Zanzibar
Island - STONE TOWN
Stone Town is a great place to start off your dives as there are various
reefs close by, which can be used as a refresher if you have not dived
for a while. The dives in the area are relatively cheap and some of the
wrecks provide some spectacular sights. Below is a summary of what you
can see.
Pegasus Wreck
Depth: 40m
This is a 50m long wreck thought 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
Depth: 30m
This is a great reef with impressive coral formations including spectacular
columna corals, honeycombs, Georgian Fans and massive barrel sponges.
Some larger pelagics including 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
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.
Bahari Wreck
Depth: 30m
This is a 50 year old wreck which would have been used for transport of
spares and heavy equipment from the quayside to Royal Navy ships anchored
in the harbour. It is the home of Sweepers and Fusiliers, and resident
Silver Sweetlips. Other fish that you might see include Guinea Fowl Blaasops,
Large Stingray, Scorpion Fish and Cobia. It is located about 20 minutes
out of Stone Town.
Great Northern Wreck
Depth: 16m
This is the remains of an old cable layer that sank in 1900. The wreck
has plenty of fish, eels and a huge variety of coral. Visibility in the
area is excellent.
Murogo Reef
Depth: 24m
This is home to many turtles and has a sloping reef wall with a large
variety of coral and fish.
Pange Reef
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, including
Clown Fish, Parrot Fish, Moorish Idol and many others. Many people do
night dives on the reef to see cuttlefish, squid, crab and other night
dwellers.
Unidentified Barge
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 and Morays. Only 4 people are allowed to go out to the reef at a
time. Beacause of this, the dive costs a little extra.
Nyange Reef
Depth: 26m
This is the largest reef on the west coast and has several unique dive
sites. A new series of coral which marine biologists believe is endemic
to Nyange, has been identified on this reef.
Zanzibar Island - NUNGWI
Nungwi is the one of the most popular places for diving on the
island of Zanzibar. Although there are only 3 major reefs if you get tired
of these, most dive shops can arrange diving out to Mnemba.
Leven Bank
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 that 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
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
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.
Zanzibar Island - MNEMBA
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
Depth: 20 to 40m
This reef includes large coral species such as Mushroom, Honeycomb, 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
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. Most of the year you will find Bottlenosed, Spinner
and Common Dolphins.
Aquarium
Depth: 18m
The name speaks for itself; 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
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
Dolphin fish. 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
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.
PEMBA ISLAND
The diving around Pemba Island is some of the best in the archipelago!
Here’s why!
Emerald Reef
Depth: 30m
The average visibility on this reef is 30m. It derives its name from the
green coral covering. It is located on the southern most point of Pemba
and is subject to strong currents. There is a gentle slope from 7 - 30m
where many large brown marbled grouper are found. Most varieties of fish
life are found between 20m & 25m and these include damselfish, goldies
and fusiliers. A large school of giant barracuda frequent the area. On
occasion hammerhead sharks have been seen.
Panza Wreck
Depth: 14m
A shallow dive on an old 100m long Greek freighter called the Paraportiani,
which sank in 1969, lying on an inside passage between the outer and inner
reefs. You can only dive on a slack low or a slack high. Strong currents
do occur. Best visibility is on a slack high, when there is always a mild
current present. The stern, which is intact, lies at a depth of 7m to
9 m while the bow lies in 12m to 14 m. The large helm is still in place.
An enormous variety of fish call the wreck home, including glassfish,
a resident juvenile napoleon wrasse, abundant unicorn fish of different
types, lionfish and trevally.
Samaki Reef
Depth: 20m
This is a large flat reef on the edge of the Pemba Channel, at a depth
of +20m. It is best for experienced divers, as strong currents are common.
There are scattered unspoilt corals richly inhabited by diverse marine
life. Look out for lobster, octopus and moray eels hiding amongst the
bommies, surrounded by large schools of Trevally, Surgeonfish and Fusiliers.
Mesali Big Blue
Depth: 40m
For experienced divers only!! Drop into the blue and get swept along Mesali's
Southern Channel. You need eyes in the back of your head for this dive,
as the possibility of reef sharks, barracuda and giant rays is high.
Makarere Reef
Depth: +30m
An interesting, undulating reef set on a sandy slope on Mesali's southwestern
edge. A series of coral hillocks extend from the top of the reef at 8-10m
to the bottom at more than 30m. The corals are home to torpedo rays, moray
eels and lobsters, along with many reef fish while the sandy valleys are
home to schools of surgeon and unicorn fish, roaming napoleon wrasse and
large spotted eagle rays. This area is in dolphin territory and you can
often hear a pod of friendly spinners nearby.
Mesali Coral Garden - Razorback Reef
Depth: 45m
The coral garden runs North - South mainly conducted as a drift dive.
It consists of a multitude of different corals, all in extremely good
condition. At its Southernmost point the corals might not be at their
best but turtles can be sighted here. The whole site has at least three
resident Napoleon Fish, varying in size. The Razorback Reef and a further
deep reef for experienced divers can be included on this dive. The inside
face of the razorback reaches 30m while the outside face reaches 40m.
There is excellent fish life all around this reef. The deep reef can be
looked at from the top at 45m, from where very large Napoleon Fish and
a 2.5 m bull shark have been seen.
Mesali Coral Mountain
Depth: +45m
Rose coral dominates this beautiful mountainous site, to which some unusual
fish such as the leaf fish, are attracted. Octopus and lobsters can be
seen here and manta rays have been spotted passing through the area. Depths
reach 80 m. Many other game fish such as dog tooth tuna, rainbow runner
and trevally hunt on the mountain and blue striped fusiliers abound.
Mapinduzi
Depth: +45m
A wall dive dropping to 45 m with large gorgonians and fan corals adorning
its sides. This site has also had sightings of manta rays, big shoals
of barracuda and sharks. Giant triggerfish live here in large numbers.
They are Pemban triggers and are not aggressive.
Uvinje Gap
Depth: 40m
A spectacular sheer wall, dropping to over 40m, with breathtaking overhangs
and numerous fish such as Moorish Idols, Butterfly and Angelfish hiding
amongst the black corals commonplace in this area. Large Groupers and
Napoleon Wrasse can be spotted at depth. There is plenty of life in the
shallows, with thousands of goldies playing amongst the large coral bommies.
Uvinje Outer Walls
Depth: +40m
The coral on the North wall is in excellent condition with large gorgonians
and fan corals surrounded by the thousands of ever-present goldies. Manta
and spotted eagle rays are known to frequent the area as well as giant
reef rays and hawksbill and green turtles. Schools of Tuna, Barracuda
and large Napoleon Wrasse have been seen here. The top of the site starts
at 7 m and in places, terraces down to below 40m.The South Wall starts
at 6m and drops again to 40m+. Here again you may see Napoleon Fish, large
Grouper and some Pelagics. Here let the current swing you into the gap
along the spectacular sheer wall.
The Balcony
Depth: +30m
A deep wall from 7 m to 100m, covered in Sea Whips and Gorgonian Fans,
with a giant overhang hence the name. Look out for large Napoleon Wrasse,
big Mackerel, Jackfish and large numbers of Fusiliers.
The Cave
Depth: +30m
The top of the reef is a shallow 4 m sandy bottom with a sheer cliff face
dropping down to more than 100m. A cave is found on this wall at depth.
Large Pelagics are ever present and the currents can be strong. Look out
for turtles on the wall.
Fundu South Wall
Depth: +40m
Strong currents can be present and as on many dives in Pemba, only recommended
for experienced divers. The reef lies from 5m to 40m+. Shallow caverns
and sheer wall faces make up the topography of this wall with superb coral
formations and plentiful fish life. Kingfish, Jacks, Barracuda and Napoleons
are present with Humphead Parrotfish and Sweetlips swimming around the
Yellow Fans.
Manta Point
Depth: 40m
A coral pinnacle reaching up from 40m to within 8m of the surface situated
just outside the mouth of Fundu Gap. Due to its name you would expect
proverbial luck not to provide manta ray sightings. However they do still
come into this area occasionally - sometimes visiting a cleaning station
and sometimes just cruising out of the blue at any depth. The pinnacle
is covered in beautiful dense, corals and drops dramatically on its Western
side. The abundance of fish on this reef makes it a superb dive - one
of the best - with or without the coveted manta ray. Circling the pinnacle
you can watch the behaviour of large Jack fish, schools of Surgeonfish
and Fusiliers, the occasional Reef Shark and turtle.
The Gauntlet
Depth: 25m
This exhilarating dive at Fundu Gap is best on an incoming tide dropping
into the water at the top end of the reef at around 10m, where you can
find a series of pretty coral bommies to swim over and down at 25m where
you will find yourself on top of the wall, being swept into the Gap and
across the Gauntlet. This can be extremely quick so sit back and enjoy
the ride. Interesting overhangs and rock formations caused by deep fissures
in the cliff face are a spectacle.
Mandela Wall
Depth: 15m
The top of Mandela Wall is between 8 and 15m deep and drops dramatically
to 200m + in some parts. The vertical drop is adorned with gorgonian sea
fans and whip corals. Keep your eyes peeled for large pelagics and also
for the beautiful manta ray which may pass by.
Njao Gap
Depth: 18m
Njao Gap North is a beautiful coral garden starting at 5 m and sloping
down to 18 m before dropping away into the deep blue of the wall. Resident
green and hawksbill turtles are a common sighting and the currents can
be strong and exhilarating. Njao Gap South is best dived using the Northerly
current to sweep you inside. Drift dive this reef with large Napoleon
Wrasse and look out for more turtles in the cabbage corals which abound.
As you enter the gap look out for Manta Rays as the bottom again drops
away to form a breathtaking immense vertical wall reaching un-diveable
depths.
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