Scuba diving is a mode of underwater diving where the diver uses a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba), which is completely independent of surface supply, to breathe underwater.
Scuba diving may be done recreationally or professionally in a number of applications, including scientific, military, and public safety roles, but most commercial diving uses surface-supplied diving equipment when this is practicable. Scuba divers engaged in armed forces covert operations may be referred to as frogmen, combat divers, or attack swimmers.
With the exception of Egypt’s world-famous Red Sea dive sites, Africa is relatively unchartered territory for scuba divers – and yet, it is home to some of the most spectacular dive destinations on the planet.
Here are some of the best African destinations to experience scuba diving.
Tanzania
Pemba Island, Tanzania
Tanzania caters to a range of scuba diving interests and experience levels. The spice island of Zanzibar is perfect for new divers, with warm water, good visibility, and an abundance of dive centers offering entry-level courses at competitive prices.
Further north, strong currents and extreme tides make Leven Bank suitable for experienced divers only; and yet huge shoals of pelagic fish provide ample reward for those willing to make the journey.
In the far north, Pemba Island is known for the quality of its reefs, with hard and soft corals creating a home for an incredible diversity of marine life.
Between October and March, those in search of the world’s largest fish will find them at Mafia Island, a seasonal whale shark aggregation site. Inland, Lake Tanganyika is a freshwater paradise complete with excellent visibility, non-existent current, and over 280 species of cichlid.
Egypt
Qesm Sharm Ash Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate
Perched on the shores of the tropical Red Sea, Egypt is something of a scuba diving Mecca. The country’s most obvious attraction is its superb conditions, with average water temperatures of around 79 F/26 C and visibility that often exceeds 130 feet (40 meters).
With over 1,100 fish species recorded (of which nearly a fifth are endemic), the marine life is also astounding. Egypt’s underwater highlights include the pristine reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park, the oldest national park in the country; and the WWII wreck of merchant vessel S.S. Thistlegorm.
The northern Red Sea is littered with other historic wrecks, while the southern reefs of Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone are famous for encounters with the elusive oceanic whitetip shark. The Red Sea is also a good place to spot scalloped hammerheads and pods of friendly spinner dolphin.
Madagascar
Nosy Be, Madagascar
In terms of offshore diving, Africa’s Indian Ocean islands are hard to beat. Madagascar in particular stands out as the location of the world’s third-largest coral reef system.
The reef extends for 185 miles (300 kilometers) along the island’s southwest coast and provides a home for approximately 6,000 marine species. Marine life in Madagascar displays a high level of endemism – meaning that you won’t find it anywhere else in the world. Diving hotspots in Madagascar include the exclusive resort island of Nosy Be on the island’s northwest coast.
Here, beautifully preserved reefs are frequented between October and December by the mighty whale shark and the graceful manta ray, two of the marine world’s most sought-after animals.
There are also stunning reefs (and excellent whale-watching) near the east coast island of Île Sainte-Marie.
Sudan
Sanganeb Reef, Sudan
Sudan may not have Egypt’s infrastructure, but for advanced divers in the know it offers off-the-beaten-track Red Sea diving with fewer crowds and healthier corals than its northern counterpart.
It is primarily a liveaboard destination, with most charters leaving from Port Sudan. It’s also possible to hop on a liveaboard at Port Ghalib in Egypt and travel across the border by boat.
Sudanese diving is all about bucket list megafauna. Sanganeb Atoll Marine Park is famous for its schooling scalloped hammerheads and resident pods of common, bottlenose, and spinner dolphin, while Dungonab Bay supports an important dugong population.
Other highlights include the wreck of the Umbria, an Italian freighter intentionally sunk during WWII with its bombs and ammunition still onboard; and Conshelf II, the underwater habitat built by Jacques Cousteau in the 1960s.
South Africa
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
Unofficially known as the shark diving capital of the world, South Africa specializes in high-adrenalin dive sites. Aliwal Shoal in KwaZulu-Natal is one of the few places in the world where divers can encounter tiger sharks, bull sharks, and oceanic blacktips without the protection of a cage; while the Shoal’s reefs provide a breeding ground for sand tiger sharks in winter.
Further south, Protea Banks boasts strong currents and swirling schools of hammerhead sharks in summer; while Gansbaai, Simonstown, and Mossel Bay all offer cage-diving with great white sharks. Wreck and tec divers will find plenty of sunken ships to explore off Durban, while those looking for a more sedate option will find it in the sleepy dive town of Sodwana Bay.
Located on the border with Mozambique, Sodwana is known for its colorful reefs, abundant tropical fish, and relatively easy dive conditions.
