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Diving in Mikindani
Snorkelling and diving is conducted outside
of Mikindani Bay and inside the Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine
Park. Normally dives are twice a day although a third dive or a
night dive can be arranged. Diving in the marine park incurs a $10
per day entry fee. Training is provided for all PADI SCUBA courses
up to instructor level
MIKINDANI
DIVING PHOTO GALLERY
Some of the dives
- Outer Reef and Big Blue - Steep
drop offs with large schools of pelagics. Whale sharks and manta's
regularly seen. Extensive spur and groove system literally covered
in reef fish and abundant marine life
- Channels Reefs - Forests of
giant seafans in deeper water, spectacular cliffs of 'photogenic'
foliose and plate coral with large coral promontories in the shallows
- Pinnacles - Extending to the
depths (150m), architecturally impressive columns and walls that
make the descent feel like skydiving.
- Coral gardens - Amazing variety
of patch reefs of different character including staghorn dominated
and mixed coral gardens teeming with fish life.
Other activities include:
- Walks (mangroves, intertidal reef-flats)
- Whale watching (Aug to Nov)
Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park
Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park was gazetted
in 2000 having been identified as an area of high biodiversity value
at both a national and international level.
The marine park covers approximately 200sqkm of
sea and estuary and 400sqkm of land area. The large land area ensures
that the 10 villages and 5 sub-villages that have traditionally
depended on the marine resources of the park are included within
the park and are an integral part of management decision making
and other park activities such as the establishment of sustainable
resource regimes and alternative income generating activities.
Some of the best diving in Tanzania is found within
the marine park and includes spectacular outer reef drop offs,extensive
spur and groove formations, channel and patch reefs. Over 400 species
of fish have so far been identified and more species of coral (>258)
than anywhere else on the East African Coast. Intertidal reef flats
teaming with life and the pristine white sands of Ruvula beach complete
this tropical paradise.
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