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Bassa da India - Scuba Diving Expeditions

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Bassa da India Scuba Diving Expeditions - 9 nights/10 days

We have all heard stories about the fantastic diving at Bassas. These stories are from dive clubs or groups of friends that have chartered a yacht and just go and dive.  We however will be the first company to bring you guided live-aboard's on luxury yachts to Bassas da India.  The yachts used are very exclusive and the divers are kept to a maximum of 6 per boat. The charters are done 2 yachts together at a time.
       
 The Marine Rich Waters of Bassas Da India

As the conditions are as near pristine as one can get the fish life around the atoll is prolific and all species are of noteworthy size. Expect the BIG five, big sharks - oceanic white tips, silver tips and grey reef sharks, hammerheads, shoals of large tuna, barracuda, kingfish and many other large reef fish - of all species.

Explore gently sloping reefs passing giant table corals until you reach the edge of the drop off that plunges from 20 metres down into the abyss - watch out for the vertigo! Schools of rainbow runners and kingfish occupy this deep blue along with yellowfin tuna, silver tip shark and hammerhead.

In the shallower water you can explore coral outcrops spread across a sandy bottom where large schools of parrotfish, fusiliers, anthias and solitary groupers mix with moray eels, wrasse, butterfly fish and angelfish.

Because of the depths of the wall dives, time is spent snorkelling or fishing in between dives. Swim through huge schools of yellowtop fusiliers and have close encounters with giant kingfish (up to 50kg) and watch parrotfish feeding at low tide along the exposed coral with their fins out of the water.  
 
The Diving

The depth of the dives will be determined on site. The dive group is usually dropped at 10 meters. Most dives are done between 18 and 40 meters. You do not need to dive deep to experience the awe of Bassas. Diving takes place on the North East side of the island where the reef slopes down very gradually. It is a relatively long swim before you reach the drop off or rather wall. Should the group of divers all be very experienced deep divers then it is their choice as a group whether they are going to dive the wall or not. The drop off is bottomless so the danger factor here is high indeed. We strongly recommends shallow dives only. The dives that you choose to do is entirely your choice and you need to take responsibly for your own safety. You can definitely spend many days diving the shallows of Bassas venturing to some of the many shipwrecks that plague the North East side of the atoll. This wreck graveyard is host to the most incredible ecosystem and marine life waters that you will probable ever experience.
 
NB Bassa da India is a protected area!
Nothing, not even a piece of coral is to be removed from the atoll. Any one discovered taking items from the wrecks will not be allowed to dive again as your behaviour may jeopardise the diving of others as well.

Itinerary in brief

Bassa da India Charters - 9 nights / 10 days 

Bassas da India is roughly half way between Mozambique and Madagascar. The atoll sits approx 250 Nautical miles from Vilanculos, Mozambique where our charters embark and disembark. Sailing time to reach  Bassas da India is approx 48 hours depending on the weather conditions.

All the yachts are professionally crewed and fully licensed with all the required certification. The charters depart on set dates, where 2 or 3 yachts will depart together.  This is done for safety reasons and to give each yacht as much back up as possible with all the yachts working together.

Day 0 Predeparture day.
We prefer that all guests arrive in Vilanculos the day before their charter is due to start so that we can get as early a departure as possible on day 1. We can arrange all accommodation and flights for you.
 
Day 1 
Depart for the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Transfer to the yacht. Once settled in and unpacked, the vessel will depart for the Bazaruto Archipelago. En route to the islands, get active by throwing a lure overboard with one of our deep-sea big game-fishing rods and you'll stand a good chance of catching dinner. When we arrive at the islands, feel free to jump overboard, go snorkelling or paddle around on the sea kayaks. Enjoy a beach braai (BBQ) and sleep your first night at sea, calmly moored in view of the islands.

Depending on the guests desires, the first day at Bazaruto can be skipped and we can head straight out to Bassa da India

Day 2
Enjoy breakfast and a swim or dive before we head due east for Bassas da India. FB

Enjoy breakfast and a swim or dive before unfurling the sails as we head due east for Bassas da India just after lunch. Once again, get the big game fishing rods out for the passing Yellow-fin Tunny. If in a nautical mood, our skipper will show you the ropes with the sailing of the vessel. Enjoy relaxing on deck or in the lounge reading, playing board games or listening to music while the vessel carves effortlessly through the deep Indian Ocean

Day 3-7
Bassas da India. 

Arrives at Bassas da India (sailing time: 24-36 hours). On arrival, throw anchor and then it is time to get the scuba or spear fishing gear out for your first dive. For non-divers, the dingy can 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 (remember your sandals to protect your feet!). Cocktails and dinner are enjoyed outdoors on the aft deck where the sun can be seen setting lazily over the azure Indian Ocean.

Spend these sunny days diving, exploring and fishing over this diverse atoll. Relax totally and unwind in the hammocks onboard over the wooden decks. Enjoy sociable meals and evening cocktails.  On the afternoon of the 7th day, we will raise her anchor and unfurl her sails for the voyage back to the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Day 8
Sail back to the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Day 9 
Arrive at the archipelago and explore one or two of the Islands of Bazaruto with walks on the beach, beach braais (BBQs) and snorkelling on the shallows of the coral reefs. Stop off for a refreshing drink at one of the luxury lodges on the islands. The vessel will depart late in the evening bound for Vilanculos and home.

Day 10
Arrive early in Vilanculos and disembark
We would advise clients not to book a return flight to Jhb on the same day as the scheduled return date but allow for 1 night in Vilanculos at the end, as we cant be held responsible if due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the yachts are delayed in their return and guest subsequently miss return flights.

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