Shore Diving

There are a few shore dives off Nungwi on Zanzibar’s northern tip which cater to beginner divers and nigh divers. Here, it is likely you will see lionfish, trumpet fish, and honeycomb moray eels. On night dives, divers often see Spanish Dancers, Octopus, Lobsters and Moray Eels on night dives.

Boat Diving

The diving in Zanzibar is mostly on the east side of the island and can be undertaken either by day boat or by liveaboard.
Some of the best diving is located at the Mnemba Atoll, with calm, shallow dives on the inside of the lagoon and sheer walls on the outside means it caters for everyone. A must dive for keen, advanced divers is the Big Wall, done as a drift dive where you can regularly spot turtles which breed on the island and in season it is a good site to see Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks and Humpback Whales swimming past in the blue..

The beaches of Zanzibar are important nesting zones for Green and Hawksbill Turtles both of which are endangered and decreasing in number. Both used to be hunted in Zanzibar for their meat or pretty shells and now due to the decreasing numbers there are a few conservation projects on the island which protect these beautiful animals and also educate the local community. One of these on a nesting beach in Nungwi marks and protects nests then when they hatch they collect up the cute newborn turtles and nurture them in an aquarium environment. Once the turtles are 10 months old they are released back into the ocean and their extra size and age greatly increases their chances of survival. These sanctuaries are open to tourists and definitely worth a visit to see the turtles at close range and contribute to projects such as these which will help ensure that future generations of divers can also enjoy seeing turtles in the wild.

Tumbatu Island to the east of Nungwi also has a number of sites, very popular with macrophotographers. Here, soft corals shelter nudibranchs and leaf fish, while batfish swim past. Frog fish and green sea turtles also frequently swim by.

Leven Bank is an extremely popular advanced dive site. Located 7 miles off shore in the Pemba Channel, this dive site has huge drop offs, strong currents and great visibility. In addition to impressive landscapes and reefs, it is also possible to encounter Hammerhead sharks, White and Black Tip Sharks, Strawberry Grouper, Giant Saddleback Grouper and Moray Eels. This site is rarely crowded given the level of experience required, but is a gem for those able to attempt it.

Several wrecks are located off the coast of Stone Town and Kizimkazi. The Deep Penguin and the Royal Navy Lighter are among the most popular. These areas are home to large numbers of Bluefin Trevally, barracudas, stingrays and moray eels.

Liveaboard Diving

Two companies – Tanzania Yachts and Dive Wild Adventures operate liveaboards within the Tanzanian section of the Indian Ocean.

Tanzania Yachts boards on the island of Pemba at Wete Town Harbour before carrying on to Zanzibar and concluding the journey in Stone Town. They also run a route that begins in Dar es Salaam and sails towards Mafia Island. This route bypasses the dive sites off of Zanzibar, but is still quite spectacular. Dive Wild Adventures focuses more on the islands and sites in Zanzibar’s immediate vicinity.

How to Get There

Zanzibar airport is still small but developing with an annex building to be finish soon (Zanzibar time). Arrivals from most of the main airports in Kenia and Tanzania and a lot of Charter flights from Europe arrive on a daily basis.

Please notice that Yellow Fever card will be requested upon arrival along with Visa taxes.

Ferries from and to Dar Es Salam are scheduled all day long and there are some slow ferries connecting Zanzibar with mainland during the night. Usually the last ones are also used as cargo becoming the cheapest option for locals so smell from cargo and big crowds should be expected.

Dala-dala is the cheapest way to move around Zanzibar and by far, the most used one by locals. They are small and old trucks which can squeeze up to 20 pax on their back seats. Break downs or flat tires in the middle of the way are not surprising. If you are for an unforgettable experience, this is it.

Taxis are more expensive than expected due to fuel costs but the best option for a relaxing air conditioned trip. Roads are not in great shape and extreme caution must be carried while driving by  night since locals might be found sitting on the sides of the road.

Where to Eat & Drink

There is a huge variety in restaurants and clubs around the island of Zanzibar.

Most divers opt to stay in the quiet northern town of Nungwi. Nungwi is a small local village where you can find a good variety of low budget accommodation along with fancy hotels and restaurants. As you move away from the town itself, you will walk into increasingly luxury lodges that dot the shoreline.

The town has a strong Italian influence – with most locals speaking some Italian – and as such, pizza and pasta is readily available in addition to seafood. While upscale all-inclusive lodges are increasingly popular in the area, a number of independent and less expensive restaurants continue to exist. Langi Langi is by far the most popular restaurant in town. Owned by an Indian Rastafarian, this restaurant and hotel serves up a great curry and masala. Reservations are required! Otherwise, a walk on the beach will provide no end of stalls serving freshly grilled fish, seasoned with local flavours.

Cholo’s is a popular and very relaxed beachside bar, with plenty of hammocks and decent cocktails. The bar throws a popular beach party every couple of nights as well – check with locals for recent information.

If staying in Stone Town, guests will have even more variety in restaurants and nightlife. Mercury’s restaurant – owned by Queen’s Freddy Mercury – is an island institution. This restaurant/bar serves international and Zanzibari fare, with a great sunset view over the Indian Ocean. The Café at Emerson Spice is a current favourite among guests. It serves inventive Zanzibari fusion cuisine with again, a great view. Forodhani Gardens is another pleasant and more local place in the evenings, with simple meals served on a paper plate.

Other activities

If traveling to Zanzibar with a family, there are a number of activities available. Some Dive Centers, including Scubafish Zanzibar offer both Bubble Maker and Discover Scuba Diving courses. Snorkeling is of course always a popular option in these waters as well. Day trips to Mnemba Atoll Marine Conservation Area will often cater to (and satisfy) both divers and snorkelers in a single group. This is also a great sight for beginner divers, given the shallow starting point, calm waters and great visibility.

Zanzibar more broadly offers a number of family-friendly activities. Outside of Stone Town, much of the activities revolve around the beach and the ocean. Kayaking, snorkeling and sailing on a traditional dhow are all spectacular ways to spend lazy days on the beach. With a number of luxury lodges opening, there are also plenty of spas for an extra touch of relaxation and indulgence. There is also a small sea turtle aquarium in Nungwi.

For those interested in wildlife, the Jozani Forest is the island’s sole national park. Home to the endemic Red Colobus monkey, and several other primates, this tropical rainforest is always a pleasant break from the sun. A spice tour is another way to take a break from the beach.

The island’s capital, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cobbled labyrinth of streets can entertain the aimless wanderer for days. If interested in history, a number of sites including the Slave Market and the Palace of Wonders, are saturated with the island’s diverse history.

Tips

While on Nungwi you will meet loads of hand craft artists willing to show you their paintings. Local crafts are colourful and less expensive than in Stone Town. It is always worth to look around if you want to find the right present for those back home. Locals are used to bargain so don’t be afraid to try to push prices down.

It is worth keeping an eye out for ‘fake Masai’ who frequently walk the beaches outside of Nungwi. While these individuals will sell beautiful beadwork and art, they are not generally authentically Masai. Additionally, a number of ‘beach boys’ will typically try to escort you as you walk along the beach, selling you various crafts and artifacts. Prices do tend to be inflated, and a strong arm for bartering is recommended. If not interested in purchasing, a firm ‘no’ and signs of disinterest should be sufficient.

More broadly, the region is fairly safe and regular precautions for safety and security should be observed. Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.

Note that Zanzibar is a malaria-zone and appropriate prophylaxis is highly recommended. In  the event of a medical emergency, there is a high quality hospital in Matemwe, approximately 25km from Nungwi. This hospital does have a functioning hyperbaric chamber. There is also a  good hospital in Stone Town.

Zanzibar is a Muslim island, and visitors should remain respectful of local dress and customs. While in the beach towns bathing suits are appropriate, more coverage should be brought if traveling into Stone Town or the villages. It is also worth making note of when Ramadan occurs each year, since there are significant closures on the island during this period.