Mafia Island · Tanzania · Reef
Chole Reef South
Reef rays resting on the rubble at the foot of the reef
Area photo: brittonpaul83 · CC BY-SA 2.0
The southern half of the Chole Reef bank runs from around 5 m down to 17 m and ends in sand and coral rubble. That rubble edge is what sets the site apart from the northern half: titan triggerfish scavenge along it and giant reef rays are seen regularly resting on it a couple of metres off the reef.
Where it is and how deep
7.9576° S, 39.7828° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
You start on the reef top at around 5 m and work down the flank of the bank, which descends steadily to 17 m before it runs out into sand and coral rubble. The transition zone is the productive part of this dive rather than the coral above it, so the sensible plan is to reach the bottom of the reef early and spend the deep portion of your no-stop time patrolling that edge.
Along the rubble, titan triggerfish scavenge over the loose ground, and giant reef rays are seen regularly a couple of metres off the reef, resting on the rubble itself. Rays lying still are easy to swim past, so move slowly and scan ahead across the open ground rather than staying focused on the coral above. When the deeper portion is done, climb back onto the bank and finish the dive shallow along the reef top.
Marine life and season
- Stingrays
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime |
Season follows Mafia Island: Whale shark season peaks October-March; the March-May long rains bring rougher seas and reduced visibility.
Know before you go
- Titan triggerfish become territorial when nesting on the rubble ground; give a fish that faces you a wide berth and back away horizontally rather than swimming up over it.
Questions divers ask
What can you see at Chole Reef South?+
The rubble at the foot of the reef, around 17 m, is where the site earns its reputation: titan triggerfish scavenge there and giant reef rays are seen regularly resting a couple of metres off the coral.
Sources
- Chole Reef South - Scubago — Scubago
More dive sites in Mafia Island
Wall
A coral bank to 15 m, dived by day and after dark
Reef
A shallow reef inundated with nudibranchs, 300 m off the beach
Wall
An archway in the rock wall, ringed by reef fish
Reef
The north end of an 800 m reefbank, 5 m to sand at 17 m
Wall
Sheer little walls from 3 m to 17 m, thick with sponges
Pinnacle
Pinnacles lit side-on by the dawn light, 3 m to 16 m
Channel & pass
The channel through the centre of Chole Bay, dived as a drift
Pinnacle
A coral spire from 24 m to just under the surface
Similar dives elsewhere
Linked bowls joined by caves, overhangs and gullies
Finger-shaped reef ridges with sand lanes between them
Steep shoreline walls and a boulder swim-through close to the gully
Slabbed rock reef, diveable only on a slack high tide