Sodwana Bay · South Africa · Reef · Coral garden

Nine-Mile Reef

The 'Christmas Tree' green tree coral on the seaward drop-off

Nine-Mile Reef is the northernmost of the commonly dived reefs at Sodwana Bay and the furthest of its dive sites from the launch. Depths sit between 6 m on the reef top and about 21 m, with PADI giving 24 m as the maximum, and the landmark is a green tree coral at the drop-off on the seaward side, known as the Christmas Tree.

Also known as 9 Mile Reef.

Where it is and how deep

Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

27.4290° S, 32.7290° EPublished position for this site.

The dive

Nine Mile is the furthest of the Sodwana Bay dive sites and the northernmost of the reefs in common use, so it is the longest boat run of any dive in the bay. Depths sit between 6 m on the reef top and about 21 m, with PADI giving 24 m as the maximum, so the profile itself is comfortable once you are in the water. PADI lists the site for advanced divers and up.

The feature everyone comes for is on the seaward side of the reef, at the drop-off: a green tree coral large enough to be known as the Christmas Tree, clouded with goldies and other brightly coloured fish that hold in the water around it. PADI describes the site as offering great topography and abundant marine life, and lists sharks, whales, dolphins and turtles for the reef, though the coral head is the reason the dive gets booked.

Marine life and season

Sea turtles
Reef sharks
Dolphins
Whales
Reef fish swarms

Month-by-month season rating for Nine-Mile Reef
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Prime	Prime	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Good	Good

Season follows Sodwana Bay: Conditions are good all year; ragged-tooth sharks peak in January and February, and the clearest water runs from April to September.

Photos from Nine-Mile Reef

Robert Taylor · CC BY 4.0

Dive videos

Sodwana Bay - 9 Mile Reef · krugerworks on YouTube

Sodwana Bay: Diving at Nine Mile Reef · Michal Jerabek on YouTube

Questions divers ask

Do you need an advanced certification for Nine-Mile Reef?+

PADI lists the site as suitable for advanced divers or higher. Depths run from 6 m on the reef top to about 21 m, with 24 m as the published maximum, and it is the furthest of the Sodwana Bay dive sites from the launch.