Sodwana Bay is a beautiful unspoilt jewel on the east coast of South Africa. Situated in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Maputaland Marine Reserve, ongoing and focused efforts are made to protect its integrity from environmental degradation. As a result the pristine reefs in this UNESCO world heritage site feature in the top 10 diving sites in the world.
The bay is composed of several ancient coral reefs that run parallel to the shore at different distances from Jesser Point (the launch point) and are all accessible by boat. The 4000 year old pristine and expansive coral reefs are incredibly biodiverse with around 95 species of coral, and 1200 species of other marine creatures.
The climate is subtropical leading to all-year-round diving conditions and very hot summer beach days. The clear warm waters create ideal living conditions for Humpback and Southern Right Whales and a plethora of sharks. The marine protected area is known for endangered marine megafauna including Whale Sharks, Great White Sharks, Zambezi (Bull) Sharks, hammerhead sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Manta Rays, Orange-Spotted Groupers, Potato Bass, critically endangered Hawksbill, Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles.
Several submarine canyons cut into the edge of the continental shelf, which is very close to the shoreline. It was in one of these that a resident population of Coelacanths was discovered on 27 November 2000.
Sodwana Bay has many fascinating attractions including ancient coastal dunes and forests. Inland are salt and freshwater lakes. The land areas of the Isimangaliso Wetland Parks are home to species of large land animals such as Lions, Elephants, Hippos and Rhinoceros.
Sodwana means ‘little one on its own’ in Zulu (the native local language). While time stands still during your visit, you will fall in love with the remoteness of this untamed and unspoilt African paradise.
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