Diving in Mozambique, by Robynn and Ross Hofmeyr

Diving in Mozambique, by Robynn and Ross Hofmeyr. Penguin Random House South Africa, Struik Nature. Cape Town, South Africa 2011. ISBN 9781775845256 / ISBN 978-1-77-584525-6

Diving in Mozambique, by Robynn and Ross Hofmeyr, hits the mark and provides precisely the kind of detail required when planning a diving trip to Mozambique.

Mozambique is a very special place, both on land and underwater. The warmth of the local people allied to a natural environment that celebrates the very essence of Africa. Despite an increasingly well-established tourist infrastructure, there is still a sense of the pioneering spirit for anyone who travels within Mozambique, and this is never more applicable than when diving. The breadth of the undersea riches here is only really just coming to light, with exquisite reefs bathed in the warm waters of the Agulhas Current, and some world-class big animal encounters. Robynn and Ross have written a wonderful book that explores this extraordinary world beneath the waves off one of the most mysterious, and beautiful, of all African nations.

Authors' preface

[...] The book also highlights how varied the diving is along Mozambique's extensive coastline. What is it that you are looking for? Whether it's mantas and whale sharks, shore diving with fabulous photographic opportunities, or adrenaline diving with sharks and strong currents, you will find it in Mozambique, and this book will assist you in choosing where and when to go. Diving in Mozambique is of the first order, and many of the dive resorts are on par with the best in the world, but it must always be borne in mind that you will be travelling in Africa. Mozambique is one of the world's poorest countries, with very limited services and resources, and dive resorts are often in very remote areas. For this reason, it is important to exercise good judgement in staying healthy and avoiding injury.This section should assist you in your preparations, but should not replace consulting with a knowledgeable dive/travel physician. As mentioned in the summary on p. 10, most divers travelling to exotic destinations worry about rare problems like decompression sickness, envenomation by marine creatures like stonefish, and dread diseases when, in fact, you are far more likely to experience a bout of traveller's diarrhoea, sunburn or an ear infection, any of which could ruin your dive holiday. For all of these conditions prevention is better than cure. More than 60 per cent of Mozambique's population lives in rural areas with little or no access to health services. A network of health posts and clinics feeds into a few regional hospitals. There are only about three doctors per 100,000 people across the country. Therefore, publically accessible health services are often very rudimentary, and it is important to have made independent plans to acquire high-quality care in the case of an emergency. This usually requires suitable pre-planning and the purchase of health and evacuation insurance. (See p. 159.) Fortunately, this is generally quite cost-effective. You can expect your body to take some time to adjust to a new environment, particularly if coming from abroad. Gastrointestinal upsets are common, and can vary from simple traveller's diarrhoea to more serious infections. The use of strict hand-washing practices, caution in using local water sources, good personal hygiene and probiotics (or natural culture yoghurt) will reduce the risks. Sunburn is unpleasant at best and debilitating at worst, but is completely preventable with appropriate attire and the liberal use of sunscreen. Remember, if you are not used to the African sun, you will burn easily. Don't forget sunglasses with UV protection to wear on the beach and the boat - solar keratitis (sunburn of the cornea of the eye, akin to snow-blindness) will ruin your trip and prevent you from diving. [...]

This is an excerpt from Diving in Mozambique, by Robynn and Ross Hofmeyr.

Title: Diving in Mozambique
Authors: Robynn Hofmeyr; Ross Hofmeyr
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Travel & Heritage
Cape Town, South Africa 2017
ISBN 9781775845256 / ISBN 978-1-77-584525-6
Softcover, 15 x 21 cm, 160 pages, throughout colour photographs, images, maps