Ibo Island & Quirimbas Getting to Ibo Prices

Bay Diving

From 15 Jan 2009 Bay Diving lodge and dive school is closed

A frame Please do not arrive unannounced as we will be unable to accommodate you. We are not even there. If you have any queries please contact us.

We opened Bay Diving in 2001 as a small, privately owned and operated lodge with dive school in the huge bay of Nacala, a refreshing oasis with comfortable rustic accommodation options and what became legendary food. Previously there was no reason for tourists to visit Nacala, but the beautiful area is now firmly in the memory of many a discerning independant traveler.

In the intervening years, we have, amongst many other things, developed our liveaboard dhow with the eventual aim of living a life of explorers and p Sunset with dhow irates and general reprobates. Multi-tasking is something we have developed to an incredible art, but unfortunately we cannot extend ourselves to properly commanding both ventures, and while we have tried to get managers in who will run the lodge when we are not present and uphold the integrity of the place that differentiates it from every other complex, we saw a gradual slide towards mediocrity that we do not want to be associated with.

So we closed the doors on 15 January 2009 and handed back the business and tourism license of Bay Diving to the government.

In an industry where words such as eco-friendly, community development and social responsibility are carelessly cast about in order to hook the sponsor and tourist dollar, Bay Diving quietly and privately developed and flourished in our own unique manner. In July 2006 in conjunction with the local Fishermen's Association we had the area in front of the lodge declared a no fishing zone. The reef inside this micro reserve is now teeming with marine life that previously fought a daily losing battle against the nets. We see shoals of barracuda, mullet, kingfish and batfish above regenerating corals that provide a nursery for small tropical fish. In a perfect world, the association would continue to monitor this area for the benefit of the whole bay. We know that left to their own devices the concept of "live for today" will prevail and again, if any organisations are interested in continuing with this successful project, we would be happy to advise and contribute and see it grow and develop.

We believe that being a diver is something you are, not just something you do.

The major legacy that we hope to have instilled is the passion for the underwater environment and what we believe are proper diving ethics. It is often said “I did my course in xxx, but I learnt to dive at Bay Diving.” The log book is full of thanks for the tips and techniques passed on, not only during courses, but on every diving excursion. Printed in all of our logbooks, and reproduced here is our mantra:

I am a visitor to a foreign world and will act with respect.
I will leave the reef with all its real estate intact.
Scuba diving is not a competitive sport and I will not try and make it one;
therefore I will not brag about air consumption, weights, depth or time spent on a dive,
nor about the places I have dived.
I am a certified diver and responsible for my own actions.
I do not require a babysitter.
I will take my brain wih me when I dive.
I will not complain about visibility, current, surge or warm beers.
I will learn something on every dive.
I will keep my arms and fins away from other divers' heads.
I will dive with fins, mask and a cylinder,
not flippers, goggles or a bottle.
Dustcap, dustcap, dustcap.

Once again, thank you to everybody who helped to make the place what it was, we are happy to have enriched the lives of so many people, whether it was showing you around our underwater garden, making you laugh with all our tales of Mozambican woe or simply with a wedge of decadent chocolate brownie. Or naked swims in the pool, debates on any topic, over consumption of the decidedly delicious Belmoz or a midnight kayak trip surrounded by the limitless stars, blinking fireflies and stunning phosphorescence. When I get some time, I will make a proper page with a photo history of the place. Please send me your favourite picture that epitomises your experience here. (I predict several Frits photos, and one or two Arthur-in-Speedo shots) 72dpi max please or our server will collapse.

Arthur Telephone: +258 82 5116925 or alternatively sms to +32 489218566
Satellite phone: 881631546816 -Only try this number when no response from both of the above numbers
(send a free short message to this number via www.iridium.com otherwise standard costs apply for satellite calls)
Email: waterworks.moz@gmail.com