Diving in Tanzania and the Zanzibar Archipelago
The warm clear waters along the Tanzanian coast offer superb and
varied diving; with, some of the most spectacular sites in the
gulf between Zanzibar and Pemba. Here the rough waters and
strong currents are home to manta rays, white sharks,
hammerheads and an abundance of pelagic life.
The best diving on Zanzibar Island is at Mnemba Atoll. The reef
around this tiny East Africa Island offers a range of good inner
and outer wall dives, as well as some beautiful coral gardens.
Being located on the deepwater side of Zanzibar, this site is
also a good place to catch sight of both whale-sharks and
humpbacks during the migration. If you are going to restrict
diving to Zanzibar Island only, then the most part of your trip
should be centered around Matemwe and Mnemba Island.
The cluster of islands around Mafia island, which is south of
Zanzibar, offers excellent locations for diving, holidays. The
main island of Mafia has a hotel that offers diving trips within
the marine park. Not many divers visit these sites yet, even
though they are sheltered, relatively shallow and teaming with
life. You can also dive in the unsheltered Indian Ocean side of
Mafia which promises classic reef formation, walls, pinnacles,
an abundance of tiger sharks and coral gardens, However, diving
here is more difficult due to the swells, even when the waters
are calm, The warm Indian Ocean waters surrounding Pemba Island
are home to thousands of species of tropical fish and exotic
marine life. The shallows around the numerous islands of Pemba
offer stunning, snorkeling in aquamarine waters, lush coral
gardens which stretch far ahead and then suddenly plunge into
the dark blue depths of Pemba's incredible drop offs.
The small villages in this out of the way Island of Pemba have
had little impact on the surrounding reefs; Pemba is relatively
unknown and tourism is limited. These factors have helped to
preserve the reefs and they remain in pristine condition. These
exciting reefs stretch out as far as the eye can see. Large
pelagic fish swim and hunt amongst the thousands of small,
brightly colored reef fish that play around the plunging
drop-offs and in the turquoise waters of the shallows - an
underwater naturalist's dream. Pemba is renowned for its
pristine and un-spoilt coral reefs but also for its vertical
coral cliffs which plummet to depths of more than eight hundred
meters. Underwater visibility often reaches forty meters or
more. Looking over the precipice of some of the outer walls can
be a mind blowing experience! Watch out for the Vertigo!
Pemba also has a stunning wreck dive in the South of Pemba
Island at Panza populated by large groupers and Napoleon wrasse.
Mesali Island is famous as Pemba's only marine sanctuary. A
visit to this beautiful reef is a must for all - beach lovers,
snorkellers and divers alike. A perfect spot for a picnic and
with delightful walks through the interior bush, you can spend
the day relaxing on the white beach or snorkeling and diving on
the numerous reefs around the island. The Mesali beaches are
especially important as sea turtle nesting beaches.
Diving in Tanzania and in the islands off the coast offers some
of the best diving the world has to offer. A driving vacation
after a safari makes for a holiday of a life time. When you book
please try to ensure you use operators, lodges that pay fair
wages and help the communities on which they rely.
For further information Bethel Adventure on Tanzania,
Kilimanjaro and the islands of Zanzibar.
http://www.betheladventure.co.uk uses tourism to fund community
initiatives focused on the education of the young and the
medical care for the whole family.