Tanzania offers world-class diving, particularly around the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia. The waters are known for their clarity, with visibility often exceeding 30 metres, and for vibrant coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life. The region offers year-round diving with water temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C.
Divers can expect to see a wide array of fish, turtles, dolphins, and even whale sharks and manta rays in certain seasons.
Mafia Island
Mafia Island forms part of the famous Tanzanian Spice Islands, situated in the Indian Ocean. This wonderful landmass features mangrove thickets, coastal moorlands, and lowland forest. The Mafia Archipelago’s coral reefs, sandbars, lagoons, and beaches form part of the Mafia Island Marine Park – Tanzania’s first national marine park.
This spectacular, unspoiled area offers visitors rich, colourful reefs with over 50 hard and soft corals, over 460 species of fish, and a variety of marine life, making this area excellent for diving. Visitors can spot whale sharks and sea turtles in the clear waters, watch hippos wallowing in the reed-lined lakes of the interior and discover the many rustic fishing villages scattered around the island.
Zanzibar
Mnemba Atoll: world-renowned marine reserve with vibrant coral reefs, diverse fish populations, and frequent sightings of turtles and dolphins.
Nungwi and Tumbatu Island: a variety of dive sites suitable for all levels, with healthy coral formations and abundant marine life.
Chumbe Island Coral Park: A fully protected marine sanctuary with some of the healthiest coral reefs in Tanzania.
Leven Bank: Located in the Pemba Channel, this site offers drift diving along a steep wall, with large pelagic species like barracuda and trevally.
Pemba Island
Njao Gap: A narrow channel between coral reefs, known for its large numbers of reef sharks and barracudas.
North Horn: Famous for its pelagic encounters, including white-tip, silvertip, and hammerhead sharks.
Mtangani: A deep dive site with strong currents, known for hammerhead sightings.
Mafia Island
Chole Bay: numerous dive sites including Kinasi Wall and Milimani Reef, known for their abundant marine life, including groupers, snappers, and turtles.
Jina Pass and Dindini Wall: outside of Chole Bay, with encounters with a variety of marine species.
Milimani Reef: ancient hard coral formations and is known for encounters with hawksbill turtles and Napoleon wrasse.
