Incredibly scuba diving in Tanzania has not yet truly attracted the attention of the international scuba diving community that other diving destinations around the world receive.

This is either because there has not been enough publicity or those in the know like to keep some secrets. I suspect it is a touch of both but the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia have world class dive sites to blow the minds of the most seasoned divers.

In 2005 a new operation has opened up diving in the spectacular Mnazi Bay Marine Reserve near Mikindani on the southern Tanzanian coastline.

ZANZIBAR
The most commercial of the islands and a great destination to learn to dive. For experienced divers there are alternatives to the famous sites around Mnemba Atoll. PADI open water diver courses from $350 p.p.

Full details of Zanzibar dive sites

See our suggested specialized DIVING ITINERARIES

Pemba Island
Very few visitors but those that do come just keep coming back. Choose from live aboard or land based options. Truly magical sites for experienced divers.
And did I mention the whalesharks…..
PADI open water diver courses from around $450 p.p.

Full details of Pemba dive sites

See our suggested specialized DIVING ITINERARIES

Mafia Island
Again very few visitors and some of the worlds finest coral gardens make Mafia an incredible diving destination.
Tanzania’s first Marine National Park is located in Chole Bay and rightly so. It doesn’t get much better than cruising out on a dhow then dropping off into these sites.
PADI open water diver courses from $360 p.p.

Full details of Mafia dive sites

MIKINDANI, TANZANIA COAST – NEW IN 2005
Mikindani Bay and Mnazi Bay on the South-Eastern coast of Tanzania are the locations of some of the most spectacular, exciting and un-discovered diving in East Africa. Here the Southern Equatorial Current meets the African coast bringing a wealth of marine life from across
the Indian Ocean.

MIKINDANI DIVING PHOTO GALLERY

Full details of Mikindani dive sites - view www.eco2.com

Live Aboard Charters
Live aboard charters can combine several sites around the islands and offer a more private option, please ask for special charters from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
For the adventurous and genuinely pioneering explorers ask about live aboard charters discovering new sites on the reefs south of Songo Songo and Kilwa – these have only previously been dived by scientific researchers.
Please ask for details

As a basic guideline beginner and intermediate divers will love the clear waters of Zanzibar.

For the experienced diver visit Pemba and Mafia Islands and I guarantee you will be back for more. For absolute freedom and the chance to discover new reefs explore the southern Tanzanian coast from a live aboard boat.

It is a good idea for those who wish to learn to dive in Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia to contact their local PADI Dive Center at home to complete all their confined water dives (e.g. in swimming pool), theory and exam prior to arriving. Ask your PADI Dive Center to give you a referral form and you will then be able to complete your open water section of the course at your preferred destination in Tanzania. This is known as a Referral Course and can be done through any accredited PADI dive centre. Please ensure that all class records and files are brought with to Tanzania and you can save yourself 2 valuable days of your holiday.