Introducing the Sodwana Bay Festival

Time to read
2 minutes
Read so far

Introducing the Sodwana Bay Festival

Posted in:

ISimangaliso Wetland Park presents the Sodwana Bay Festival, powered by SUBMERGE Magazine and Nauticam. Hosted in Sodwana Bay between 26 April and 1 May 2018, this event is for divers and non-divers alike. With a photographic competition, a rock festival, a kids’ club, quizzes and games, a market, micro seminars, a community drive and much more, there is something for everyone.

Test your skills
Featuring a photographic competition for any diver with any type of underwater camera setup, and for those who prefer to take their shot on dry land, there are categories for all photographers and videographers. With the stunning reefs and dramatic landscapes of iSimangaliso Wetland Park serving as the backdrop for these images, we encourage both divers and non-divers to participate in this idyllically set competition.

A vibe with a big heart
This event will not only have a big vibe but also a big heart. With a major incentive to give back to the local community, we aim to provide basic skills training in swimming, first aid and discover scuba courses, teaching the value of our underwater world and why it is essential to conserve our oceans.

With micro seminars hosted by topic professionals, not only will festival-goers be entertained, but could walk away with photo editing skills, a business tip or even the five best ways to tie your sarong.
The Kids’ Club has a full-day programme including face painting, sand castle competitions, eco-tours, Discover Rock Pools walking tours, movies, jumping castles and more. This club will ensure that the children will have a holiday that they will never forget.

Festival Format
The mornings will be dedicated to the underwater photographic competition. Divers who enter the competition will go with their respective dive operations to the pre-determined dive site, and prepare for a dive in the oceans of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park to take pictures.

Afternoons will be spent with diving and business professionals, all of whom will be presenting micro seminars on a variety of topics, ranging from secrets of successful compositions to tips for social media advertising. These micro seminars will focus on diving and underwater photography but also the running of successful businesses and fashion advice. This wide range ensures that there is a micro seminar for everyone at the Sodwana Bay Festival.

There will also be fun quizzes and competitions in the afternoon between or in lieu of those that do not wish to attend micro seminars. There will also be a treasure hunt. Additionally, there will be music playing, with live bands from 15:00, and the market will be open in the afternoons for those just wishing to browse. The stage, the beer and wine tents and the food vendors will be the central hub of the festival zone.

This event will not only have a big vibe but also a big heart. With a major incentive to give back to the local community, we aim to provide basic skills training in swimming, first aid and discover scuba courses, teaching the value of our underwater world and why it is essential to conserve our oceans.

With micro seminars hosted by topic professionals, not only will festival-goers be entertained, but could walk away with photo editing skills, a business tip or even the five best ways to tie your sarong.

The Kids’ Club has a full-day programme including face painting, sand castle competitions, eco-tours, Discover Rock Pools walking tours, movies, jumping castles and more. This club will ensure that the children will have a holiday that they will never forget.

Our music line-up will feature authentic and up-and-coming underground artists. Expect bands to begin playing in the late afternoon, starting the festival proceedings. This is the time when the attendees of the Sodwana Bay Festival will have the chance to unwind after a long day of competing and learning, and get to know one another while absorbing the beauty of this World Heritage Site. There will be a prize-giving ceremony on Sunday, 30th April 2018 for all of the prize winners.

For more information go to our Facebook page (@SodwanaBayFestival). Follow us
on Instagram (@SodwanaBay Festival) or keep an eye out on the Sodwana Bay Festival website (sodwanabayfestival.co.za).