Scuba diving and snorkeling Tanzania

The club is located within the magnificent Sunshine Marine Lodge. Strategically located, it faces the island of Mnemba, Zanzibar's main diving spot. Motorboat trips (diving or snorkeling possible) around the atoll or to other spots in the northeast of the island. Dive Point organizes French-speaking PADI training courses, as the manager (Simon) is a particularly friendly Frenchman. The equipment is luxurious and courses are given in the secondary pool reserved for this purpose. A dream setting for learning to dive.

Based in Pajé, Buccaneer Diving has 20 years of experience diving in East African waters, first in Mombasa, Kenya, then in Zanzibar. This very serious club offers dives in the Jambiani lagoon, a privileged place to see seahorses andstingrays, at the Blue Wall of Dongwe and Bwejuu, or in the famous seabed of Mnemba Island in the north and Kizimkazi in the south. Possibility to do a first dive or to pass the Padi Open water.

The Safari Blue has become a must-see attraction in Zanzibar. In fact, there are a lot of dhows in season, too many in fact. On the program: snorkeling above the coral reefs, somewhat damaged by so many people, swimming and stop on a sandbank to taste some fruits, then discovery of a magnificent mangrove lagoon and finally, lunch on a beach: fish, chicken, beef, squid, octopus, cuttlefish, cicadas ... the profusion! Each group has its own table, there are many people but it is pleasant.

The Nest Experiences offers you the chance to explore Zanzibar through a series of emotionally-charged adventures and discoveries made possible by top-of-the-range services. Swim with turtles, whale sharks (on an excursion to Mafia Island) or clown fish. Be a sailor on a thousand-year-old dhow, dive into the seabed or cruise with a bottle of champagne on a catamaran. Gallop along the beach on horseback, kitesurf in the lagoon... Enjoy spectacular experiences and memorable moments.

In this part of the world at the northern tip of Pemba, Swahili Divers is one of the most serious dive centers (PADI) on the island, with instructors who speak English and are very well trained. The interest of coming so far is to discover the unique seabed of Pemba (especially all the reefs located in the north of the island, very rich near the Tanga channel). The centre therefore offers all-inclusive packages with the Gecko Nature Lodge with which it is associated. This lodge offers different types of rooms at reasonable rates.

This diving center is located on the beach of the Mafia Island Lodge( interestingpackages ). In the wonderful reefs of Mafia, you can do your first dive, a PADI "open water", "advanced diver" or "divemaster". Good equipment. In addition, snorkeling in a dhow on the best spots nearby, visit Chole Island, sunset cruise, to meet whale sharks, turtles ... The must : the trip to the Marimbani sandbank with the barbecue on the beach made of coconuts to grill the fish. A professional and nice team.

Located on the beach of Nungwi, this diving club has a good reputation for the professionalism of its instructors and for the varied and programmed outings according to the interest of the divers. It offers PADI courses for different levels (beginner, advanced, Divemaster) as well as many diving trips, mainly around Mnemba Atoll (Kichuani, Wattabomi, Big Wall...) or in the surroundings of Nungwi (Tumbatu, Magic Reef...). Good material, nice French-speaking staff (useful to learn). Very recommendable.

Based at Emayani Beach Lodge, it is the only dive centre on the north coast between Dar es Salaam and Tanga. However, this coast is a marvel, the deep channel that separates the coast from the archipelago of Zanzibar is extremely rich in biodiversity and the diving spots are very numerous. There is no one around, a real privilege, and the corals are absolutely intact. The diving club is based at Ushongo Beach, 16 km south of Pangani, and also offers boat trips for snorkeling, windsurfing and kayaking.

This 5-star PADI dive center is owned by Utende's most economical hotel, Big Blue, which offers heavy tents to stay and dive in happiness. Its centre rents out all possible equipment, including underwater scooters! About thirty spots are proposed for diving to discover the wonderful reefs of Mafia. He also proposes various excursions on the island (Chole Island, Kua Lagoon and Ruins, Mange and Marimbani Sandbank, snorkelling, observation of sea turtles, whales and whale sharks...).

This diving club is one of the oldest on the island. It offers excellent diving and snorkeling in Mnemba and off Matemwe to the north. It is based in five hotels on the island, in Matemwe and Kiwengwa, as well as in Stone Town. The young, ultra-professional team is made up, in particular, of extremely well-trained locals for the various Padi levels. The program includes scuba diving and snorkeling in a dozen spots around the Mnemba atoll, where the water is so clear you can often see at 20 meters.

This 5-star PADI center has an excellent reputation, English speaking instructors and good equipment. It works with luxury hotels in Nungwi including the Z Hotel, and Essque Zalu. Diving is done from a traditional dhow boat or from one of the two fast Superducks. The centre offers trips to Mnemba Island as well as along the entire northeast coast, west side, around Tumbatu Island, around the neighbouring island of Pemba, to the southern cape or around the fabulous Missali Island marine protected area.

One of the most popular excursions in Zanzibar is the Dolphin tour, to observe these famous pods of dolphins, and, if you're fit enough, to swim with them. Hundreds of dolphins live in Kizimkazi Bay all year round. Early in the morning, you can watch them from the shore in tightly packed squads. The boats go far out to sea to find them, and drop you in their path. You then have to jump in quickly with mask and snorkel and swim in choppy waters, until they disappear into the depths. If you don't make too many sudden movements, they won't deviate. It's a magical moment. Some dolphins will interact with you, uttering their crystalline calls, and can be in a playful mood. The earlier you arrive, the more dynamic and playful they are, especially around 7-8 am. From a certain hour onwards, they're on the lookout for food and move further offshore, so the chance of encountering them is much rarer. In July and August, humpback whales can also be seen in this deep-water bay, unprotected by the coral reef that surrounds the island! Can be combined with Pungume (high-quality snorkeling and sandbar grilling).

Warning. This activity is not suitable for very young children, people who can't swim well (except to watch them) or who are afraid of boats - they can get a bit rocky in the open sea! The activity is also controversial. It raises questions about the methods used by local fishermen. Stalking dolphins, the continuous noise of engines, hordes of boats surrounding them, forcing them to deviate their trajectory. There are no ecological warnings, no marine ranger supervision... It's only a matter of time before the tourists jump on their backs! They had once become scarce in Kizimkazi Bay due to overcrowding... but have since returned as tourists have concentrated in Mnemba to swim with them. In fact, we strongly advise against this activity there, as the dolphins are even more harassed than at Kizimkazi, by around 30 boats from Nungwi, Muyuni and Kigomani. They are a little calmer towards Kizimkazi, where the waters are very rough, at the extreme south of the island, and therefore not very accessible to the crowds from the north, because it's far away... In June, the sea is too tossed about by the wind. High season is July-August and February. Try to ensure that your boat respects the tranquility of the groups of dolphins being tracked.

Those who love the Big Blue will be able tofreedive here, or try it out, thanks to courses given by a qualified instructor. The spots, accessible by boat, allow you to dive from 25 to 100 meters deep, depending on your level. The interest: by swimming like a fish in water, you do not make any more noise, the numerous dolphins swim with you in the depths in Kizimkazi. You can also admire the corals at Mnemba without a tank.

This agency specializes in underwater fishing, both around Unguja and Pemba. Its fleet consists of 5 boats with room for 4 divers each, two of the larger boats being very fast and ideal for day trips to Latham Island. These trips target giant dogtooth tuna weighing up to 100kg, while Latham Island is usually the first place in the area for all game fish.