Tanzania is a divers paradise.
Every shoreline seems to offer a wide diversity of marine life and Zanzibar is the mecca of coral reef offerings. The warm currents that flow through the ocean in this part of the world encourage snorkelling and diving from the beach or just a short boat ride form the shore.
There are some really idyllic spots to dive from in Tanzania and most accommodate all levels of diver from beginners to experienced divers.
Unguja or Zanzibar Island is great for snorkelers or beginners wanting to learn the intricacies of diving, as is has many sheltered tidal lagoons that are shallow allowing you to build up confidence before heading for the open water. For more experienced divers Pemba Island would be a big attraction.
Pure Zanzibar can arrange scuba and snorkelling trips, from any hotel you choose, to satisfy all ability levels. All of their trips are fully insured through vetted local companies. Safari Blue is one of the most popular options for snorkelling trips of all levels.
If you are a beginner there are a number of places offering courses from an initial 'taster' lesson to 3 day lessons that will ensure you can dive safely at a reef. Diving in Zanzibar can be found at Stone Town, Nungwi and Mnemba Atoll.
Murogo Reef is accessible by boat from Stone Town and it's perfect as it has different species of hard coral including plate, brain, branching and staghorn coral that attract a large variety of marine life from sea anemone fish, turtles, stingrays, puffer fish and starfish!
Leven Banks is quite far out from Zanzibar and quite a remote site so you'll have guides with you here. This is a truly spectacular reef though with undamaged live corals and huge shoals of tropical fish.
Pemba is one of the ultimate dive sites offered in the area and is known for the strong currents so you have to be experienced to dive here. It's well worth it though as its home to tuna, turtles, open sea fish and sharks and totally breathtaking!
The waters around Pemba are rarely dived and as such as some of the most rich and exciting in the world with long stretches of coral where the walls can drop to depths up to 100 metres and visibility is superb to about 30 metres!
Mafia Island is famous all over the world for its diving. This is again down to the rich reefs, abundance of hard and soft corals and diversity of tropical fish. The island is popular for wall diving, cave diving, drift diving and night diving. The prime time to visit Mafia Island is during the Whale - Shark migration which takes place from November to January.
If you've been diving in Tanzania, you'll want to go back time and time again!
