Diving in the Indian Ocean is an absolute pleasure: coral reefs teem with fish of every conceivable size and shape; dolphins, turtles and manta rays are often seen; and the translucent water not only makes for excellent visibility but is also wonderfully warm. Whether you're a dedicated bubble blower or first-time diver, spending time in this colourful underwater world is sure to be a highlight of your Africa holiday.

A staggering variety of top dive destinations can be found off Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline. Beginners would do well to explore the calm water and shallow reefs surrounding the island of Mauritius while more experienced divers can opt for exciting drift dives off Pemba Island in Tanzania or the magnificent coral walls in the largely unmapped waters of Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago.

Once happily back on soft beach sand you’ll quickly discover that the focus of our Africa diving holidays is by no means restricted to the world below the waves. From family-friendly beach villas in the Bazaruto Archipelago to exclusive honeymoon hideouts on the private islands of the Seychelles, our recommended diving lodges and hotels have all been carefully selected for their luxurious accommodation, high levels of service and blissful locations on sugar-white tropical beaches.

Finally, for the best of two very different worlds, we’d highly recommend combining your Africa diving holiday with a wildlife experience for a safari & beach vacation: Mozambique’s tropical coastline is a short flight from the Kruger Park; the world-renowned dive sites off Mnemba and Pemba Islands can be easily added to an East Africa safari; and you can even drive from the big game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal to South Africa’s wild Elephant Coast - home to the world's southernmost coral reefs.

Want to find out more? Read more about our top diving destinations, browse our most popular Africa diving holidays, or contact one of our well-travelled safari experts and they’ll tailor-make an itinerary just for you.

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