6 Best Dive Sites in Tanzania
6 Best Dive Sites in Tanzania
Tanzania is the home of extremes—from the largest park in Africa (Nyerere National Park) to the continent’s highest peak (Mount Kilimanjaro)—this country offers mixed safari experiences. And if you are searching for the best dive sites, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you want to go deep in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean or snorkel in the freshwaters of Lake Tanganyika, it’s just you and your favorites. In this article, we discuss the best diving sites—marine and freshwater—so you can choose.
1. Pemba Island.
If you want to enjoy calm, warm waters, then head to Pemba. Though not as famous as Unguja, which is the main island, Pemba teems with vibrant marine species, such as hammerhead sharks.
The northern tip of the island offers some of the best diving. The virgin beach, the strong currents, and the white sand are perfect for swimming and relaxing. You will enjoy healthy corals, stunning walls, and clear visibility, especially from September to November.
As you go deeper into dive sites like Njao Gap, Fundu Gap, Mtangani, and Manta Point, you can view marine species, including whale sharks, manta rays, and humpback whales. Pemba has a few of the best places to stay, including the Manta Resort.
2. Mafia Island.
This remote island offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling. It lies 160 km south of Zanzibar. You can get there by flying from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar or by boat. Thanks to its abundant nutrients, Mafia harbors more than 200 resident whale sharks.
On top of that, you will find more than 50 different corals. With over 28 dive sites, where over 400 fish species live, your diving will be interestingly rewarding. Some of the marine species include green turtles, tuna, southern stingrays, snappers, and spinner dolphins.
The best spots in Chole Bay (southeast of Mafia) include Kinasi Pass and Dindini Wall (outside of Chole Bay). Other dive sites include the MV Mafia II wreck and Shark Point. Some dive points go deeper to 28 meters (92 ft).
In the Mafia Island, diving is better experienced from October through March. There’s clear visibility under the ocean. But if you want to swim with whale sharks, November to February is the best time.
3. Zanzibar
Zanzibar (or Unguja) is famous for the best dive sites in the archipelago. People come here to relax at vibrant beaches like Nungwi and Kendwa. But there are fascinating dive sites on this island. Here, you can dive to see marine species and more.
Nungwi, one of the top beaches of the archipelago, offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling. The Nungwi Reef harbors resident whale sharks and manta rays. And the corals beneath are colorful. It also hosts the annual migration of humpback whales (September to November). Are you new to scuba diving? Then this is your spot.
Mnemba Atoll is another dive site in Zanzibar. Here, you can dive as deep as 18 meters and enjoy the views of beautiful garden coral reefs, colorful fish, barracuda, kingfish, trevally, and dolphins. More importantly, even newbies can train for their first dive here.
On Leven Bank, you can dive to view coral reefs. This dive site is known for strong currents and is, hence, recommended for experienced divers only. Here, you can see pelagic species like kingfish, tuna, Napoleon wrasse, whitetip sharks, and barracuda.
4. Misali Island
Just a few kilometers off Pemba, you find Misali Island, an interesting island where coral reefs are untouched. It’s perfect for divers of all levels. And it offers the best visibility of the beautiful coral garden, such that it’s sometimes known as Misali Island Coral Garden.
The best way to get to Misali is to fly to Pemba Island. From there, you can sail for a few minutes to Misali. Misali has no lodges, so you can stay in Pemba. Also, be sure to bring your food if you are going there for a full day.
5. Dar es Salaam
Besides the tropical islands of Zanzibar and Mafia, this mega business capital also has the best dive sites. Some of the best dive sites include MV Nyassa and Msasani Peninsula.
Just a few kilometers off the Dar es Salaam coast, you find Bongoyo and Mbudya Islands. They are among four islands that make up the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve. Here, you will enjoy snorkeling and diving in untouched dive sites.
6. Lake Tanganyika.
Bodies surround Tanzania in every direction. While the Indian Ocean lies in the east, Lake Tanganyika lies in the west of the country. To the northwest is Lake Victoria, while to the south is Lake Nyasa (Malawi).
Of all these lakes, Lake Tanganyika offers the best diving experience. Here, you will meet over 350 freshwater species, including the cichlid species (about 200 species), which only exist in this long freshwater lake.
On top of diving, guests can watch the endangered chimpanzees in Gombe or Mahale National Parks. Forest walks in the mountainous regions of these parks reward you with frequent encounters with other primates.
The bottom line.
There’s much to explore in the underwater world of Tanzania. Whether you are going for freshwater dive sites or want to dive in the Indian Ocean, Tanzania will surprise you.
