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Dive Review of Sodwana Bay Lodge in
Africa/Sodwana, South Africa

Sodwana Bay Lodge, Aug, 2003,

by Kerry Rodgers, TX, USA . Report 752.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 2 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Sodwana is where most South African divers receive their open water qualifications and I have dived here multiple times before in the past, all of them being a wonderful experience. However, August was not the right time to be diving here. Even though the sun was shining the weather was cool, the seas were huge and surge was a problem on many of the shallower reefs. The first dive each morning was to one of the further out reefs (20 to 30 minute boat trips), on an inflatable boat, in huge seas - not a fun experience. In fact the conditions above the water, and the cool weather spoilt the diving experience for me. The DM was also rather in-experienced - one morning we dropped on the northern end of the reef facing a strong south-to-north current, despite the skipper's warnings, and she tried to remain on the reef which was an impossible task. Eventually I surfaced, totally fed-up.
At this time of year I would rate these reefs as for the experienced diver only. Go in summer time (January/February).

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Florida Keys, Belize, Guanja, Aliwal Shoal (South Africa)
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas surge
Water Temp 68-69°F / 20-21°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 30-50 Ft/ 9-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No restrictions were placed upon us, other than that we surface with 500 PSI.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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