Underwater Explorer
In the heart of Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique’s Campsite, is a little piece of heaven, a slither of gold, formerly known as The Whaler. operating now as Underwater Explorers.
The beauty, view, accessibility and warm family environment, stays the same, catering for divers and friends, alike. With a dive centre, accommodation, and easy access to the beach, Underwater Explorers is the place to be in Southern Mozambique.
Travel Info
Covid-19 Travel Bans
Due to the Covid-19 Global Pandemic travel, tourism and quarantine restrictions are frequently changing.
For current information about these restrictions, you can get the details from Travel Bans.
How to Get to Us
Directions from Johannesburg
From Johannesburg/Pretoria head to Ermelo (depending on where you live: N17, N12, N11 or N4 ) From Ermelo take the N2 towards Durban through Piet Retief & Pongola. Approx 52km after Pongola turn left to Jozini. Follow the road through Jozini town and as you leave the town stay left and go over the Jozini Dam wall. Continue straight along the road until you reach a T-Junction. Here you will turn right. Watch out for stray animals and potholes on this road.
After about 100km you will arrive in Manguzi: the last place to place to fuel up on the South African side of the border. Follow the road for approx 20km through the town and you will arrive at the Kosi Bay border. Approx distance = 658km. The tar road ends on the South African side of the border, so if you are in a 2wd you can park either at the South African Police Station or just across the border (for a daily fee) There is a border transfer option, where you can be collected from the border post. If you are in a 4wd you can cross into Mozambique and continue to Ponta do Ouro.
Directions from Durban
Take the N2 Toll road north past Ballito from Durban. Take the Hluhluwe offramp and turn right over the highway. Continue through the town of Hluhluwe, following the Sodwana Bay signs. At Mbazwane, turn left following the Kosi Bay signs. Turn right around the traffic circle. Continue through the town of Manguzi: the last place to place to fuel up on the South African side of the border.
Follow the road for approx 20km through the town and you will arrive at the Kosi Bay border. Approx distance = 500km. The tar road ends on the South African side of the border, so if you are in a 2wd you can park either at the South African Police Station or just across the border (for a daily fee) There is a border transfer option, where you can be collected from the border post. If you are in a 4wd you can cross into Mozambique and continue to Ponta do Ouro.
Visas
All visitors, except South Africans and Malawians, require visas in order to travel to Mozambique, and it is better to have it all ready before you get to the border gate – you can get a visa there, but it is not guaranteed; visas are issued at either the Mozambiquan embassy, high commission or consulate. You can get single entry visas or multiple entries. An official Mozambique visa is a green sticker which is barcoded, it will be stamped in your passport. The charges for visas varies, you will pay whatever it costs for a Mozambican to travel to your country.
A single-entry tourist visa is valid for 60 days from issue date, and you can enter the country for a maximum stay of 30 days.
Same-day visas cost $13 (R85), next- day visas $10 (R65). Visas are also available at borders for $25 (R71), but those issued at Ponta do Ouro and other small border posts can only be used to exit from that border post again.
Driving
- Driver’s license
- ID Books – if applicable
- Vehicle Registration papers – if applicable
- Registration papers for trailers – if applicable
- If you are not driving your vehicle you need a signed letter of consent from the owner/bank, as well as the car papers and a copy of their ID
Passports
Passport with 6 months validity and 5 pages will be accepted at the border.
Each individual is to be present when having his/her own passport stamped at customs.
Travelling with Children
A certified copy, or the original, of the child’s birth certificate, must be shown to the border official when stamping your child’s passport.
If one parent is travelling alone with the child, a Parental Consent Affidavit is to be filled in by both parents at the police station, and certified, accompanied by certified copies of IDs.
You will be required to be present at the border when entering and leaving South Africa.
Failure to do so will mean you will be turned away, and not allowed entry/exit from the county.
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Latitude: -26.844349
Longitude: 32.889176