Resort Diving

Updated April 13, 2022

This is the one hundred and seventy-sixth in a series of reviews of the best diving destinations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on the Channel Islands National Park, California.  In addition to this series on diving destinations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you been diving in Channel Islands National Park before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Channel Islands National Park Diving

Background

The Channel Islands National Park, designated such in 1980, is off the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties north of Los Angeles, California.  It consists of five of the eight Channel Islands and includes Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa Islands.

When the islands were first observed by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 there were 2,000-3,000 indigenous Chumash people living on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel Islands but evidence of human habitation dates back to 37,000 years ago.

Animal habitation on the islands is not as rich as on the mainland with mostly birds and bats and 3 endemic mammals, the deer mouse, spotted skunk, and the Channel Island fox.  Otherwise, scrub jays, barn owls, American kestrels, horned larks, meadowlarks, harbor seals, sea lions, and sea otters can be seen on land, along with gray and blue whales that seasonally pass through the waters which in all have over 2,000 species of plants and animals.

While in recent years around 370,000 visit the Park’s tourist center in Ventura annually, only 30,000 touch shore on the islands, with another 60,000 cruising by boat while staying onboard.  Limited camping and hiking are allowed onshore with kayaking through sea caves, snorkeling, spearfishing, and scuba diving popular tourist activities.

The islands have no stores, food, or medical services, and not all have drinking water.

For additional information on the park islands, please go to Wikipedia-Channel Islands National Park.

Undersea World

The Channel Islands are situated from 11-60 miles (18-96 kilometers) offshore.  Conditions and subsea terrain vary from island to island with sandy plains, rocky reefs, pinnacles, arches, and deep-sea canyons, to go with cold and warm currents and upwelling which influence the development of different marine life from island to island.

San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands receive cold water from the California Current coming south from the Gulf of Alaska.  This has influenced the development of cooler water species more like what you would expect to see off the coastline of Oregon and Washington State.  The Southern California Counter-Current brings warm water along the coastline from Baja California to Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and Santa Cruz Islands that encourages more tropical species like moray eels, spiny lobsters, and Garibaldi fish.  In addition, upwelling around San Miguel and Santa Rosa Island in Spring and Summer brings cold nutrient-rich water which serves as a base for a complex food web that is available to nourish pelagics and megafauna like blue whales.

The encrusting and attached marine life is rich with giant kelp and a variety of plants, sea anemones, hydrocorals, sponges, and sea fans.  Macro critters to delight photographers include sea stars, giant sea snails, Spanish shawl nudibranchs, sea hares, abalone, brittlestars, California spiny lobsters, warty sea cucumbers, two spot octopuses, and rock scallops.  There is also a rich selection of fishes to look for like calico bass, giant sea bass, blue rockfish, California sheepshead, horn sharks, blacksmith perch, bat rays, big schools of sardines and anchovies, and mackerel to go with resident sea otters, California sea lions, harbor seals, and elephant seals.  Pods of dolphins are common and seasonally gray and blue whales make an appearance.

In addition, there are a number of wrecks to explore like the deep plane wreck and the shallow paddlewheel wreck near Anacapa Island, and many others.  Quite a few are older, historic wrecks and fairly well deteriorated.

Seasons and Conditions

• Diving is possible all year in the Channel Islands National Park.  Conditions are considered best in the summer and fall.
• The islands have a Mediterranean climate characterized by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers with average air temperature highs of 65-75°F (18-24°C).  The warmest months are July through October and the coolest December through March.
• The water temperature annual range is 52-76°F (11-24.5°C) on the surface.  Thermoclines are possible which can take the temperature at depth 11-13°F (6-7°C) lower.  The warmest time is from July through October and the coolest from February through June.  San Miguel Island tends to have cooler temperatures than the other islands dipping below 50°F (10°C) at times.  A 5mm wetsuit will be adequate for some divers when the water is at its warmest.  At its coolest, a 7mm wetsuit or drysuit with hood and gloves is advised.
• Currents are variable and can be strong at times on some sites.  Surge and swell can also be significant.
• Visibility is variable from season to season and island to island.  Generally, it is in the range of 30-50 feet (9-15 meters).   The best visibility is best from July to December with increases to 60 feet (18 meters) possible in September and October.
• There are sites suitable for all levels of diver from beginner to advanced levels.  Several dive shops are in operation in Ventura and Santa Barbara conducting 1-3 day guided boat diving trips to the islands.  They also offer a range of scuba diving classes, equipment rental, sales, and service.

For my reviews and information about cold water gear please click on the following post:

• Best Cold Water Scuba Diving Equipment

Other California Dive Sites

There is great diving at some other nearby California areas.  Here are my reviews:

• Scuba Diving Monterey Bay California
• Catalina Island Scuba Diving
• Best Scuba Diving San Diego California

Selected Channel Islands National Park Dive Sites

Santa Barbara Island

• Sutil Island: 20-90 feet (6-27 meters), just southwest of Santa Barbara Island, undulating terrain of channels, canyons, plateaus, and walls, pristine reef with kelp forests, purple hydrocorals, schools of white bass, and bat rays, site of a sea lion rookery in the southeast, elephant seals rest onshore near Webster Point, surge is possible in the shallows, suitable for experienced levels

Anacapa Islands

• Winfield Scott Wreck: 5-35 feet (1.5-10 meters), north of middle Anacapa Island, a gold rush steamer sunk in 1853, much deteriorated wooden wreck, artifacts like coins and pieces of brass still remain and may not be removed, suitable for all levels
• Cat Rock: 30-90 feet (9-27 meters), south of Anacapa, can be dived shallow or deep, lots of kelp and undulating topography, marine life has rebounded greatly from the old days of overfishing and gill nets, look for a variety and abundance of fish including huge giant sea bass to 500 pounds (227 kilograms), current is possible, suitable for all levels
• Landing Cove: 60 feet (18 meters) maximum depth, dock and landing area for Anacapa Island, historically well protected, very rich marine life around the dock and wall opposite the dock, huge red urchins, fat abalone, lobster, kelp bass, sea stars, gorgonians, sandy areas have sea pansies, sand stars, sea pens, and halibut, beware of boat traffic, suitable for all levels

Santa Cruz Island

• Gull Island: 15-120 feet (5-37 meters), three small islands a half-mile south of Santa Cruz Island, several sites with shallow reefs surrounded by kelp and deep slopes to 120 feet (37 meters) and then dropping off to the ocean depths, there are boulders and canyons, look for a wide variety of marine life including purple hydrocorals, octopus, lobsters, and playful juvenile sea lions, conditions are variable with winds, currents, surge, and poor visibility possible (though visibility is usually good), suitable for experienced levels

Santa Rosa Island

• Johnson’s Lee: shallow slopes to the depths, a cove on the north lee side of Santa Rosa Island, undulating terrain with sandy channels, dense marine life with many plant species, limpets, orange puffball sponges, tunicates, scallops, bryozoa, lobster, crabs, urchins, abalones, and a variety of fish, some schooling, interesting for the macro photographer and night diving, strong currents are possible offshore and swell closer in, suitable for all levels depending on conditions
• Aggi Wreck/Talcott Shoals: 10-70 feet (3-21 meters, to the northwest of Santa Rose Island, the shoal is traversed by the 265-foot (81-meter) three-mast Aggi, a steel cargo ship that sunk in 1915 with a cargo of beans and barley, broken apart and scattered, parts of the structure are in place and have joined with the reef, suitable for all levels

San Miguel Island

• Wilson Rock:  20-70 feet (6-21 meters), two miles (3.2 kilometers) from San Miguel Island, Wilson Rock breaks through the surface to a height of 20 feet (6 meters), from the rock it slopes to a plateau with canyons, lots of small orange and pink club-tip anemones, purple and pink hydrocorals, a three-foot algae called the southern sea palm, plate-sized scallops, and lots of fish, suitable for all levels
• Wyckoff Ledge: 10-100 feet (3-30 meters), on the south or lee side of San Miguel Island, small seamount topping at 10-15 feet (3-5 meters), rocky top with white-spotted rose anemones, palm kelp, and many nudibranchs, drop-off on one side to 100 feet (30 meters) to  a sand bottom with a thick forest of kelp, look for sea urchins, abalones, and vermillion rockfish, take care not to get entangled in the kelp, suitable for experienced levels

Things to Do in Ventura California (aside from scuba diving)

Ventura is a friendly, slower-paced, modern seaside city with a long historical tradition.  As the main gateway to the Channel Islands National Park, it is an excellent choice as your base when not diving.  Here is a shortlist of activities and sights to consider during your time away from diving:

Ventura Pier & Promenade, Serra Cross Park, Mission San Buenaventura, Surfers Point Beach, Grant Park Views, Ventura to Ojai Paved Bike Path, Ventura City Hall Architecture, Island Packers Tour of the Islands, Ventura Botanical Gardens, Ventura Food Tours, Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura Harbor Village, Four Brix Winery, Surf Brewery, Emma Wood State Beach, Lure Fish House, Lake Casitas Recreation Area, Ventura County Museum of History & Art.

This video is a nice overview of what awaits.

Channel Islands Transportation, Hotels, and Diving Services

Transportation

• Air – The closest airports to Ventura include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in LA and Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) in Santa Barbara.
• Train – Amtrak serves Ventura and points between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the west coast.  From LA to Ventura a commuter service, Metrolink is available.
• Bus – The Vista bus systems connect cities within Ventura County and there are also municipal bus services within Ventura.  These services are limited.
• Car Rental is available at the airports and online and is the best option for convenient travel around the region if you don’t have your own car.
• Dive shops arrange boat trips from Santa Barbara and Ventura to dive sites on single-day and multi-day dive cruises.
• Island Packers provides half-day to multi-day cruises from Ventura to Channel Islands Harbors on all the islands in the park.
• Truth Aquatics offers one-day and multi-day trips to the islands from Santa Barbara.
• Channel Islands Aviation has one-day and multi-day round-trip voyages for hiking and camping from Camarillo Airport in Ventura County to Santa Rosa Island.

For more complete details on transportation options and tourist information, please go to Wikivoyage-Ventura and Wikitravel-Channel Islands National Park.

Hotels and Diving

Lodging options in the two main access areas of Santa Barbara and Ventura run from $93-$771 per night.  Ventura is the closest of the two cities to the islands and has more dive shops than Santa Barbara that organize 1-3 day dive trips to the dive sites in the islands.  They also offer equipment sales and rental, and a range of scuba diving courses.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange a booking for the lodging.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

• Ventura/Santa Barbara Lodging

Photography in the Channel Islands National Park

With the interesting underwater terrain, encrusting reef life, a variety of fish, macro critters, seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales, and beautiful shoreside targets, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and give scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on scuba diving in the Channel Islands National Park interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

Updated August 21, 2022

This is the one hundred and fifteenth in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you been diving in Sharm el Sheikh before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Scuba Diving Sharm el Sheikh

Background

Situated on the coastal strip at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula at the Gulf of Aqaba’s mouth overlooking the Straits of Tiran is Sharm el Sheikh.  A simple fishing port when the Israelis started occupation in 1967, it began developing as a tourist destination at that time.  After the return of control of the Sinai to Egypt in 1982, the government encouraged further development, and today with a population of 73,000 it is one of the top tourist destinations in the Arab world that sponsors a variety of international conferences and diplomatic meetings.

Undersea World

Located on the point of the Sinai Peninsula, with the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, the Gulf of Suez to the west, and the main body of the Red Sea to the south, Sharm el Sheik is the recipient of nutrient-rich upwelling that nourishes the coral reefs and marine life creating and sustaining one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world.  From this position, the local reefs nearby, and the ones available on day trips to the Straits of Tiran, Ras Mohammed Marine Park, and the series of wrecks further west, including the SS Thistlegorm, are all available to explore and enjoy.

The sites have a compliment of the more spectacular Indo-Pacific species like sea turtles, huge moray eels, reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, eagle rays, manta rays, schooling trevallies, barracuda, batfish, and passing pelagics including tuna, not to mention shoals of reef tropicals, and a fascinating array of macro creatures.  All of these live on a variety of undersea terrain encrusted with a colorful display of soft and hard corals, gorgonians, sponges, and other invertebrates for the most part in near pristine condition.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is a great year-round activity in Sharm el Sheikh. There are two high seasons for tourism, one in March-May and the other in September-November when it can be quite busy onshore and at the dive sites.  Off-season is a little less hectic.

• Air temperature varies significantly throughout the year with daily average highs of 37°C (99°F) in June through August which fall to 22°C (72°F) in January and February.
• Water temperature follows the air temperature fairly closely with highs in July-September of 28°C (82°F) and lows of 23°C (73°F) from January through April.  The rest of the year it is somewhere between the two extremes.  A 5-7mm wetsuit will suit many divers when the water is at its coolest.
• This desert area is dry all year with no rain at all from May through August.
• Currents are often mild but can be strong on some sites for some exhilarating drift diving.
• Visibility is usually in the 21-30 meter (70-100 foot) range all year.  It is possible to find it as good as 60 meters (200 feet) on some sites.

There is diving suitable for all levels of diver. The 75 or more dive shops, many in hotels, offer a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.  Day trips can be arranged to more distant locations.

Liveaboard Diving

There are a number of liveaboard yachts directly cruising the Sharm el Sheik area and to other top sites in the northern and southern sections of the Red Sea.  Here is my review of them and some links to top vessels:

• Best Red Sea Liveaboards – Reviewed and Compared

MY Excellence, Red Sea Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

MS Royal Evolution, Red Sea Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

MY Emperor Elite, Red Sea Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price

Selected Sharm el Sheikh Dive Sites

Local Sites

Twenty or more sites are just off the shoreline of Sharm el Sheikh.

• Ras Bob: shore entry, very shallow site named after a popular local dive instructor/photographer, Bob Johnson, sandy floor with a series of gullies, small caves, and overhangs, highlights include spotted stingrays, crocodile fish, and Napoleon wrasses, suitable for all levels of diver and snorkelers
• Sharks Bay: shore entry to a shallow site with lots of macro critters like octopus, stonefish, Spanish dancers, cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, and sea moths, (but no sharks), a great spot for a night dive, suitable for all levels of diver
• Tower: canyon with a steep wall to 120 meters (394 feet), a drift dive over a rich coral reef with morays, parrotfish, boxfish, trevallies, and more, suitable for experienced level divers
• Amphoras: 12-24 meters (40-80 feet), remnants of a 17th-century Turkish boat that contained amphoras, sandy slope with numerous coral pinnacles, lots of macro critters in the holes and crevices like scorpionfish, nudibranchs, and pipefish, some current possible, suitable for all levels of diver

Tiran

There are numerous interesting sites located in the straits and around Tiran Island.

• Jackson Reef: four underwater shoals, lots of coral and marine life, a great drift dive particularly from August through October when scalloped hammerheads are a possibility, suitable for experienced level divers
• Woodhouse: long narrow reef dove as a drift dive, has a canyon to 30 meters (100 feet), one portion near Jackson reef is known as the washing machine due to the eddying there, good chance of sea turtles, eagle rays, and schooling jacks, currents can be strong, suitable for experienced level divers
• Gordon Reef:  located by the Loullia, a Panamanian cargo vessel, which ran aground in 1981, usually has a drift, metal drums have formed a reef in the mid-section of the reef, many nooks and crannies with macro critters like nudibranchs, a variety of hard and soft corals, octopus, moray eels, eagle rays, and whitetip reef sharks are highlights, suitable for experienced level divers

Ras Mohammed National Park

Created in 1983, this preserve has the reputation of having some of the top dive sites in the world.

• Shark & Yolanda Reefs:  located at the tip end of the peninsula, large reef with several pinnacles, one with a steep wall to around 800 meters (2,635 feet) covered in soft and hard corals, the Yolanda, a 74-meter (243-foot) cargo ship sunk in 1980 full of bathroom supplies, in 1987 she fell off the edge in a storm, with much of the cargo spread around on the reef, strong current is possible, highlight marine life includes crocodile fish, scorpionfish, turtles, grouper, tuna, morays, snappers, batfish, unicornfish, barracudas, and Napoleon wrasse, grey reef, blacktip reef, silky, and tiger sharks are all possibilities, suitable for experienced level divers
• Ras Ghozlani: site with stunning table corals, and an interesting seascape with pinnacles covered in shoals of glassfish, a turtle nesting beach is nearby, suitable for all levels of diver
• SS Thistlegorm Wreck: located northwest of Ras Mohammed, WWII cargo ship sunk by German bombers in 1941, resting upright in 30 meters (100 feet), full of cargo in place including ammunition, trucks, motorcycles, and airplane wings, lots of penetration possibilities, tidal current is possible, suitable for experienced level and technical divers, great depth for nitrox

Things to Do in Sharm el Sheikh (aside from scuba diving)

A lot of what is happening in Sharm el Sheikh relates to the coastal location but there are plenty of historical and cultural sites and activities as well as shopping, eating, and nightlife.  There is a fairly relaxed view regarding alcohol and nightlife with a large number of clubs, bars, discos, and restaurants serving alcohol.

Here are some of the options to consider:

• Sites, Shopping, and Other Activities – Naama Bay, Ras Um Sid Beach, St. Catherine’s Monastery, Mt. Sinai, Shark’s Bay, Sharm Old  Market, Colored Canyon, Nabq Protectorate, Desert Safari, Quad Biking, Soho Square, Parasailing, Swimming with Dolphins, Alf Leila Wa Leila, Aqua Blu & Albatros Aqua Park.
• Food, Drink, and Entertainment – Rangoli, Fares Seafood, Karsha Café, Camel Roof Bar, Fairuz, Pomodoro, Bus Stop Lounge, El Masrien, Sala Thai, Moonlight, El Basha, Pacha.

This video gives you a quick glimpse of some of these and more.

Sharm el Sheikh Transportation, Hotels, and Diving Services

Transportation

• Air – Sharm el Sheikh Airport is the largest in Sinai and handles 10 million international and domestic passengers annually.
• Bus and Car – Buses and cars can travel along the eastern coast from Eilat and points along the way and from Cairo along the western coast.  The trip from Cairo takes 6-8 hours.  The bus station in Sharm el Sheikh is about 1 kilometer from the Peace Road.  From the bus station, there is a taxi service and a less frequent micro-bus service to town.
• Taxi – The cars used are modern but price negotiation and payment can be tricky and deceptive.  If you can get your hotel to pick you upon arrival, that will be less stressful.
• City Bus – There is a fleet of blue and white tuk-tuks that run on fixed routes that serve as a sort of bus service.  Pricing is not generally negotiable and it is much cheaper than taking a taxi.  You can get on and off anywhere on the route.

For more complete details on tourist information, please go here:  Wikivoyage – Sharm el Sheikh

Hotels and Diving

Lodging options in Aqaba start at $16 and run to around $450 per night.  There are more than 75 dive shops in operation offering a full range of services that include equipment rental, diving certification classes, dive guides, and boat tours.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange a booking for the lodging.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

• Sharm el Sheikh Lodging

Photography in Sharm el Sheikh

With the pristine coral reefs, a variety of fish, macro critters, sharks, rays, shipwrecks, and scenic shoreside targets, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and give scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Sharm el Sheikh scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

This photo of White Shark Africa is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Updated April 24, 2022

This is the one hundred and eighty-fifth in a series of reviews of the best diving destinations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on Mossel Bay, South Africa. In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been diving in Mossel Bay before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Shark Diving in Mossel Bay

Background

On the Southern Cape, also known as the Garden Route, Mossel Bay is a medium-sized harbor city of 130,000 situated 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of Cape Town and 400 kilometers (250 miles) west of Port Elizabeth.

With a mild climate and sandy beaches, it was the site of the first landing of the Europeans in South Africa when Bartolomeu Dias went ashore there in 1488.  The Portuguese were followed by the Dutch who erected the first permanent structures and later the British.

It has long been a fishing and farming area whose economy had a major boost with the discovery of offshore gas in 1969.  Today there is strong general commerce and developing tourism which is driving the economy along with gas refining and the aforementioned farming, fishing, and harbor activities.

It is an ethnically mixed area with Afrikaans the first language of 57%, Xhosa of 31%, and English of 7%.

For further demographic, historic, and cultural information, please check Wikipedia-Mossel Bay.

Undersea World

From April through November when great white sharks are more common in the bay is the best time for baited shark cage diving.  At a site only 10 minutes from shore, chumming is used to attract them.  After chumming sharks usually arrive within a few minutes but can take hours with no guarantees.  Then baiting with a line on the surface is used to bring them close so people onboard can get a pretty good view without leaving the deck.  For those that want to get up close and take some photos, they can climb into the cage which is attached to the boat and mounted at the surface.  Check out the video below for a more graphic idea.

The reef dive sites in Mossel Bay are mostly pretty shallow with a nice diversity of terrain including overhangs, gullies, trenches, caverns, swim-throughs, and rocky formations.  On the reef and in the nooks and crannies are a number of attractive macro critters like anemones, crabs, lobster, ghost and long-snouted pipefish, nudibranchs, tunicates, feather worms, and octopus along with sea fans, basket stars, and many species of colorful sponges.

The latitude is such that there are some reef tropicals there with colder water fish.  Look for big schools of zebras and Hottentots, Cape Knifejaws, horsefish, two-tone fingerfins, rockcods, butterflyfish, and small sharks like leopard catsharks, and pyjama and puffadder shysharks.

Other attractions are the possibility of whales and dolphins between June and November, turtles, mantas, and ragged-tooth sharks.  In addition, there are two 19^th century wrecks, the Galera and the Santos.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible year-round in Mossel Bay.  The best time for great white shark cage diving is from April through November.

• Air temperature average daily highs range from 17°C (63°F) in August and September to 23°C (73°F) in January and February.
• The water temperature ranges from 15°C (59°F) in July to highs in January of 22°C (63°F).  Most divers will want a 5-7mm wetsuit when the water is warmest and a drysuit with hood and gloves when it is at its coolest.
• Rainfall is low all year and it rarely is a factor influencing diving.
• Currents are generally mild on sites inside the bay.  Some of the deeper sites may also experience strong currents.
• Visibility can be poor at times and has a range of 4-30 meters (12-100 feet).

Generally, there are dive sites and conditions suitable for all levels of divers.  The dive shops are fully equipped to provide a range of training, equipment rental, guiding, and boat tours.  One shop currently is doing the great white shark cage diving near Shark Island about 10 minutes from the dock.

For information on cold water scuba gear, please check my post:

• Best Cold Water Scuba Diving Equipment

Indian Ocean Liveaboards

None of the major liveaboard yachts travel to Mossel Bay.  However, there are quite a few that cruise the relatively nearby Madagascar and Seychelles dive sites.  Please click here for my reviews:

• Best Diving Vacations – Madagascar Liveaboards
• Seychelles Best Scuba Diving Holidays

SY Sea Bird, Seychelles Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price & Details

MV Galatea, Madagascar Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price & Details

For my reviews of some other top Southwest Indian Ocean diving destinations, please check these posts:

• Shark Cage Diving Gansbaai South Africa
• Scuba Diving Cape Town South Africa
• South Africa Scuba Diving Port Elizabeth
• Protea Banks Diving South Africa
• Aliwal Shoal Scuba Diving South Africa
• Diving Sodwana Bay South Africa
• Best Diving Mozambique Reviewed
• Scuba Diving Mombasa Kenya
• Zanzibar Scuba Diving Review
• Scuba Diving Mauritius Review
• Scuba Diving Reunion Island

Selected Mossel Bay Dive Sites

Santos Reef: 2-8 meters (6-25 feet), off the edge of a swimming beach, small walls with sea fans, feather worms, basket stars, sponges, schools of blacktail, Red Romans, octopus, and sand dollars, suitable for all levels

Santos Wreck: shallow site, 1874 ship that ran aground in a storm, mostly broken apart and covered in sand, the chain, mast, and anchor are still visible, suitable for all levels

Mitch’s Reef: 2-8 meters (6-25 feet), huge orange sponges, fields of seagrass, and big Red Romans are the main attractions, suitable for all levels

Phluffy Reef: 17 meters (56 feet), known for the nicest corals in the area, look for several species of sea fan, and basket stars, suitable for all levels

Dolosse: shallow shore entry site, coral-encrusted concrete structures supporting the harbor walls, look for crabs, crayfish, octopus, Cape Knifejaws, rockcods, butterflyfish, schools of blacktails and strepies, and long-snouted and ghost pipefish, shark feeding is also done to attract small leopard catsharks, and puffadder and pyjama shysharks, suitable for all levels

Sponge Reef: 22-25 meters (72-82 feet), good site for macro critters, suitable for experienced levels

Windvogel Reef: 33 meters (108 feet), a large colorful reef with a system of overhangs, crevices, canyons, and caverns, look for big schools of Hottentots and zebras, strong currents and surge are possible which can bring in pelagic fish, sharks, and seals, suitable for experienced levels

Mossel Bay Lodging, Transportation, and Dive Shops

Transportation

• Plane – The closest major airport is George Airport (GRJ) 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of downtown Mossel Bay.  It has scheduled connections to Cape Town International Airport, Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, and Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport.  Taxi and transit service is available at the airport.
• Minibus taxi service is available to Cape Town and to points along the Garden Route.
• Car rental from a variety of name-brand agencies is available online, at the airport, and in Mossel Bay.

For further details on transportation and tourist information, please check Wikivoyage-Mossel Bay.

Lodging and Dive Shops

There are a handful of dive centers in operation in Mossel Bay offering full services including equipment rental, dive courses, guiding, and boat dive cruises.   Currently, there is one specializing in great white shark cage diving.  The more than 70 lodging options in Mossel Bay run from $23-$122 per night.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange the booking for accommodations.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

• Mossel Bay Lodging

Things to do in Mossel Bay (aside from scuba diving)

With a history of western contact dating to the fifteenth century, the natural scenic beauty, and outdoor sports and adventure activities, there is a lot to take in.  Here is a shortlist of some of the highlights to look into:

Parasailing, Tandem Skydiving, Pinnacle Point Golf Course, Sandboarding, Surfing, Hike St. Blaize Lighthouse and Oystercatcher Trails, Diaz Express Train Ride, Wine Tasting, Diaz Waterpark, Big 5 African Safari, Mountain Biking, Boat Ride to Seal Island, Mossel Bay Beach, Ocean Views from the cliffs in the southern part of town, Market at Hartenbos Beach, Bartholomeu Dias Museum Complex, Café Gannet, Carol Ann’s, Kaai 4 Braai Restaurant.

This short video gives a small taste of what awaits you in Mossel Bay.

Photography in Mossel Bay

With the interesting undersea terrain, beautiful corals, sponges, gorgonians, a variety of fish, sharks, and scenic natural and historical sites, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Mossel Bay scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:   >>comments<<

Updated November 15, 2022

This is the thirty-fourth in a series of reviews of the best scuba diving destinations worldwide.  In this post, the focus is on Bonaire.

In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard dive locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards / Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been diving on Bonaire?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can u

Best Scuba Diving Bonaire Netherlands Antilles

Background

One of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), Bonaire, with a population of less than 20,000 is situated 50 miles (80 km) offshore from Venezuela.  One of the Leeward Antilles outside of Hurricane Alley, it has a dry climate and an area of 111 square miles (288 square kilometers).  The territory includes the treeless unpopulated Klein Bonaire islet, with its white sandy beaches, to the west.  Kralendijk is the capital, and the only other town is Rincon.  Bonaire is a Special Municipality of the Netherlands and 80% of the population are Dutch nationals.  Four languages are spoken with Papiamento, a Creole language, spoken by 75%. Other languages used are Dutch, English, and Spanish. Most can speak two of them.  The original Arawak Indians disappeared long ago.

Simplifying the geology a bit, Bonaire is a coral reef that has been pushed up from out of the sea.  The northern part is mountainous and the southern flat, with large saltwater areas used for salt production.  Besides the salt business, the economy is based on tourism and Venezuelan-owned oil storage and shipment facilities.  Bonaire is known for its flamingos, donkey sanctuary, and the endangered yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot.  For more demographic, geographical, and cultural information on Bonaire, click here: Bonaire (Wikipedia)

Undersea World

Most of the 89 or more dive sites are on the leeward (western) side and can be accessed from shore.

Bonaire has a narrow fringing reef starting close to the shoreline that continues to a depth of 200 feet (60 meters).  There are 57 species of hard and soft corals, which occupy different depth zones.  In the shallows, predominating corals are elkhorn, staghorn, boulder star hard corals, and gorgonians.  After the drop-off, boulder star and lettuce corals dominate. At depth, there are more plate corals like great star and blushing star corals.  Also, black corals and very sizable tube and barrel sponges are numerous.  The entirety of the reef around the islands is part of and under the protection of the Bonaire Marine Park and silt-free clear water makes a pristine and beautiful scene.

While not known for large fish, tarpon, barracuda, nurse sharks, and grouper are common with the occasional eagle or manta ray, or whale shark.  Pods of dolphins are often sighted and there are 3 species of turtle (hawksbill, green, and loggerhead).  Other invertebrate highlights include sea slugs, fire corals, giant anemones, sea cucumbers, seahorses, octopus, squid, crabs, and shrimp, and fish life includes tangs, sergeant majors, Creole wrasse, triggerfish, butterflyfish, trumpetfish, and angelfish.  In all there are 350 species of fish and also a few wrecks to explore.  Most of the sites are marked with a yellow rock or buoy.

There is not a lot of current on the west side and sites are suitable for all levels of diver.  Many divers rent gear and take a 4-person pick-up truck from their hotel or condo and with their buddy cruise along the shoreline to the desired site.  This is not to the exclusion of approaching sites from offshore by boat.

Seasons and Conditions

It is warm year-round and relatively dry with a rainy season from the end of October to the end of January. Even then, there is not much rain.

Summer temperatures run from 80-88°F (31.7-26.7°C).  In winter the range is 76-85°F (24.4-29.4°C).

Water temps are correspondingly warm at 78-84°F (25.6-28.9°C) with the lowest in January and February.

Visibility is excellent at 100-150 feet (30-45 meters).

Bonaire is situated outside of the usual route of hurricanes and is not usually affected much by those in the region.

There is not normally much current or surface chop on the west side where most of the sites are located.  On the northern and southern tips and the eastern Atlantic side, current and chop can be greater.

Liveaboard Diving

Bonaire is not an area renowned for liveaboard diving, but there are many cruises in other areas around the Caribbean.  Below are several great yachts to check out:

Avalon II, Jardines de la Reina Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price & Details

Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Turks & Caicos Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price & Details

Bahamas Master, Bahamas Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price & Details

Belize Aggressor III, Belize Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price & Details

For reviews of diving in other Caribbean locations, please check out these posts:

• Scuba Diving in Islamorada Florida
• Scuba Diving on Key West Florida
• Best Scuba Diving Key Largo Florida
• Scuba Diving West Palm Beach Florida
• Ft. Lauderdale Scuba Diving
• Scuba Diving St. Barts
• Scuba Diving St. Eustatius
• Scuba Diving in Saba
• Scuba Diving St Kitts and Nevis
• Best Scuba Diving St. Martin
• Scuba Diving Ambergris Caye Belize
• Best Guadeloupe Scuba Diving
• Anguilla Scuba Diving
• Scuba Diving in Antigua and Barbuda
• Best Scuba Diving Jamaica
• Scuba Diving Cuba Best Dive Sites Cuba
• Best Cuba Scuba Diving Liveaboard Jardines de la Reina
• Scuba Diving the Dominican Republic
• Best Scuba Diving Panama
• Banco Chinchorro Diving Mexico
• Scuba Diving Playa Del Carmen
• Scuba Diving Tulum Mexico
• Cozumel Scuba Diving Review
• Scuba Diving Cancun Mexico
• Best Scuba Diving Puerto Rico
• Scuba Diving St Vincent and the Grenadines Review
• St. Lucia Scuba Diving Review
• Turks and Caicos Scuba Diving Review
• Best US Virgin Islands Vacations Scuba Diving
• Best Trinidad and Tobago Vacations Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Beach Vacations Curacao Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Diving Destinations Aruba
• Best Tropical Island Vacations Dominica Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Scuba Diving Los Roques Venezuela
• Barbados Scuba Dive Vacations
• Grenada Scuba Diving Review
• Best Scuba Diving Caribbean – Martinique
• Best British Virgin Island Diving Liveaboard
• Best Bahamas Liveaboard Scuba Vacations
• Best Belize Dive Trips & Cocos Island Diving

Selected Bonaire Dive Sites

1,000 Steps: 20-100 feet (6-30 meters). 64 (not 1,000) steps down to the entry, star corals look like a pagoda under the boat mooring, lots of macro life inside including sergeant major males tending their nests, hawksbill turtles, manta rays, occasional whale sharks, beginner level

Hilma Hooker: 25-100 feet (18-30 meters), 235-foot (72-meter), cargo vessel sunk in 1984 on the southern coast in the sand channel between the double reefs, on the starboard side, top at 60 feet (18 meters), encrusted in algae and sponges, wrasses, sergeant majors, tarpon in and out of the cargo holds, brown garden eels in the sand with sand tilefish, experienced level

Karpata: 20-100 feet (6-30 meters), huge ship anchors embedded in coral, elkhorn corals stretching from 10 feet (3 meters) to the surface, beautiful wide-angle vistas, steep slope to 22 feet (7 meters), continues sloping to 120 feet (35 meters), big parrotfish, turtles, gorgonians, schooling blue tangs, huge green morays, lobster, lionfish, all levels

Rappel: north end site off of a limestone cliff, shallow bank, a sharp descending reef with overhangs small caverns, rich corals, sponges, sea fans, seahorses, frogfish, slender filefish, lettuce slugs, schools of creole wrasse, black durgons, barracuda, mantas, boat access only, all levels

Bari Reef: 30-100 feet ( 9-30 meters), great biodiversity, many fish species, no current, tarpon, seahorses, octopus, unusual sponge structures, all levels

Salt Pier: 15-50 feet (5-15 meters), encrusting sponges and corals provide excellent habitat for macro life, green turtles in the shallows, queen angelfish, great night dive, all levels

Red Slave: 20-80 feet (6-24 meters), offshore from a set of historical slave huts, stronger surf, and currents possible, horse-eye jacks, turtles, baitfish, bigeye scads, eagle rays, barracuda, grouper, advanced level

Willemstoren Lighthouse: 20-80 feet (6-24 meters) southern tip site with strong currents, big gorgonians, elkhorn coral and coral bommies, lots of soft coral, schooling fish, turtles, tarpon, green morays, queen and oceanic triggerfish, eagle rays, seahorses, nudibranchs, pods of dolphins, advanced level

The Forest (off Kein Bonaire): 25-100 feet (18-30 meters). gorgonians in the sandy shallows, soft corals, black coral colonies, cave at 75 feet (22 meters), morays, loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, eagle rays, French angelfish, all levels

The White Hole/Turtle City: 15-100 feet (5-30 meters), east coast site off Lac Bay, choppy seas, 5,000 square meter sandy hole surrounded by reef walls on all sides, schools of tarpon, nurse sharks, large conchs, sea fans, up to 20 green turtles, at the reef drop off are sea fans, coral towers, huge barrel, and stovepipe sponges, moray eels, eagle rays, oceanic triggerfish, mantas, mola mola, advanced level

Bonaire Photos

With the macro life, clear water, beautiful, diverse coral reef, and lots of fish, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

Bonaire Transportation, Lodging, & Dive Shops

Transportation

The Flamingo International Airport provides access to KLM, Delta, United, and TUI Netherlands flights.

On the island people often rent cars, small trucks, motorcycles, scooters, or bicycles to get around.

Taxis are widespread and water taxis are also available.

Lodging & Dive Shops

Many of the available hotels are located in the Roseau area and start from $50/night on up.

As for diving, there are several dive shops, most of which are in the southwest area near Roseau, with some located in hotels.  One of the Bonaire dive hotels is the Anchorage Hotel.

This website can arrange a booking and is a good source for the available options all coming with the best price guarantee.

• Bonaire Hotels

Bonaire Things To Do (aside from scuba diving)

Most of the activities on Bonaire have to do with nature.  Exploration and hiking on the shoreline, windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching at the flamingo breeding grounds or Washington-Slagbaai National Park are all popular.  The mountains in the north and salt lakes in the south are both intriguing.  The long shoreline has lots of places to duck in for a drink or something to eat and Bonaire’s culture is accessible in the two cities where you can visit markets, shops, and restaurants.

This video provides a personal look at many of these and more.

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Bonaire scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have diving there.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<