Ocean Echo SCUBA, Santa Maria Scuba Diving & Dive Sites, Mozambique

Fact Sheet Facilities & what to expect at Ocean Echo SCUBA

• Recently opened independent dive center
• Owned and managed by two PADI Instructors
• Cater mainly to small groups of 6 ➜ 8 divers but can accommodate up to 16 divers
• We tailor each dive trip around your personal needs, the tides and the weather
• Unspoilt reefs
• Currently the only commercial Diver operator based in the area
• We offer SCUBA diving courses from the basics (10+ years of age), PADI Open Water Diver Course to PADI Advanced Open Water & Specialities
• We offer full equipment rental

Other Activities in the Area

• Snorkeling
• Kayaking through the mangroves
• Deep sea fishing
• Shore fishing
• Whale watching
• Dolphin encounters
• Amazing sunsets viewed from the sunset deck on the beach
• Long walks on the beach
• Pansy Islands (at low tide)
• Birding (not guided)
• Elephant reserve Safari
• Travelling Masseuse

We are a small, recently opened independent dive center. Owned and managed by two PADI Instructors. We strive to give our clients a customized, personal experience and cater mainly to groups of 6 ➜ 8 divers, but we can accommodate larger groups upon request. We love nothing more than meeting fellow divers and showing off our beautiful reefs. To find out more about us read our story.

We have a hands on approach and strive to keep our groups small and personal to ensure you have the best experience possible. We plan our launching schedule around the tides, the weather and your needs. You only need to come to the dive center once during your visit to fit gear and sign papers, after that we meet you on the beach at the agreed upon time.

About Us

We had a dream, with a love for adventure and a passion for diving. Now we are living our best life!

We are a husband and wife team, passionate about diving and tired of the rat race.

Both having spent our entire working lives in corporate we decided to hang up our ties, toss away the high heels and simplify our lives.

Having started a small dive club in Johannesburg in 2007 we knew that diving was something that made us really happy, but we also knew it was going to be a lot of hard work. So we started working towards our goal of early retirement and a dream of running a dive center in Mozambique. In December 2021, after a few hit and miss "partnerships" and false starts, we were finally ready to open our doors and welcomed or first "official clients".

We would love to show you our reefs, and introducing people to the strange and fascinating world below the ocean surface. We tailor each dive trip around your personal needs, the tides and the weather.

We can't wait to dive with you!

Dive Sites

The area is relatively unexplored and therefore unspoilt. We are constantly on the lookout for new reefs and diving new areas. If you are interested in joining our explorative dives pop us a message and we will give you details on when the next expedition is and how you can join ... Pssst, I will let you in on a secret, these exploration dives are discounted.

Inhaca Reserve Dive Site

Situated in the Inhaca marine reserve, this reef is a sanctuary for many different species of fish. Perfect for beginners or divers who need to ease their way back into the water after a long sabbatical from diving.

• Max depth 15m
• Shore entry
• 5 minute boat ride

Baxio Danae Dive Site

Due to the distance, we suggest a double tank dive on this reef. There are various dive sites on this reef, no long surface interval necessary between dives.

• Max depth 12 ➜ 15m
• 60 minute boat ride
• Coral reef with wrecks

Baxio De Santa Maria Dive Site

Our deep reef, ideal for spotting sharks, rays and other pelagic species.

• Max depth 26 ➜ 35m
• 15 minute boat ride

Ray Alley Dive Site

Due to the distance, we suggest a double tank dive on this reef. There are various dive sites on the reef. No long surface interval necessary between dives.

• Max depth 12 ➜ 15m
• 30 minute boat ride
• Coral reef dive

Scuba Diving Courses

Discover SCUBA Experience

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) is a short try-diving experience for adults and children aged 10+. This course introduces you to the basics of scuba diving without certifying you as a diver.

Duration: 4 hours

Includes:

• Full gear hire.
• 1 x theory session.
• 1 x Swimming pool session.
• 1 x Inhaca Reserve dive.
• Inhaca diving tax.
• Valid for 14 days

Does not include Inhaca Island Tax
Upon completion of the experience you will be able to do additional Ocean Echo SCUBA instructor supervised dives, to a depth of 12 meters.

PADI Open Water

On successful completion of the PADI Open Water Diver Course, you'll be certified to dive independently up to 18m/60ft, anywhere in the world.

Duration: 3 ➜ 4 full days

The course consists of:

• Online knowledge development, comprising video lessons, knowledge reviews, quizzes, and a final exam
• Confined water dives in a pool (or pool-like environment)
• Open water dives at the Inhaca reserve reef.
• You'll also learn how to assemble and disassemble your own kit, and how to care for it properly.

Includes:

• PADI e-Certification.
• Online e-learning.
• Full gear hire.
• All air fills.
• 5 x pool sessions.
• 4 x Dives sea dives.
• Inhaca diving tax.

Does not include Inhaca Island tax

PADI Advanced Open Water & Specialities

We are able to offer further training to enhance your diving skills and experiences.

The PADI Advanced Open water consists of 5 adventure dives:

• Deep
• Navigation
• 3 x adventure dives

Contact us to discuss your interests and we will customize a package to suit your needs and interests

We also offer a wide variety of PADI specialty courses.
Let us know what you are interested in and we will plan our dives based around your interests and customize your package.

Where are we?

Our little slice of paradise is situated on the tip of the Machangulo Peninsula. Just to the south of Inhaca Island. We are on the main land side of the channel known as Hell's Gate which separates Inhaca from the main land.

To get to us you can either cross the Maputo Bay by boat, or you can drive (4x4 only) by car.

Note: Southern Mozambique is considered a low risk malaria area, please consult your physician.

Option 1: Boat Charter

The quickest and most direct way to visit us, is to charter a private transfer boat, or a slightly cheaper option, jump a "public charter shared boat" heading to Santa Maria. There are a number of different companies that one can use.

These charter boats leave from either Maputo Marina or Porto De Pesca and come directly to Santa Maria, about 40km, they usually drop you off as close as possible to your accommodation.

Some lodges can arrange a transfer for you and some will even do the transfer themselves - chat to your lodge to discuss your options.

You can park your car at the port for a nominal daily fee. It is generally very safe as they have guards watching over the cars.

Option 2: Ferry

There is a public ferry that leaves from Catembe ferry pier in Maputo and goes to Inhaca. It will drop you off at the Inhaca village. You can park your car at the Afrin hotel for a nominal daily fee. It is generally very safe as there are guards watching over the cars. Once the ferry arrives at Inhaca you disembark onto a "Banana boat" which transfers you to the Island. Make sure to have a 100Mzn to pay for this.

Once on the Island you can either:

Catch a local boat from Inhaca pier to Santa Maria.

OR

a 30 minute car transfer to the "Reserve" on the south end of the Island where you will be met by a pre-arranged Banana boat who will transfer you to the main land aka Santa Maria. Usually your accommodation will assist you with the final transfer boat. See below for contact details for people who can assist you with the car transfer.

Victor: + 258 87 915 9942
Amos: + 258 84 533 5568

Option 3: Drive

By road, through the Maputo special reserve aka Maputo Elephant reserve.

On the Maputo - Ponta road, 70KM south of the Katembe bridge (40km North of the Farazul / Kosibay border post) you turn off the tar road and enter the park at the Futi Gate (NB - The DeGala (Southern Gate) is closed).

The road is a total of 67km of thick, soft sand and requires a high clearance 4x4 vehicle. 39km through the Elephant reserve and 28km beyond the reserve through rural villages.

The drive can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours.

Ocean Echo SCUBA 2024 - 2025 Rates: *Rates are subject to change without prior notice

Do the Calculation From Mt2650 Per Person Sharing:

Based per person for at least 2 people diving in the Inhaca Reserve. See our rates table for more information.

Reminder, there's a handy calculator at the bottom left-hand side of your screen (under 'Useful Tools' if you're on a mobile device)

Terms and Conditions

General

1. All divers are required to sign a Liability release form prior to their first dive.
2. All divers must present proof of dive certification prior to their first dive - No Exceptions. We are only able to check PADI qualifications online.
3. If you have a valid dive qualification but have not dived for over 6 months, you will be required to complete a refresher course prior to your first dive.
4. Divers under 18 must have their indemnity form signed by their legal guardian. If the legal guardian will not be present on the day of the dive, they must request a copy of the indemnity form at the time of booking, so that it is signed prior to the dive.
5. Parents are required to be present during any activity with children under the age of 13.
6. All dives must be paid prior to departure.
7. Dive package prices do not include reef tax, cylinder hire, gear hire or surcharges for long distance reefs - unless otherwise stated.
8. Dive courses are to be paid in full prior to arrival or start of the course - No Exceptions.
9. A 5% levy is payable with all credit card and foreign currency payments.

Cancellation Policy

1. Dive credits (refunds) will only be issued for valid medical reasons or if the dive is cancelled by Ocean Echo SCUBA.
2. Should you cancel your dive on the day of the dive, you will forfeit the entire dive fee. No refund will be given unless it's due to medical reasons and you can provide proof, e.g. a medical certificate.

Our Location Distances and Map Location of Ocean Echo SCUBA in Santa Maria, Mozambique

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