Quarter Mile

Quarter Mile Reef is one of the closest and shallowest reefs at Sodwana Bay, South Africa, just off Jesser Point almost directly in front of the beach launch site, about 460 m offshore. It is a flat, shallow reef of sponges and soft corals with patches of seagrass, gentle slopes and clear sandy areas, reached directly from shore or by inflatable boat. Depths are only a few metres.

There is no current, and the water is calm and protected, though the reef is shallow enough that swell affects conditions. Visibility is generally 5 to 15 m and water temperature 22 to 27°C. It suits beginners, snorkelers and training dives.

Butterflyfish, surgeonfish, damselfish, anemones and clownfish, trumpetfish, wrasse and juvenile fish live here, and turtles, rays, giant sand sharks, paperfish, pipefish, scorpionfish, game fish and firefish may be seen. In summer, from December to March, pregnant sand tiger (ragged-tooth) sharks spend time on the reef, and the reef is closed to divers until they have settled, so it is not always open.