique Current flows down South Africa's East Coast, bringing warm tropical water with it, and at Roacktail & Sodwana Bay we have the most southerly coral reefs in the world. Of course, they have the full complement of pretty colourful fish and some great nudibranchs, including the outrageous Spanish dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineas).

Whale sharks, turtles, dolphins and ragged-tooth sharks (Carcharias taurus) are often seen in specific places - like Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks near Durban.

And then, as you head down the coast, the underwater fauna and flora change gradually until, once you've reached Cape Town, you're diving in chilly but beautiful kelp forests.?There are three major types of kelp, and a short portion of the Western Cape coast is the only place in the world that they all grow together. If you've always shunned cold water diving, consider it.?Sure, you do have to dress up in a great thick wetsuit with constraining hoodie and gloves, but it's worth it. Scuba Diving in kelp is like walking in a forest. You float beneath the canopy and admire the surprisingly colourful reef life.?Off Cape Town, divers regularly see anemones in colours ranging from electric blue or deep red to pale pink, nudibranchs of almost every colour you can imagine, and a whole range of small creatures in and around the bright orange and sulphur yellow sponges.

Scuba diving in South Africa is amazing but South Africa has a neighbour that has even better scuba diving - Mozambique. The endless palm-fringed coastline has some of the most pristine coral reef in the world and dozens of tropical islands making Mozambique THE scuba diving destination!