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Tanzania

Marine diversity, healthy reefs and a sea that is often crystal clear have established the island of Pemba in the Indian Ocean as a world class dive destination.

Whale shark in Mafia Island, Tanzania

Scuba diving along the Tanzanian coast offers a world-class experience featuring the clear, tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, teeming with an abundance of marine life. The seas surrounding Pemba, Zanzibar, and Mafia Islands provide some of the most exclusive and excellent marine habitats, making your diving experience truly unique.

For explorers looking for experiences beyond diving, Tanzania offers breathtaking attractions above sea level. Adventurers can take on the trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro or participate in exciting wildlife safaris, where you can spot the Big Five and other unique species in their natural habitat. With its diverse activities, Tanzania is the perfect destination for a once-in-a-lifetime diving holiday.

Why We Love Tanzania

Tanzania is an excellent gateway to the Indian Ocean and the idyllic islands of Mafia and Pemba. Experience dive centres offer thrilling shark diving among the surprisingly diverse waters; there is never a dull moment!

Joanna, RegalDive

Tanzania

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Highlights

Marine diversity and health marine ecosystems
Dramatic underwater walls and cliffs of the Pemba Island
Amazing coral, pelagic life including turtles and excellent underwater visibility
Chilled diving of Pemba Island with rays and octopus and abundance of macro life
Zanzibar dive sites including Mnemba Atoll with whale
Sharks and manta rays
Fantastic base for two-centre holidays

Tanzania Dive Locations

Your next diving holiday starts here

Whale shark in Mafia Island, Tanzania

Mafia Island

A sleepy backwater and remnant of the old Swahili coast, Mafia Island is reminiscent of of the Zanzibar of 30 years ago.

Green turtle in Pemba, Tanzania

Pemba Island

The Pemba channel rises from great depths as it approaches the narrow straits that separate the island of Pemba from mainland…

Tanzania Resorts & Hotels

Mafia Island

Basecamp Mafia Island Eco Resort

Located on the south coast of Mafia Island, Chole Bay, this lodge sits amidst coconut palms on a sandy beach offering 34…

8 days from £2,395

Panorama of The Manta Resort in Pemba, Tanzania

Pemba Island

The Manta Resort

Take advantage of fantastic water-based activities on East Africa's finest island sanctuary. Manta Resort has an open plan…

8 days from £3,995

Gallery

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Tanzania

Giraffe in Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Whale shark in Mafia Island, Tanzania

Snow-capped anemone shrimp in Tanzania

African elephant in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Leopard in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Dolphins in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Beach in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Stone Town in Zanzibar, Thailand

Aerial of Chole Mjini in Mafia Island, Tanzania

Green turtle in Tanzania

Giraffe in Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Whale shark in Mafia Island, Tanzania

Snow-capped anemone shrimp in Tanzania

African elephant in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Leopard in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Dolphins in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Beach in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Stone Town in Zanzibar, Thailand

Aerial of Chole Mjini in Mafia Island, Tanzania

Green turtle in Tanzania

Tanzania Information

About Tanzania diving

The coast of East Africa is host to some of the Indian Ocean's finest dive sites. Marine diversity, healthy reefs and a sea that is often crystal clear have established the islands of Pemba, Zanzibar and Mafia as world class dive destinations. The warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean flow into the deep Pemba channel concentrating nutrients, which in turn support an impressive variety of marine life. Further south, Mafia Island Marine Park is home to an array of tropical marine habitats, two species of turtle and enjoys seasonal visits from whale sharks.

Inland, Tanzania offers some of the best game viewing opportunities in Africa. The regions landscape is both varied and spectacular, providing a stunning backdrop to the countries natural wealth of flora and fauna.

The coast of Kenya and Tanzania, along with the islands that lie off it, have developed over the past millennium in to a heady mix of East African and Arabian cultures. This has left its mark on both the local population and the cuisine, offering friendly people and tasty food.

Diving Around Pemba Island

Pemba Island offers an incredible mix of thrilling drift dives, deep water drop offs, dramatic marine walls and magical picture postcard white beaches and inlets.

The protected reefs and dramatic vertical coral cliffs of more than 800 metres are the defining feature of many dive sites along the west coast. Coral gardens, sponges and sea fans cover these marine cliffs, which often stretch as far as the eye can see and hosts a fascinating array of colourful reef fish, turtles and pelagics and large Napoleon wrasse. The view over some of these spectacular precipices is typically excellent, from 20 - 60 metres.

The island of Pemba itself is the world's largest producer of cloves. Fragrant plantations cover much of the island, and provide the major source of income for the island. Stretching along the east coast, there are a number of exquisite small islands, coves and bays bordered by white sand beaches that help make the island timelessly beautiful.

Diving Around Mafia Island

Mafia Island is the most southerly of the archipelago, and the majority of dive sites are located in Chole Bay, part of the marine park. The sheltered and shallow bay is a natural harbour with dive sites from 5-27 metres depth. Highlights here include Nudi City and Frogfish Town, both located off Utende beach. The sites offer an abundance of macro life, resident barracuda and regular sightings of rays and octopus.

Outside the bay, Kinasi Pass is known for its pinnacle, rising from 24 to 12 metres, where Jesus and Moses, two huge potato cod, are regularly seen. It's a popular dive site for experienced divers.

The healthy reefs and variety of tropical marine habitats offer divers an incredible diversity and vibrant marine life to enjoy.

Tailormade holidays & twin-centre

We offer tailormade holidays to Pemba and Mafia. This means that we can organise your holiday based on your requirements. We can also offer a twin centre option of Pemba or Mafia with a safari option or a trek to Kilimanjaro.

What to see when

Scuba diving in Tanzania is an incredible experience, particularly during the dry season from July to March. This is the optimal time to explore the underwater wonders of the region. Throughout this period, divers can encounter green and hawksbill turtles gracefully navigating the waters. If you're diving in August, there's a chance to see migrating humpback and sperm whales along the coast, a breathtaking sight that adds to the adventure.

As the season progresses, October signals the arrival of whale shark season. These magnificent creatures can be spotted between Mafia Island and the mainland of Africa, making it a prime time for divers seeking to witness them up close. November continues this trend, offering excellent opportunities to see whale sharks off the coasts of Pemba Island and Zanzibar as well.

Mafia Island, in particular, is a hotspot for marine biodiversity, where you might come across not only whale sharks but also hawksbill turtles, giant frogfish, southern stingrays, and various reef sharks. The best times for these unforgettable sightings extend from November to March for whale sharks and from June to September for turtles, making Mafia Island a must-visit destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.

Hawksbill turtle in Thailand

Jun-Sep

Hawksbill turtle

Likelihood: Likely

Tanzania’s coastline is an important nesting ground for both green and hawksbill turtles

Whale shark in Indonesia

Oct-Mar

Whale sharks

Likelihood: Very likely

Adolescent male whale sharks gather around Mafia Island from November to March, and can also be seen on occasion from Zanzibar.

Humpback whale in Tanzania

Aug-Oct

Humpback and sperm whales

Likelihood: Occasionally

Humpback and sperm whales migrate through Tanzania’s waters from August to October annually

About Tanzania

When to dive Tanzania

Get ready for an unforgettable diving adventure in Tanzania, where the gorgeous islands of Pemba, Mafia, and Zanzibar come alive with a fish spectacle during the dry season!

Zanzibar is like a treasure chest filled with wonders. You'll have the chance to meet charming green turtles, majestic whale sharks, and elegant hawksbill turtles. Don't forget to watch for the elusive spotted eagle rays and the incredible humpback whales—it's truly a remarkable experience!

Mafia Island, especially around Chloe Bay, is a place for great fish gatherings and home to over 400 marine species. Scuba divers and snorkellers can swim side by side with gentle whale sharks and encounter the beautiful hawksbill turtles. Look out for the fantastic giant frogfish, southern stingrays, and white-tip reef sharks—there's so much to see!

And don't forget about Pemba! Its beautiful white sand beaches and reefs are a paradise for green turtles, whale sharks, and those amazing spotted eagle rays, making it perfect for divers and nature enthusiasts. Plus, the gently sloping coral reefs in the Majira Channel allow scuba divers to spot dugongs, too. Dive in and check out these incredible underwater worlds!

Who is Tanzania diving suitable for?

Scuba diving in Tanzania is perfect for everyone, no matter your skill level. The islands off the coast are a tropical fish paradise, making it a great spot for both snorkelers and experienced divers to enjoy some boat diving. There are great options for a twin-centre holiday, so you can check out beautiful coral reefs, explore shipwrecks, and even visit one of the best wildlife game reserves or take a trek in the outback for an unforgettable holiday experience. It's a popular spot for all kinds of travellers, whether you're flying solo, on a honeymoon, or looking for a fun family vacation.

What's the best way to dive Tanzania

Tanzania is renowned for its fantastic resorts situated right at the seafront, granting access to some of the most stunning white sandy beaches in paradise. The unique topography of Pemba makes it an ideal destination for both snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts. To experience the vibrant underwater world, visitors can easily access dive sites such as Njao Gap or Fundu Reef aboard comfortable dive boats. During the peak season, the underwater visibility can be astonishingly clear, reaching up to 60 meters.

For scuba divers venturing around Mafia Island, there are exceptional macro experiences to be had in locations like Nudi City and Frogshish Town, which are conveniently located right by the resorts. More experienced divers have the opportunity to embark on dive boat excursions to more remote sites, where they can explore vertical walls with visibility of 30 meters and teeming with thriving corals and may even encounter graceful turtles swimming by.

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