The diving on Zanzibar is spectacular, and the coral reefs and marine life at the northern tip of the Archipelago are absolutely mind blowing! Massive beds of hard and soft coral varieties, completely clouded by huge schools of snapper fish, jack fish, yellow fin tuna, sail fish, rainbow runners, barracuda, and dolphins. The underwater landscape is an array of colours, dotted by the appearance of manta rays, whale sharks, and southern right whales in August to October.
The average visibility is around 35 meters, but peaks at 65 meters in February, and the water temperature on this tropical paradise rarely drops below 28C. A truly soul moving experience is to visit the Mnemba Marine Atoll Reserve, where you literally get within kissing distance of the highly endangered Green Back Turtles. If it is diversity you seek, then this is your type of dive, from nudibranchs, to anemone tube worms, hard and soft corals thriving with clown fish, butterfly fish, angel emperor fish, napoleon ras, and much, much more.
Below is a summary of some of the diving sites around Zanzibar.
Stone Town
Pegasus Wreck
Max Depth: 40m
This is a 50m long wreck though to be the remains of the Pegasus which was sunk in 1916 by the German gunship Koenigsberg. It is for experienced divers only and you will be able to see tuna, trevally, barracuda, jack fish, lionfish and giant stingrays.
Boribu Reef
Max Depth: 30m
This is a great reef with impressive coral formations including spectacular columna corals, honeycombs, Georgian Fans and massive barrel sponges. Some larger pelagic include barracuda, jacks, tuna, moray eels and large lobsters. It is about 45 minutes out of Stone Town so is quite a trek, but is well worth it.
Bawe Island
Max Depth: 18m
The reef is located about 20 minutes outside Stone Town and you will find beautiful corals like Acropora, Staghorn, brain coral and a large variety of reef fish. On occasion you may see moray, octopus and pufferfish.
Great Northern Wreck
Max Depth: 16m
This is the remains of an old cable layer which sunk in 1900. The wreck has plenty leaf fish, eels and a huge variety of coral. Visibility in the area is excellent.
Murogo Reef
Max Depth: 24m
This is home to many turtles and has a sloping reef wall with a large variety of coral and fish.
Pange Reef
Max Depth: 14m
This reef is ideal for Open Water Dive courses as it is calm and shallow. An enormous array of coral and tropical reef fish can be found, such as Clown Fish, Parrot Fish, Moorish Idol and many others. Many people do night dives on the reef where you can see cuttlefish, squid, crab and many other night dwellers.
Unidentified Barge
Max Depth: 40m
This is definitely only for experienced deep divers. The wreck attracts huge amounts of Big Bluefin, Trevally, Barracuda, Sting Rays, Cobia, Jew Fish, Morays and lots more. Only 4 people are allowed to go out at a time to the reef and costs a little extra.
Nyange Reef
Max Depth: 26m
This is the largest reef on the west coast and has several unique dive sites. A new series of coral has been identified on this reef which marine biologists believe is endemic to Nyange.
Mnemba & East Coast
Mnemba and the East Coast provide for some spectacular diving particularly for the more experienced divers. The reefs are easily accessible and many resorts on the East Coast have dive facilities.
Kichwani
Max Depth: 20 - 40m
This reef includes large coral species such as Mushroom, Honeycombe, Brain and Staghorn coral. Below 30m a vertical wall of reef fish, Trumpetfish, Large Napolean Wrasse, Reef Sharks and Manta Rays can be seen. Now and again you might come across a dolphin. Kichwani is excellent for drift diving along a wall.
Wattabomi
Max Depth: 10-15m
This is excellent for snorkelling and novice divers. The reef includes small reef fish, Regal Angelfish, Bluestreak, Cleaner Wrasse, eels and Blue Spotted Rays. Look for Flounders and Soles who lie buried on their sides in the sand. Year-round you will find Bottlenosed, Spinner and Common Dolphins.
Aquarium
Max Depth: 18m
The name speaks for it's self, it is like swimming in an aquarium. There is a very slight current and you should see Surgeonfish, Moorish Idols, Large Hawkesbill, Green Turtles and White Tip Reef Sharks.
The Big Wall
Max Depth: 30-50m
Descending down to 30m you drift along a vertical wall. There are many pelagic schools of Rainbow Runner, Bluefin Trevally and sometimes Common Dolphinfish. There are also many small caves to explore. During September and October there is a possibility that you can catch a ride on the back of a Whale Shark.
Coral Garden
Max Depth: 25m
This reef has a very large variety of beautiful coral, particularly Big Fan coral. There are plenty of fish including Goatfish, Moorish Idols, Kingfish and Barracudas which drift along the backdrop.
Nungwi
Nungwi is the one of the most popular places for diving on the island of Zanzibar. Although there are only 3 major reefs, most dive shops arrange diving out to Mnemba if you get tired of the local reefs.
Leven Bank
Max Depth: 40m
Due to the strong currents this is only for experienced divers. In our opinion this is the best reef off the island of Zanzibar. What makes it so attractive is the array of reef and pelagic fauna which includes Guitarfish, Tuna, Moray Eels, Barracuda, Dolphins, and White Tip Reef Sharks. There is a huge variety of coral with clusters of Honeycomb and Pillar Coral.
Hunga Reef
Max Depth: 20m
The reef is ideal for beginner divers and has a large variety of reef fish amongst some very well preserved coral. Large schools of Unicorn and Surgeonfish can be seen and the occasional Barracuda and Reef Shark.
Nankiville
Max Depth: 20m
This reef is also ideal for the less experienced diver. The large coral rock formation has some very impressive Brain and Plate Coral. You will see a good variety of reef fish, Lobster, Wrasse and Barracuda.
