Guide To Diving In Zanzibar

Guide To Diving In Zanzibar : There are numerous locations that spring to mind when you think about taking a beach vacation. Nonetheless, few places can match Zanzibar’s calm and serene vibe. Beautiful white sand beaches with palm trees swaying in the sea breeze, a turquoise blue ocean, exquisite spices, and the winding lanes of Stone Town are just a few of the attractions that draw people to the well-known archipelago.

Zanzibar’s natural beauty draws tourists, and its pristine turquoise blue water makes it one of the best safari destinations for diving and snorkeling. In order to breach the water from a height of more than a few metres, which beaches in Zanzibar are the best?

Boribu Reef.
One of the finest safari destinations in Zanzibar for diving, snorkeling, and other water sports is the Boribu Reef. You can submerge yourself to a maximum of thirty metres while being entertained the entire time. The reef is distinguished by its immaculate waters, peculiar column corals, and striking kaleidoscope coral mountains. In and around the reef, you can also spot enormous barrel sponges and gorgonian sea fans. On this dive, you might spot bluefin tuna, barracudas, lobsters, and moray eels, among other aquatic life.

Mnemba Atoll.
About 4.5 km off the northeast coast of Zanzibar’s Unguja Island sits the Mnemba Atoll. It’s praised as one of the world’s top diving locations right now. Magnificent coral reefs and marine reserves round the island, guaranteeing an unforgettable underwater safari experience. You will undoubtedly enjoy an amazing safari experience on Mnemba Island for years to come, even if you are not an experienced diver. In addition, the island exudes an air of exclusivity and intimacy, so when you’re not venturing down to the bottom, you can simply relax on the white sand beach and take in Mnemba’s ultimate haven.

Wattabomi.
One of the most well-known dive spots in Zanzibar is Wattabomi, which has a breathtaking underwater environment with a slope ranging from 6 to 30 metres. Wattabomi is a great place for drift and reef dives, and it’s a great place for both novice and expert divers. Some very unusual aquatic animals can be found here, including black snappers, groupers, bottlenose dolphins, angelfish, blue-spotted stingrays, flounders, octopuses, scorpionfish, stonefish, frogfish, and trevallies.

Kichwani.
Another fantastic spot in Zanzibar for both seasoned divers and beginners to have a blast is Kichwani. Dive down at a 45-degree angle to discover soft coral and an amazing variety of marine life, including dolphins, moray eels, leaf fish, clownfish, trumpet fish, frogfish, mackerel, snappers, and nudibranchs. Kichwani boasts a virtually vertical wall that makes for excellent drift diving.

Prison Island.
While not a conventional diving location, Zanzibar’s renowned Prison Island does provide some great snorkelling opportunities. This region, also called Changuu Island, is roughly thirty minutes by boat from Stone Town. Giant Aldabra tortoises, some of which are around 200 years old, can also be found on the island. This is undoubtedly an excellent location to be if you’re a novice diver who wants to take things slow and steady.

Nungwi Beach.
Known for being one of the top beach spots in Zanzibar with tonnes of safari activities, especially if you’re the party kind, Nungwi beach is situated on the northwest coast of the island. Fantastic coral reefs, the azure Indian Ocean, and an abundance of marine life make Nungwi a great place to dive.

When to Go Diving In Zanzibar.
Dry season, which runs from November to March, is considered the greatest time to go diving in Zanzibar. This is also the ideal time to experience the best of Zanzibar and see grey and hammerhead sharks. Diving may not be the best during the rainy season, which typically runs from March to May because of the higher tides.

Diving Conditions.
Depending on the season and the diving site, visibility can change. Anticipate 15 to 30 metres of visibility in some spots; but, in the vicinity of Mnemba Atoll, it may reach up to 40 metres. Remember that the undersea current can be very strong in certain places, so make sure to inquire about recommendations from the local or Stone Town dive centers based on your level of diving safari experience.

In Zanzibar, there are numerous diving centres, the majority of which hold PADI certification. In addition to the more well-known beaches like Nungwi, Kiwengwa, and Matemwe, you can discover them in the vicinity of Stone Town. Here, you can take a refresher course to brush up on your diving and snorkelling skills or learn everything there is to know about scuba diving as a newbie in Zanzibar.