Dive sites

With Oxygene/Scuba Scene being and inland dive centre and retail group we are spoilt for choice in terms of dive sites both in South Africa and Mozambique, listed here are some of the more frequented dive sites commonly used by us.

Bass City:  This dive site is situated beyond the bay of Ponta Malongane and is actually a series of small reefs easily dived in a drift current, usually present in the area, Bass City is a comfortable 20 min Boat ride from Ponta Do Ouro, the reef is at an average Depth of  18 to 21 meters and thus easily dived by all levels of experience and you can expect to see most of your tropical reef fish including the inquisitive Potato Bass and Devil Fire fish, Crocodile fish is also spotted on this reef as well as an array of Nudibanchs
 

Pinnacles: A must dive on any trip to Ponta Do Ouro, this site affords you the unique opportunity to dive with the much respected Bull Shark as well as shoals of Hammerhead Shark often spotted, in the summer months these species are more prolific than in the winter period but good sightings are reported on a year round basis, Pinnacles is a series of three rocks found on the verge of a drop off and easily dived by following the contour of the reef. The reef is out to sea from the Malongane bay an approximate 25 min boat ride from Ponta Do Ouro. The average depth ranges from 29 meters to 47 meters and is classified as an advanced dive site.
 

Texas: A rather flat reef, hence the name with loads of juvenile fish forming impressive curtains of movement, easily dived by all levels of experience and is mostly protected from current due to its in-shore positioning, you can expect to see most of your tropical reef fish on this reef to the likes of Moorish Idols, Coachman, Surgeon Fish and the ever popular Anemone fish (two bar clown fish).
 

Mavericks: This is a very narrow reef system forming imposing overhangs with an abundance of shrimp, cleaner shrimp and Nudibanchs with Octopus hiding in the numerous cracks and crevasses changing colour as the diver’s approach, an ideal reef for photography enthusiasts due to the prolific “macro” life found on the reef.
 

Wayne’s World: This advanced dive site with a maximum depth of 25 meters holds the promise of keeping you stunned throughout your dive with Lobster hiding underneath the overhangs to giant Ray’s resting in the sand and Honeycomb eels gaping at the passing divers to turtle feeding on the mineral rich coral reefs, this is what diving is about!

Bread Loaf: A small reef nestled right in the bay of Ponta Malongane offering protection to an array of juvenile reef fish with regular sightings of Whale Shark while on SCUBA.

Kev’s Ledge: It is most probably the most dived site in Ponta Do Ouro next to “Pinnacles” this is due to all the treasures this complex reef system offers the prospective diver, starting with “Riana’s Arch” on the northern most part of the reef offering an impressive swim through with a resident Potato Bass lurking underneath the enclave to the abundant fish life on your drift down to the Southern end of the reef. This reef is best dived over two dives to ensure you don’t miss out on any part of the reef. You can expect to see Giant Ray’s, Black cheek Eels, Honeycomb Eels, Geometric Eels, Devil Fire fish, Clown Fish, Turtle, Parrot Fish, the list is endless, a dive site that will undoubtedly bring back fond memories.
 

Malongane Ledge: Again a more advanced dive giving the diver a true “deep blue” experience on your way down to the ledge, with shoals of game fish passing on your way down and up, you can expect to see Blue and Yellow Fin King Fish, Barracuda and the occasional school of Eagle Ray passing through.

Anchor: This small reef, often used as a starting point for a drift dive to “Shallow Malongane” is relatively protected from current and surge, making it an ideal “try out” dive to sort out buoyancy before drifting to Shallow Malongane and is classified as a “Novice” dive site with depths ranging from 15 to 21 Meters.
 

Aquarium: If sometimes you feel the need to be spoilt for a while without having to work hard for it, you definitely have to dive aquarium, this reef is actually a massive boulder that is completely hollow inside with the most prolific coral growth and fish life within. As you peer through the numerous holes into this rock it truly feels like you are looking into an aquarium and on a sunny day it looks as if someone switched on a light inside, you will stand in awe at the breathtaking beauty of this reef.
 

Shallow Malongane: The resident reef for Ponta Malongane, offering easy diving with the protection offered by the bay and an array of reef fish to please the most ardent of divers, this reef also offers a lot of profile making it very interesting exploring all the overhangs an crevasses.
 

Three Sisters: Normally dived on the same dive as Aquarium and follows a natural North to South drift, these three small reefs offer treasures ideal for photography to the likes of Nudibanchs, Devil Fire fish and an array of macro life.
 

Turtle Creek: Named as such due to the frequency of turtle sightings on this reef, it is a rather flat reef system with profusion of soft and hard coral as well as loads of tropical reef fish, the reef ranges in depth from 14 to 20 meters making it an easy dive for all levels of divers.

Steps: A series of flat rocks with a gully in the middle, hence the name “steps” this large reef system offers large sections of soft coral and great sightings of Octopus, turtle and Geometric and Black Cheek Eels together with tropical reef fish on a easy dive suitable for all certification levels.
 

Crèche: The name says it all, you will find juvenile fish in abundance of this reef huddling close together in the warm water of this shallow, protected reef affording comfortable diving with an easy 10 min boat ride from Ponta Do Ouro. You can also expect to see the occasional Manta Ray drifting in and out of the cleaning station and Whale Shark and Dolphin are often spotted on SCUBA.

Steve’s: A long narrow reef best suited for drift diving and forms a slight overhang on the seaward side of the reef with numerous cleaner shrimp eager to give the diver a “manicure” if you hold still for a while.
 

Ponta Ledge: Again a more advanced dive site with a maximum depth of 36 meters, offering impressive schools of game fish and the occasional Bull shark passing through.
 

Checkers: The calm protected reef often used for training offers an astounding array of reef fish to keep you in awe throughout your dive, be sure to keep an eye open for the ever illusive Octopus hiding in the cracks and crevasses offered by the reef.
 

Doodles: A firm favourite amongst all divers, only a comfortable 5 min boat ride away from Ponta Do Ouro and affording you the best diving possibly imaginable, this small “Y” shaped reef renowned for its friendly Potato Bass, regularly visiting the divers as well as the resident Honeycomb Eel on the Northern part of the reef as well as numerous Blue Spotted Rays camouflaged in the sand next to the reef and hundreds of Devil Fire fish swaying in the surge makes for the most exiting dive ever.

Atlantis: As the name suggest Atlantis looks like building blocks that toppled over and strewn across the bottom with huge fern trees growing from the depths, making Atlantis a truly special experience for the more advanced divers, the reef is just off the point of Ponta Do Ouro making it easily accessible in all conditions.