FAQ’s

Yes, we have sharks here! Southern Mozambique is recognized as a global hotspot for shark and ray species richness, endemism and evolutionary distinctiveness. The main species we see are Hammerhead Sharks, Silvertip Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks, can occasionally see Tiger Sharks and Bull Sharks, and can very rarely see Great Whites (only 3 sightings in past 4 years). We always dive safely and professionally, to avoid disruption of the sharks. Most are harmless and linger for a few minutes before swimming off, and always make for a memorable dive. Though we can’t control the sharks behaviours, we haven’t had any sharks attacks during diving, and always make for an exciting dive. Sharks shouldn’t stop you from wanting to dive here!

Humpback Whale season is from June to end of September. They can also be seen sparsely well into November and even into December. Early October is the last month we expect to see Humpback Whales.

As with anything, we can’t guarantee sightings, however, it is very likely (99.999999999999999999%) that you WILL see a Humpback Whale during whale season, whether from the land or out of the boat. You can even sit at our restaurant and see the Mama and Baby Whales swimming and playing in the shallows. It is normal here to see them breaching, tail slapping the water, waving and spy hopping. We often hear their whale songs during scuba dives too. It is a beautiful sight to see, and a memory you will take home with you and keep forever.

This always depends on the group size that is diving, however, there is always a minimum one PADI Professional diving with you, whether they be an Instructor or Divemaster. We will always decide how many staff need to join the dive, depending on number of passengers and experience level, as well as taking into consideration the oceans conditions, the different dive levels within the group, and the dive plan. You will always be in safe hands and have enough staff on the dive, to lead, sweep and help the dives. Here in Inhambane, we always dive safely and conservatively.

If you will be diving with us, we can pump your cylinder for free to either air or Nitrox, depending on your preference and certification. We do not pump cylinders of those who aren’t diving with us.

It depends on the day and month, but generally we dive in small groups of around 2-4 people. During quiet season, it is possible to be the only diver on the boat. Other times, we dive in bigger groups, which can be up to 13 people if doing single dives. For double dives, we never dive in groups larger than 8. There could be times where you are sharing the boat with other customers or a dive group. However, in general we keep the dive groups small and personal, as it is easier to manage, keeps the boat area freer, and allows for a more leisurely and relaxed experience for our customers and us. We provide exclusive diving experiences here at SEE Activity Center, and generally there is never more than 3 boats out on the water at the same time.

We do not have wrecks here in Inhambane, so we do not offer wreck dives. Currently at the moment we do not offer night dives.

No. We ONLY do recreational diving here, to the maximum depth of 40 metres.

The Instructor(s) and Divemaster(s) are EFR trained (Emergency First Response), and participate in regular training. For every activity, we always bring a first aid kit. For dive activities, we always bring a first aid kit, emergency oxygen, oxygen mask and boat phone. We are always prepared, and always dive safely and conservatively, as the hospital services here aren’t the best, and the closest decompression chamber is over 1000km away in Durban, South Africa. Safety is always our priority.

Whale Sharks – Mozambique is one of the best places in the world for diving, due to its perfectly untouched environment and insane biodiversity of macro life. It isn’t busy with boat traffic and is one of the 3 places in the world which boasts having whale sharks all year round (not seasonally like the rest of the world). They are often found here cruising along the surface, eating plankton which is when we are able to snorkel with them, though they have been spotted during scuba diving several times too. Whale Sharks are a protected species in Mozambique since January 2021. There is a huge amount of Whale Shark research in Mozambique which has been ongoing since the past 20 years. In fact, most of the global information known about Whale Sharks, derives from the research done in Mozambique.

Humpback Whales – A glimpse into the biodiversity of diving in Mozambique (especially Praia da Barra and Praia do Tofo within Inhambane province): As stated above, not only does Barra boast whale sharks all year round (90% confirmed sightings when we do ocean safari activities), but we also have waters teeming with Humpback Whales throughout June to September, though they can be continued to be seen until early-October. The reason for the humpback whales visiting us is due to the mother humpbacks giving birth and using our waters to rest and protect the calves, and are training/preparing their babies to survive in ‘safe waters’ before making a long journey to polar waters. You will see mothers and babies breaching, tail slapping and can hear their whale songs during snorkelling and scuba diving, as well as witness heat runs. Occasionally they pass us underwater when scuba diving (a truly magnificent experience), and their whale songs can be heard loud and clear during water activities too. This means when we are on the boats, we get a close-up view and spend some time with them (again, a truly magnificent experience if there ever was one).

Rays – In terms of additional biodiverse macro life, our Mozambican waters, specifically Barra and Tofo are home to copious amounts of differing species of rays including (but not limited to): Giant Manta, Reef Manta, Mobula (Devil) Rays, Golden Eagle Rays, Blue Spotted Stingrays, Marbled Torpedo Rays, Blotched Fantail Rays, Honeycomb Whiprays, Jenkins Whiprays, Kuhls Stingrays, Spotted Eagle Rays and Patterned Eagle Rays. Research shows that Mozambique boasts the highest population of Giant Manta and Reef Manta within the whole of the African continent. All these rays can be found all year round.

Dolphins – Mozambique is also home to 3 main types of dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Humpback Dolphins and Spinner Dolphins. They are affluent in our waters and are often seen travelling in groups or families. We have over a 95% sighting success rate when doing ocean activities such as ocean safari and is it common to swim with them all year round.

Dugongs – Dugongs are generally found in Vilankulo (4 hour drive) and Inhassoro (5 hour drive) and the surrounding Archipelago islands due to the sheer mass distribution of sea grass (Dugongs favourite food). Dugongs are protected in Mozambique as Dugongs are globally endangered and Mozambique blusters the largest population of Dugongs within the Eastern coastline of Africa. Dugongs live in Mozambique all year round and are not here seasonally. Dugongs and sea grass are protected within the following conservation policies: Bazaruto Archipelago Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA), Conservation Law 2014 (revised in 2017); Law of fisheries 2013; General Regulation on Maritime Fishery Activities (Decree 43/2003); The Forestry and Wildlife Act 1999; (Law No.10/99), Environmental Law 1999; and Decree No. 45/2006 approving the Regulation for the Prevention of Marine Pollution. In 2015, Mozambique prepared a National Strategy and Action Plan of Biological Diversity (2015-2035). The marine reserve (covering more than 17,000 km2) aims to protect the environment and surrounding coral reef system, restoring fisheries, protecting breeding grounds for dugongs, and creating a better quality of life for the people of the region.

Sharks – Mozambique boasts a diversified range of endemic Shark species, with at least 109 species including (but not limited to): Zebra (Leopard) Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Sand Tiger Sharks, Bull Sharks, Silvertip Sharks, Oceanic Blacktip Sharks, Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, Spinner Sharks and more. Mozambique take action within the following conservation policies: Convention on the Conservation of Migratory species of Wild Animals (CMS), Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (Nairobi Convention), Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) and Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). It is common to see sharks during scuba diving and occasionally on the surface during other water activities such as ocean safaris.

Turtles – The Barra and Tofo (general Inhambane) area of Mozambique also boasts 5 main species of turtles (including Leatherback Turtles, Green Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles, Olive Ridley Turtles and Loggerhead Turtles). They are often seen during scuba diving and during ocean safari activities. There are conservation activities taking place throughout Ponto Do Ouro all the way up 2000km of coastline to Cabo Delgado and are protected in all Mozambican marine reserves.

Other – Finally, our beaches in Mozambique boasts oodles of Indo-Tropical reef fish and Gamefish such as Tuna, Giant Trevally, Barracuda, Marlin, Swordfish, Bonito, as well as colourful nudibrancs, scorpion fish, crocodile fish , garden eels, moray eels, cowrie shells, ribbon eels, guitar fish, lobsters, sea apples, potato groupers, octopus, shrimps, sea moths, pipefish, frog fish, stone fish, hawkfish, bannerfish, trumpetfish, clownfish, and much more!

Yes we do! We offer PADI courses from Open Water (Beginner) all the way to Divemaster (Professional), with everything in between, including specialty courses such as Nitrox and Peak Performance Buoyancy, and PADI AWARE courses, which are specialty courses related to protection and conservation of the ocean. We also offer Discover Scuba Diving experiences for those who want to do a try-dive, without committing to a full PADI course.

Of course! We accommodate certified divers, with a little or a lot of experience. We provide equipment rental of everything you will need. We accommodate shallow and deep diving. We only accommodate recreational diving, so please do not ask about decompression diving. Please note, as per PADI standards, if you haven’t dived within the past 6 months of the day of diving, it will be necessary to conduct a ReActivate Scuba Review in the pool before heading to the ocean to dive, in order to ensure your skills are refreshed and at the peak of performance.

Of course! As someone who has never dived, you have 2 options. You can either begin your dive education and make your way to becoming a certified diver by completing the PADI Open Water course – this way you can dive anywhere to a maximum depth of 18 metres. Or if you want to do a ‘try dive’ and you don’t want to get qualified, you can do the Discover Scuba experience with us, which means you won’t gain certification, but you will experience everything a diver does, such as the equipment use, practising in the pool and going into the ocean for a real dive to see all of the wonder of the coral reefs! Whatever your decision is, we’ve got you covered, just drop us a message to enquire further or to make a booking.

Not a problem. As you aren’t certified, the first course we would encourage you to do is the PADI Open Water course, which is your first step towards growing as a diver. Upon completion of the PADI Open Water course, you will be a certified PADI diver, allowed to dive anywhere in the world to a maximum depth of 18 metres. You are welcome to complete other courses once you have completed the PADI Open Water course. Speak with us on email or Whatsapp to find out more details, and to make a booking. We also offer Discover Scuba Diving experiences for those who want to do a try-dive, without committing to a full PADI course.

If you haven’t dived in over 6 months, as per PADI standards, it is necessary to conduct a ReActivate Scuba Review with us. If you have dived sooner than 6 months, but want the refresher, want to build up your confidence, or want to get into the pool to practise before you go into the ocean, you are welcome to do so.

*A ReActivate Scuba Review is not necessary for PADI professionals*.

Us PADI Instructors have a special PADI account, where we can allocate your e-learning directly to your PADI account, in which you’ll be notified via email. A $100 deposit must be paid to access your e-learning, if you are planning to begin the theory before you arrive. If you are an inhouse guest of Sentidos Beach Retreat, and you decide you want to do a course with us upon arrival, the deposit isn’t necessary, and you will have the choice to complete the theory via e-learning or manually using the books and resources we have here (it all depends on how you best learn!) Please speak to us on Whatsapp about the deposit, bank details, course schedule and theory access. No deposits will be paid without liaising with us first. We will coordinate everything, then when you’re ready you can pay the deposit and begin the learning! You can complete the e-learning via any device (phones, tablets, computers and laptops), either on the PADI website or the PADI app, online and offline – which makes it a perfect way to use your airplane time!

Yes, we have Nitrox! We are PADI EANx (Nitrox) Instructors who can teach the specialty, which means you can complete your Nitrox course here with us! We use Nitrox to dive deep dives and when we dive repetitively, and we encourage everyone to be Nitrox certified, as it allows you to make shorter surface intervals and/or dive for longer, allowing for more magical megafauna encounters! We have Nitrox cylinders and the finest compressor of all of Mozambique too, all on site. To use Nitrox, you must complete the course with us OR already be certified.

Our regulators are DIN fitting, so we usually dive like this. But we have adapters for the cylinder, which means they can accommodate YOKE/International fittings too, for those who are bringing their own regulator. Our cylinders can be adapted to accommodate any type of regulator/valve fittings. You are welcome to bring your own regulator if you have one, whether it is DIN or YOKE.

We provide dive packages of a minimum of 10 dives or more. Each dive will receive their Nitrox cylinders for free, per 10 dive package. We can provide dive packages for groups no bigger than 14 people. Message us on Whatsapp or email for more information about how we can tailor a dive package to your trip and about ‘stay and dive’ packages here at SEE Activity Center and Sentidos Beach Retreat.

Yes, our center and activities are family and child friendly. All of our activities can be done as a family of adults and children. Some activities have specific age/weight restrictions, and general ability restrictions (e.g a 4-year-old child cannot kayak alone), but of course the child can still take part in the activity by sharing the kayak with a parent who can paddle/row. All of our activities are child friendly, but for some activities, the child will not be able to do alone, and will need to be partnered with a parent, for safety reasons. For children under 16 years old, direct parental supervision is always necessary during the activities.

We always need to see the child(ren) first before making a decision about their participation, as their size, abilities, behaviour will define whether they are able to complete an activity. Many of our activities include using heavy machinery (such as quad bikes), entering the deep water in the ocean (ocean safari), and launching boats (depending on the waves, it isn’t always easy). Hence why the activity professionals at the center will make a clear judgement call on how/where the child(ren) is better suited, and extra advice we can give you in order to ensure the highest safety of the child(ren).

We are based in Sentidos Beach Retreat which provides babysitting services for an extra cost. This can be arranged at short notice, so your child can play in a safe and supervised environment, while the parents enjoy an activity together. We are very accommodating, but if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us on Whatsapp.

Please bear in mind that during our activities we are exposed to a lot of sun, over long periods of time, which can be dangerous enough for anyone, especially for children. Once we are on the boat, we generally do not return until the end of the activity (or we only return earlier if all the clients agree to it), so you must be honest with yourself about whether your young child can handle this or not. We suggest speaking to us first about family bookings with young children, as we can advise the best for you.

Alcohol cannot be drunk during the activities where you are responsible for children.

Some activities have a minimum age, for safety reasons. Safety and safeguarding are our top priorities.

Ocean Safari – Minimum age is 4 years old

Snorkelling at Sea – Minimum age is 4 years old

Quad Bike Tour – Minimum age is 4 years old

Pansy Island – Minimum age is 4 years old

Kayak Tour in Mangroves – Minimum age is 4 years old

SUP/Surf/Kayak Rental – possible if sharing with a parent. A child alone must be of at least 15 years old, a good swimmer and very comfortable in the water.

Crazy Couch/ Banana Ride – Minimum age is 8 years old

These restrictions could change if the child if very comfortable in water and is a good swimmer. The activities which haven’t been mentioned here do not have applicable age restrictions.**

Though we love animals, unfortunately no pets are allowed here at our center, and they cannot participate in activities, due to safety reasons. The only animals we can be with are the ones we witness during our land and ocean activities.

Only the following specific activities allow the use of alcohol:

Deep Sea Fishing, Pansy Island & Snorkelling Tour, Estuary Boat Cruise, Inhambane Cultural City Tour and Barra Culture Walk. For the ocean activities mentioned, it is prohibited to enter the water to swim if you have consumed alcohol, for safety reasons. If alcohol is consumed, to a point where someone is affected to the extent of losing control of one’s faculties or behaviour, the activity will finish early, and we will return you back to the center. This is for safety reasons. As much as we love fun, safety is our priority.

We accept cash and card payments. The cash currency we accept is USD (only denominations of $50 or more unfortunately), ZAR, MZN and EUR (only denominations of €50 or more unfortunately). We also accept VISA, MASTERCARD and AMEX card payments. Notes cannot be damaged or modified in anyway. There is an ATM 8km away, on the Tofo side of the crossroads, if you need to withdraw before arriving to us. The POS machine is sometimes temperamental with payment via phone (touch and pay). For this reason, we suggest you bring your physical payment card (debit and credit card are accepted), and if possible, a spare payment card, in case the first doesn’t work. VISA cards tend to be more reliable than MASTERCARD so we suggest using VISA. Unfortunately we do not accept E-Mola or M-Pesa payments.

You can fill out an enquiry form on our website, drop us an email at see@sentidosbeachretreat.com, or Whatsapp us on +258 87 722 7272 to make a booking with us, ask us questions or enquire more.

Our cheapest activities are the ‘Snorkelling at Sea’, the ‘Walking Mangrove Tour + Birdwatching’, and Kayak/SUP/Surf board rental.

Yes, WiFi is available throughout the center and retreat, but of course not out on the ocean! The connection is generally strong.

You are welcome to eat at the dive center if you have bought your own food. If you haven’t bought your own food, you are welcome to utilise the on-site restaurant – Paladar, which is part of us here at Sentidos Beach Retreat. It provides a range of different cuisines cooked fresh with local ingredients of Inhambane, a beautiful beach view setting, and impeccable service.

Yes, you are more than welcome to. It gets hot here, so we suggest packing it properly into a cooler bag/box, in order for it to stay as fresh as possible. We also have a fridge here where you can keep your food and drinks inside. You are welcome to bring your own water, drinks and refreshments for throughout the day. Alternatively, we have the onsite Paladar restaurant which provides a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, as well as drinks, hot and cold beverages and alcoholic beverages, with a breathtaking sea view and impeccable service. Our activity center also sells water and alcoholic beverages. During the season, we will also have coconut water available as a refreshing beverage!

All prices include the costs of the activity, full equipment rental/use, uninterrupted access of deep history and cultural of Mozambique with your experienced leader/tour guide, complimentary (and unlimited) water and coconut, coconut water upon arrival or after completion of activity, and transport if it is necessary to begin the activity off site – (such as the kayak tour in the mangroves, horseriding, and E-Bike tour). The PADI course prices include the cost of certification too. The prices of our dives already include the necessary taxes.

We are nestled to the side of the glorious Sentidos Beach Retreat within Praia da Barra, and we’re not far from Barra market, so we are quite easy to find! Once you arrive at Barra market, walk straight on (using the right-hand street), for about 400 metres, until you see our PADI flags waving. Our activity center has large glass windows on the front – you can’t miss it! We are also on Google Maps and TripAdvisor which has our locations pin point to use on a ‘maps’ app. Alternatively, you can ask anyone in Barra where we are and they will be happy to provide directions. Or you can use our coordinates which are on our website, our maps and on the website of Sentidos Beach Retreat. We are easily accessible from Praia do Tofo (15 minutes) and Inhambane City (25 minutes). We are an 8-hour drive from Maputo and a 3.5-hour drive from Vilankulos. If you’re really struggling, just give us a call and we can direct you or come to find you!

The most important thing is for you to bring yourself! We provide water and refreshments, coconut and coconut water, so you will always be refreshed. Depending on the activity (such as Pansy Island + Snorkelling Trip, Deep-Sea Fishing, Whale Watching and Private Boat Rental), we will provide a packed lunch. We also provide towels, sea sickness tablets and have sunscreen here if you need it. We can also provide splash proof phone bags, to use while on the boat, but NOT for underwater/in water. If there are other things you would like to bring you are welcome to bring them. We cannot guarantee we can bring everything on board the boat or kayaks, just the essentials, but the rest you can leave securely at the center, for once your activity is completed. If you want to bring your own waterproof cameras, waterproof phone cases, towels, a spare change of clothes or food, you are more than welcome to. Our course if you have any of your own equipment such as fins, a mask or snorkel, as well as your own scuba diving gear, you are also welcome to bring your own. We suggest bringing your own dive computer, torches and dive knives, as we do not rent these out to clients.

Being comfortable in the water is a necessity, for safety reasons. You are welcome to keep your life jacket on during ocean activities if you aren’t a confident swimmer, but you must be comfortable in water. If you are a weak swimmer/don’t know how to swim, you are welcome to join the activity, (such as our Ocean Safari as you can still see the whale sharks from the boat), but for the duration of the activity we will ensure you do not enter the water. If we deem you are not suitable for the water, you will have the choice to stay on the boat, or not participate in the activity. We do have other activities which do not require knowing how to swim, such as the ‘Kayaking Tour in the Mangroves’, ‘Whale Watching’, ‘Catamaran Trip’ and ‘Dhow Trip’.

You do not need to know how to do anything exactly. You just need to have the trust and confidence in yourself to know what your true level of experience is with things such as water, riding a quad bike, kayaking, fishing, etc. Before every activity we give you a briefing and show/explain what you need to do, so it can be your first time doing anything, we encourage it! However, you must be honest with yourself about your abilities, and not push your limits, especially when it is the first time trying an activity. You will always be accompanied by guides and expert leaders, but it is down to you to know if you will be able to complete the activity or not. If any of the professionals in our team doubt the abilities of someone for an activity, we will vocalise that, and work together to provide the best solution for everyone to be happy, partake, and have fun.

We have Maria and Bruno. Maria is our 5.5 metre long 4-stroke engine RIB (pontoon style boat). Bruno is our 7.4 metre long 4-stroke engine RIB (pontoon style boat). They both are open boats and have the newest modifications to accommodate for diving and snorkelling activities, shade, GPS, sat nav, radios, leather cushioned seats and other fine trimmings. Pontoon is another word for inflatable rubber sides. Here in Inhambane, we launch and beach boats. Launching means we use a tractor to help push the boat into the water, then use the manpower of the staff to push it further into the water. Then when the water is at waist level, we jump onto the boat, and make our way on our journey. There will always be staff to help you get onto the boat. When we beach the boat, we basically secure ourselves with the ropes and straps, and drive really fast onto the beach. When we do this, we come to a sudden and hard stop. Then we quickly jump off the boat so the tractor can pull it out of the water. The launching and beaching procedures can be demanding so please ensure you are prepared to take it on. Children and elderly people can enter the boat while it is still on the beach, and are not expected to the help us push the boat.

We provide all equipment for all activities, land and ocean. We have plenty of sizes of helmets, rash vests, and scuba equipment such as wetsuits, fins, BCD’s, booties, chicken vests, masks, snorkels cylinders (10L, 12L, 15L), and the rest, suitable for big and small people, young and old, heavy and light, tall and short. Your anatomy is welcomed here, and we always do our best to accommodate what isn’t the ‘norm’.

For safety reasons, we only offer quad bikes on our guided tours. These tours are just as fun—if not more so—than renting a quad bike on your own. With our expert guides, you’ll not only enjoy the adventure but also gain valuable insights into the local area and its hidden gems, making the experience even more rewarding.