Hi Barracuda and other people in the forum,
My name is Victor and I'd like to ask you about diving in Mozambique. I know the thread is old but you seem to me the most reliable source of opinion about scuba diving there after some hours of googling.
I'm travelling with my girlfriend next September to Mozambique for diving. We'll go first for two weeks of "inland tourism" to South Africa, and afterwards move to Mozambique for diving. Initially we thought about going to Quirimbus, but now we are not sure. We knew it would be expensive but maybe not as much as it appears to be, and that's a factor, for sure. But the point that worries us the most is that we're not sure we will find a diving-focused infraestructure over there. I mean, we could make the effort and expend a big about of money staying at Iboh, where we've found a relatively affordable lodgement. But we're not sure we'll find a dive center who we'd be able to join for diving different islands and/or a big enough number of sites. Even if the dive centers of the big, more expensive, resorts would accept us in their boats; they seem to dive only nearby their own islands. It seems they are more oriented to "sun and beach" tourism for rich people, so I don't know if it's a suitable area to do some 10-15 dives for 7-8 nights of stay (our plan). Could you recommend any dive resort (truly specialised) in the area, even if expensive? (or any other way to stick to our planning)
If we finally have to rule out quirimbus; I see most of you prefer Tofo. Our second idea was Bazaruto, but we're now reconsidering it, so I'd like to ask you some questions about them:
-I guess we shouldn't expect to see dugongs or humbbacks underwater in any of the places, unless being really lucky. But where could we have bigger chances? (that includes Quirimbus)
-Where will we have more chances of whale shark encounters? Which of the places has better macro and walls?
-Could we dive different spots and islands of Bazaruto from Vilanculos? any recommended dive center &/or logement?
-Do you think splitting our stay (half in Vilanculos/Bazaruto and half in Tofo) is a reasonable option for those 7-8 nights?
Thank you very much for your attention and help and please excuse such a long post!