Adventures in Sodwana

The Opwall ecology field expedition to Sodwana Bay was an adventure. Located on South Africa’s stunning east coast, this trip gave us a firsthand look at the incredible underwater world of coral reefs. Here’s a peek into what our days looked like and the amazing experiences we had.

Photo by Benjamin Sadd

Each morning started with breakfast, kindly made for us by chefs at camp. We’d gather to eat, fueling up for the exciting day ahead. The camp, surrounded by coastal forest, was the perfect spot to wake up and get ready.

After breakfast, we’d often do a pre-dive activity, such as a beach cleanup. After this we suited up in our scuba gear and boats awaited to take us to the dive sites. Diving in Sodwana Bay was like entering another world. The water was clear and warm, perfect for exploring the vibrant coral reefs. During our dives, we saw all kinds of amazing sea creatures. The highlight was definitely the manta rays, which I saw twice on two different dives. We also spotted moray eels peeking out from crevices in the coral.

Following our morning dives, we’d return to the camp for a quick break before heading for a lecture. Our lecturers, who were super knowledgeable and passionate about marine biology, taught us all about reef ecology. We learned how different species depend on each other, the role of coral reefs in the ocean, and why it’s so important to protect these ecosystems. The lectures were fascinating and really helped us understand what we were seeing underwater.

The lectures were followed by dinner. The meals were delicious and provided a great opportunity to relax and chat about the day’s adventures. Evenings were filled with fun activities, from playing games to just hanging out and sharing stories. These moments helped us bond as a group and made the trip even more enjoyable.

Photo by Toby Farman

The trip to Sodwana Bay was an unforgettable experience. We learned so much about reef ecology, got to dive with incredible marine life, and made new friends along the way. It was a perfect mix of education, adventure, and fun, and it definitely inspired us all to care more about our oceans and the amazing life they support.