blogThe Underwater Wonderland of the Mabibi Rock Pools

Imagine stepping into a world where every glance reveals a new wonder, every wave brings a new discovery, and the enchanting marine life dances in the sunlit waters. That’s exactly what awaits you at the Mabibi Rock Pools, a hidden gem just a few sandy footsteps from Thonga Beach Lodge.

It all began on a balmy June day. Our guide, Sipho, an expert from the Thonga Beach Lodge Marine Centre, fitted us with goggles, snorkels, fins, and rashies before giving us a thorough snorkeling safety briefing. Despite it being winter, the sun was shining brightly—a testament to the perpetual warmth of this beautiful part of the world.

We walked 300 meters along the pristine, untouched Mabibi Beach. The sight was surreal: a vast expanse of sand stretched out, empty as far as the eye could see. It felt as though we had discovered a beach of our very own, untouched and unexplored.

Reaching the point where the spring low tide had revealed the rock pools, we stepped into the crystal-clear water. What we saw left us utterly spellbound. Just below the surface was an underwater wonderland teeming with life.

The vibrant tropical fish were everywhere. Butterfly fish, angel fish, parrot fish—species swam past us whose names we didn’t even know. The colours were stunning, creating a mosaic of movement beneath the waves. We floated leisurely through the rocks, as Sipho, our guide, explored under outcrops and into caverns, revealing this new world to us.

Then Sipho called us over. At first, we thought he was pointing out the beautiful coral. But as we looked longer, the coral began to change colour and shape. Suddenly, it had eight long arms stretching out. It was an octopus! We watched in awe as it swam away, camouflaging itself seamlessly onto each new shelf it paused upon. What an incredible find!

We continued exploring, moving through little channels and into deeper sections. Just when we thought we might be nearing the end of our adventure, we saw it: a banner-like form waving through the currents. It was a moray eel, swimming out in the open! A first for me. We watched with bated breath, but as soon as we saw its mouth open, we decided to carry on—swiftly.

Upon returning to a shallow shelf, we gathered in the small lapping waves, brimming with excitement over what we’d seen. Looking out over the unassuming sea, it’s hard to believe the vibrant world hidden just below.

As we made our way back to shore, we stumbled upon yet another rare sight: a baby sea snake caught in a low tide rock pool. We kept our distance but marveled at our luck—another serendipitous encounter in this magical underwater realm.

Just one hour in the water had felt like a whole day in a new land—bright, new, and full of surprises. As we wrapped warm towels around ourselves, we eagerly asked when we could do it again.

Sipho smiled and replied, “9:30 tomorrow morning. See you then.”

And so, the underwater wonderland of Mabibi Rock Pools invites you back, again and again, promising new delights and discoveries every visit. Come join us at Thonga Beach Lodge for your own slice of this enchanting underwater paradise.

Guest Blog: Lucy Cooke