Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay is home to the world's southernmost coral reefs, and the most popular diving location in South Africa, so as we were in the neighbourhood I couldn't resist booking us in for a day. Unfortunately, on the morning of the dive we woke up at the required ungodly hour to find it pouring with rain – not exactly the beach paradise we had been promised. With some effort we dragged ourselves up and unenthusiastically made it on to the dive boat. Like our diving south of Durban, they use small inflatable boats (rubber duckies) and you have to cling on for dear life as the skipper skilfully (well hopefully) waits for the right moment to bomb it out through the breakers.
















Our first dive was at 9 mile reef, which is unfortunately one of the furtherest away, so after the thirty minute journey we were pretty cold. To add to this, Rich, who had come down with a stomach bug, was vomiting over the side of the boat. Not to be deterred, we rolled off the boat backwards into the water James Bond style, to find it actually pleasantly warm compared with the conditions above sea level.
















The main draw of this dive area are the lovely coral reefs, and they were certainly very pretty, helped by excellent viability and several interesting swim-throughs. Also, there weren't the strong currents like on our previous dives at Aliwal, so it was much more relaxing, or was until I realised just how cold I was and the shivering set in.
















On the way back to land we met a pod of dolphins who were eager to play, swimming right up to the boat. Unfortunately they were too close to the breakers for it to be safe for us to get in a and join them.
















Back on dry land again, and warmed up by a cup of cocoa and a hot shower, the sun was finally making an appearance making me feel much more enthusiastic for the second dive. This was at the much closer 2 mile reef (the clue is in the name). Again, this was a lovely reef dive with plenty of colourful fish and and a few turtles. The reef covers quite a large area so you can drift around with the current and still have plenty to see.
















The next day we decided it was time for a new country, so headed on northwards to Swaziland. As Rich was still feeling rather poorly (note to self that stomach bugs don't mix well with rough boat rides and scuba diving), I took over the driving. After negotiating the numerous potholes on the way back to the main road, I steeled my self to the madness of African driving. I soon relaxed and successfully executed my first two truck overtaking manoeuvre without crashing into the oncoming traffic.