Location

Bassas da India, Mozambique

Description

The legendary dive site of Bassas da India is located roughly halfway between Mozambique and Madagascar. It is a small coral atoll which forms the peak of an underwater volcanic mount rising up from a depth of 3000m on the oceanic floor below.  The outer walls of the seamount provide the base for the narrow fringing reef, which is approximately 100 m wide. The rim encircles a shallow central lagoon which is approximately 11km in diameter and only 15 metres at its deepest.

Bassas is ranked as one of the world's ultimate dive sites. It's right up there with the Red Sea, Maldives, Great Barrier Reef, Belize, Malaysia and Micronesia. Because of its remoteness it draws the more adventurous and advanced diver. The atoll can only be reached by private yacht charter and the nearest land mass is a day's sailing away.

When diving on the outer wall you gently descend down the sloping reefs passing giant table corals until you reach the edge of the drop off at 20m. From there the sea mount plunges to the ocean floor. Once over the edge you can see schools of rainbow runners and kingfish as well as yellow fin tuna, silver tip shark and hammerhead shark. The sea life around the atoll is prolific and all species are of a noteworthy size. You can expect to see big sharks - oceanic white tips, silver tips and grey reef sharks, hammerheads, as well as shoals of large tuna, barracuda, kingfish and many other large fish species. Inside the atoll on shallower dives you can explore coral outcrops where large schools of parrotfish, fusiliers, anthias and solitary groupers mix with moray eels, wrasse, butterflyfish, angelfish, and many colourful reef fish.

The diving conditions are idyllic. Crystal clear visibility, warm tropical waters and more marine life than you can remember to log or photograph. In between dives you can relax on board, fishing, reading a book or exploring the shallower reefs with your mask and snorkel.

Highlights

• 50m + visibility and warm tropical diving conditions
• Amazing corals and thousands of reef fish
• Wall and big blue dives
• Large pelagic and shark dives
• Cruising to the ocean paradise

Description

Day 1 - Arrival Vilankulos, Mozambique
Arrive in Vilankulos via Johannesburg or Maputo. Transfer to a guest lodge where you will be staying overnight. This gives you an opportunity to relax and acclimatize after your long haul flight. The day an devening is at leisure. 

Day 2 - Vilankulos to Bazaruto Archipelago
After breakfast, transfer to the harbour and board the yacht. Once you've settled in to your cabin and unpacked, the vessel will set sail. Enjoy the gentle sway of the ocean as you cross the channel. You can keep yourself occupied by fishing. Once anchored at the islands, you can go for a swim in the shallows, enjoy some snorkeling or explore the islands on sea kayaks. Dinner is a beach braai (BBQ) after which you'll return to the yacht and sleep on board.

Day 3 - Bazaruto to Bassas da India
The morning's activities include a swim, snorkel or dive before heading east for Bassas da India. Setting out just after lunch you can once again sit back and relax with the big game fishing rods out and see if you can hook one of the passing Yellow-fin Tuna. It's an afternoon of leisure. Enjoy relaxing on deck or in the lounge reading, playing board games or listening to music while underway.

Day 4 to 8 - Bassas da India
Arriving at Bassas da India, drop anchor and prepare the scuba gear for your first dive. After that it's four more days of underwater paradise, exploring the reefs to your heart's content. In between dives you can use the dingy to take you to the reef for a walk on the rocks where old ship wrecks can be explored and interesting marine life can be seen in the rock pools. You can also snorkel on the inner reef or chill in a hammock on deck.  Cocktails are served at sunset and dinner is enjoyed outdoors where you can enjoy the magnificence of the starry skies. On the afternoon of the last day, we raise anchor and set sail once again back to the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Day 9 - Bassas da India to Bazaruto
The day is spent sailing back to the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Day 10 - Bazaruto Archipelago
Once at Bazaruto you can disembark and get some sand between your toes. Have a relaxing afternoon on the beach, followed by a braai for dinner. Stop off for a refreshing drink at one of the luxury lodges on the islands. The yacht will depart late in the evening to sail overnight to Vilanculos.

Day 11 - Vilankulos
If the weather is good, you'll arrive back in Vilankulos early morning. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to a beach lodge where you will be staying overnight. It is possible to fly out the same day but because weather is variable and arrival time at Vilankulos could be delayed, this is not recommended.

Day 12 - Depart Vilankulos

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg or Maputo and then home.

Cruise options for Bassas da India

Private yacht charter: Suitable for groups of 4 to 8 people travelling together.

St Francis Knysna 440 - Takes 6 guests

This 44 ft St Francis Catamaran is in excellent condition, having been factory rebuilt in 2002, and refurbished with new soft finishes in 2008. She has a good speed on the water and handles easily providing a superb level of comfort. Guests can enjoy the large saloon and cockpit and outside dining area. The galley-down design allows for a more spacious feel. Accommodation is in 4 double en-suite cabins. Other features include a spacious deck and an outside hot & cold fresh water shower, perfect for rinsing down after a dive.

DeanCat 44ft - Takes up to 6 guests

This comfortable 44ft catamaran can accommodate up to 6 guests in 2 x double cabins and 1 x twin cabin. The double cabins have an en suite bathroom and the twin cabin a separate bathroom. The dining and deck area is spacious and comfortably furnished. A fresh water hot and cold deck shower is on the stern. A tender boat is available to take you to dive and snorkeling sites. Equipment for game fishing is provided.

Motorcat 44ft - Takes up to 6 guests

The motor-cat is comfortable, fast and because of her shallow draft, is the ideal yacht for expeditions to islands and atolls. It has been designed with the adventurous explorer in mind.  There are 3 double cabins which can accommodate 6 guests. Each cabin has its own en-suite bathroom with a shower, basin and toilet. The saloon area easily accommodates up 6 guests, providing a popular social gathering point. It's an ideal place for chatting about the days’ diving activities. A large enclosed cockpit area which has a permanent awning provides another gathering point where delicious meals are enjoyed and evenings are spent socializing.  A large spacious top deck area enables guests’ ample space to relax as well as providing a high vantage point for viewing whales or dolphins

Royal Cape 530 - Takes 8 guests

The new Royal Cape Catamaran is a stylish 53ft vessel. Guests will enjoy the large saloon and cockpit with outside dining area, and spacious deck area. The galley-up design incorporates a spacious saloon and serving window overlooking the cockpit. The accommodation includes five double en-suite cabins. There is plenty of space on deck for sun-tanning and each bow has a seat for watching the waves float by. An outside hot & cold fresh water shower on the transom step if perfect for rinsing off after a dive.

Liveaboard Yacht - Takes up to 8 guests

The liveaboard yacht is the more affordable cruising option that individuals and couples can book on to enjoy a diving expedition to Bassas da India.

The yacht is a ketch and has a dagger board style retractable keel that draws only 5 feet, allowing her to go into coral shallows.  When extended to its full 13 feet, it gives the vessel excellent stability under sail. This unique feature makes it a perfect vessel for exploring Bassas. There are 4 well-ventilated, wood-paneled twin cabins for 8 guests, all with en-suite hot and cold water bathrooms, fans and reading lights.  Décor is simple and comfortable. There is plenty of deck space for relaxation. A canvas deck awning provides shade from the midday heat.