Most of the dives in Zanzibar are double dives with a traditional Zanzibar lunch or light refreshments included in the cost. There are a variety of dive sitessuited to all levels of divers experience. Frequently seen are turtles – as many as fourteen at one time – large groupers, blue spotted rays, morays and the occasional reef shark. The deeper water of the east coast is host to whale sharks (March, August & Sept), leopard rays and dolphins. The variety of coral is excellent and reef fish abound.

For those who wish to learn to dive the calm, clear waters of Zanzibar are an ideal learning ground. Courses are conducted in accordance to the PADI regulations and standards. Dive sites for open water students are chosen very carefully to ensure that conditions are suitable for novice divers.

DIVE SITES STONE TOWN

PANGE REEF: Pange reef is the first sand bank west of Zanzibar Town, maximum depth 14mts. An enormous variety of coral and lots of tropical reef fish such as Clown Fish, Parrot Fish, Moorish Idol and many others. Pange reef is ideal for Open Water Diver courses, as it offers calm and shallow waters. After the sun goes down why not try a night dive, where you may see cuttle fish, squid, crab and other night dwellers.

BAWE ISLAND: Bawe has a reef stretching around it with a maximum depth of 18mtrs. Here you will find beautiful corals like Acropora, Staghorn, Brain corals and a large variety of reef fish.

WRECKS: Wreck diving for all levels: At 12 mtrs The Great Northern (built 1870) which sank on New Years Eve 1902 a British steel cable laying ship. She has become a magnificent artificial reef after these many years and is home to a number of Leaf fish, Lionfish and Geometric moray’s. Parts of the ship can still be identified and some relics may still be found though not taken. The Great Northern is an ideal wreck for the beginner diver as it is only 12 mtrs and is a snorkellers paradise.

At 30 mtrs a wreck of the Royal Navy Lighter. It is home to large schools of Rainbow Runners, Trevally, Sweepers, Yellow finned Goat Fish and sometimes Reef sharks. For experienced Advanced divers and above. See below for more information.

At 40 mtrs a Pontoon Steam Sand Dredger The Penguin. This dive is for very experienced DEEP DIVERS.

A fantastic dive because of the huge numbers of big Bluefin Trevally, Barracuda, big Stingrays, Morays and lots more. See below for more information.

MUROGO REEF: Maximum depth 24mtrs. It has a sloping reef wall with a huge variety in coral and fish. Turtle are often seen on this dive and this is usually our preferred third dive site for the Open Water Diver course. Only 25 minutes away from our dive shop in our traditional Zanzibar Dhow powered by a 100hp Volvo Penta.

NYANGE REEF: This reef is the largest of all reefs on the west coast and contains several dive sites, all of which are unique. A new species of coral has recently been identified on this reef and marine biologists believe it to be endemic to Nyange. The Zanzibar Dive Centre is the only dive shop to dive this reef on a regular basis. The sites dived are called Turtles Den, Groupers play ground and Coral Bay.

BORIBU REEF: One of the best dive sites off Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Dive Centre is the only dive operator in Stone Town able to transport divers to this pristine reef. Boribu is only 45minutes by our fast custom made fiberglass boat. Huge Barrel Sponges, enormous Gorgonian fan’s, large Moray eel’s pelagic fish, large lobsters are all features of this dive. In season Whale sharks pass through. The maximum depth is 30mtrs. Boribu has an underwater reef unlike any other in Zanzibar with beautiful mountains of varying corals including the spectacular columna corals.

DIVE SITES FROM
MATEMWE BEACH VILLAGE and BLUEBAY BEACH RESORT

MNEMBA ATOLL

KICHWANI: Deep, clear, drift dive from 20m to 40m depending on the divers experience. Many coral species; Mushroom, Honeycombe, Brain and Staghorn Coral to name just a few. Below 30m a vertical wall of reef fish, Trumpetfish and large Napoleon Wrasse. The lucky see Reef sharks, Eagle and Manta rays.

WATTABOMI: Excellent site for snorkellers and novice divers. Schools of small reef fish, Regal Angelfish, many Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse, Semicircle Angelfish, Moorish Idol, eel’s, Blue Spotted Rays, Lionfish, and many more. Take your time looking for Flounders and Soles. These fish lie on their side buried in the sand, and are very well camoflaged. For most of the year you will be treated to the beautifully-patterned Striped Dolphin, but the Bottlenosed, Spinner and common Dolphins also occur in the clear waters around Mnemba. This is an excellent photographic opportunity both above and below the water.

AQUARIUM: Depth to 20m. There is usually a slight current at this site. Patches of sandy bottom occur quite close to the reef with Surgeonfishes, Moorish Idols, parrotfish, Groupers, large Hawksbill and Green Turtles along with White tip reef shark’s.

WEST GARDENS: Depth 12 mtr’s. Good spot for snorkellers and novice diver’s.

THE BIG WALL: Depth of 30mtr’s dropping off to 50 mtr’s You will decend down to 30 mtr’s drifting along a vertical wall. On you silent drift along this wonderful wall you will be passed by different species of pelagic school’s of Rainbow Runner, Bluefin Trevally and sometimes Common Dolphinfish. Along the edge of the wall you find some overhangs and small caves often filled with Lobster’s.

Information courtesy of Zanzibar Dive Centre, One Ocean