Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we have sharks here! Southern Mozambique is recognized as a global hotspot for shark and ray species richness. The main species we see are Hammerhead Sharks, Silvertip Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks. We 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. You can view our special offers page to find out about booking a Whale Watching package, which are especially magical for honeymooners and nature lovers.

We can’t guarantee sightings, however, it is very likely (99.999999999999999999%) that you WILL see a Humpback Whale during whale season, whether from land or from 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.

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 – Our waters are 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 mothers giving birth and using our oceans to rest and protect the calves, and are 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). 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 2 main types of dolphins: Bottle nose Dolphins and Humpback 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. They are rarer to see during scuba diving.

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). They are protected in Mozambique as they are globally endangered, and Mozambique blusters the largest population of Dugongs within the Eastern coastline of Africa. The Dugong species live in Mozambique all year round and are not here seasonally.

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 to protect these species within many conservation policies. 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!

You can view our annual Marine Life schedule on our dedicated PADI Travel page.

This always depends on the group size that is diving, however, there is always a minimum one PADI Professional diving with you. They may be a PADI Instructor or a PADI Divemaster. We will always decide how many staff need to join the dive, depending on number of passengers and experience level. We must also take 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 due to the sometimes challenging dive conditions.

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 PADI Instructor(s) and PADI 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.

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.

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 Enriched Air 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. All equipment rental is provided. We accommodate shallow and deep diving. We only offer 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 PADI 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 Diving 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 necessary 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 PADI 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*.

As PADI Instructors, we can allocate your e-learning directly to your personal PADI account, after which you’ll receive access details via email. If you would like to begin the theory before arrival, a $100 deposit is required to activate your e-learning materials. For inhouse guests of Sentidos Beach Retreat who decide to complete a course during their stay, no deposit is necessary. You may choose to complete the theory either through PADI e-learning or manually using our books and learning resources — depending on your preferred learning style. Please contact us first regarding deposits, bank details, course schedules, and theory access. Once everything is coordinated, you can complete the deposit and begin learning. PADI e-learning can be accessed online or offline via phones, tablets, laptops, or computers — making it the perfect way to use your travel time.

Yes, we have Nitrox! We are PADI Enriched Air Instructors who can teach the specialty, which means you can complete your Nitrox course here with us! Enriched Air is useful on deep dives and for repetitive dives, and 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 offer Nitrox cylinders and the finest compressor in all of Mozambique too, all on site. To dive Nitrox, you must complete the course with us OR already be certified.

We provide plenty of dive packages of a minimum of 6 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 & dive packages here at SEE Activity Center and Sentidos Beach Retreat. You can view/download our stay & dive promotional brochure on our diving page, and when you are ready, contact us to make your luxurious dive getaway a reality!

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.**

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.

Though we love animals, unfortunately no pets are allowed here at the activity 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Yes, WiFi is available throughout the center and hotel, 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!

We are located alongside the beautiful Sentidos Beach Retreat in Praia da Barra, just a short distance from Barra Market, making us easy to find. From Barra Market, continue straight along the right-hand road for approximately 400 metres until you spot our PADI flags and glass-fronted activity center. You can also find us easily on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, or by using the coordinates listed on our website and the Sentidos Beach Retreat website. If needed, any local in Barra will gladly point you in our direction! We are approximately 15 minutes from Praia do Tofo, 25 minutes from Inhambane City, 8 hours from Maputo, and 3.5 hours from Vilankulos. If you have any trouble finding us, simply give us a call and we’ll happily guide you.

The most important thing is to bring yourself — we’ll take care of the rest! We provide water, refreshments, fresh coconuts, towels, seasickness tablets, sunscreen, and splash-proof phone bags for boat use (not underwater). For certain activities, such as Pansy Island & Snorkelling Trips, Deep-Sea Fishing, Whale Watching, and Private Boat Rentals, packed lunches are also included. You are welcome to bring personal items such as waterproof cameras, towels, spare clothes, snacks, or your own equipment. Divers may also bring their own fins, masks, snorkels, and scuba gear. Please note that we do not rent dive computers, torches, or dive knives, so we recommend bringing your own if needed. Space on boats and kayaks is limited to essentials, but additional belongings can be securely stored at the center during your activity.

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 don’t need prior experience to enjoy our activities — just an honest understanding of your own comfort level and abilities in areas such as swimming. Before every activity, our team provides a full briefing and explains everything you need to know, so first-timers are always welcome and encouraged. All activities are guided by experienced professionals who are there to support you throughout the experience. However, it is important to be realistic about your abilities and avoid pushing beyond your limits, especially when trying something new. If our team feels that an activity may not be suitable or safe for someone, we will communicate this openly and work together to find the best possible solution, ensuring everyone can enjoy a safe, comfortable, and memorable experience.

We operate two boats: Maria, our 5.5m RIB, and Bruno, our 7.4m RIB — both 4-stroke, pontoon-style boats with inflatable sides. They are open boats, specially equipped for diving and snorkelling, with shade, GPS, radios, cushioned seating, and other comforts. In Inhambane, boats are launched and beached directly from shore. Launching involves a tractor, staff assistance, and a short push into the water before boarding — our team is always there to help you onboard. Beaching involves securing the boat and driving quickly onto the sand, resulting in a firm stop before disembarking. These procedures can be physically demanding, so please come prepared. Children and elderly guests are welcome and may board from the beach without assisting in the launch process.

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.