The best diving in Zanzibar is found at the northern tip of the island, which is why Nungwi Beach is the closest access point to the top dive sites.
Tumbatu Island
Undoubtedly, Tumbatu Island has the nicest coral gardens on the Island. All three dive sites, have spectacular and flourishing coral reefs, with a large variety of both soft and hard corals.
Shetani & Popobawa
Allow yourself to descend on top of a marvelous reef, that starts at 3 meters deep and vertically drops to 12. Currents here are rare, so you can take your time to explore every cave and crevice, looking for moray eels and octopuses.
As you continue, look carefully on the sandy area where you can find nudibranchs and cuttlefish. Surrounded by snappers and batfish, some bommies are home to colorful leaf fish. Disguised scorpionfish are around, so make sure not to touch anything!
At the end of the dive, enjoy a long safety stop along the colorful coral gardens.
Mwana wa Mwana
Do you think you have seen big seahorses before?
Wait until you see the ones that live close to this stunning reef! After sloping gently from 4 to 10 meters, you will follow our eagle-eyed guides to a deeper sandy area, where these gentle animals live. Look here also for flying gurnards and cuttlefish.
Then, going back to the reef, you can enjoy finding very cool nudibranchs, ribbon eels and the elusive mantis shrimp.
Magic Reef
Magic Reef is a perfect place for photographers. A diver cannot swim for more than a few meters on this reef, without stopping to take a closer look at some unique creature.
Are you wondering why is it called Magic Reef?
Let us give you a hint. Imagine a place where you can find all the masters of camouflage on a single dive.
Divided in three small reefs, from 10 to 16m, it is full of surprises! Swim very slowly with the current, looking into every hole to find octopuses, and mantis shrimps. Even if they look like a coral, leaf fish and scorpion fish are very common here.
For the adventurous divers, a sandy slope reaching 22 meters is waiting for you. Look carefully at the sponges to find our favorite, the frogfish! You might also find spiny seahorses here, or even a turtle having a quick nap next to a barrel sponge.
Back at the reef, cuttlefish, crocodile fish, as well as the odd weedy scorpionfish, are all waiting to be found.
Hunga / Nankiville
Two of the best dive spots in Nungwi, usually having great visibility. Both spots lie in the middle of the ocean. They consist of big coral bommies, scattered into a flat sandy bottom, covered in a great, colorful variety of corals.
Jump from the boat in Hunga reef and be ready for a quick descend to 15 meters.
At the bottom, enjoy the scenery of a huge mix of hard and soft coral, surrounded by thousands of tropical fish. Schooling snappers and dusky sweepers are awaiting you at the North tip.
While cruising the reef, do not forget to look carefully into the sand for colorful nudibranchs and crocodile fish. Also, keep an eye for marbled groupers and lobsters, as they like to hide into crevices.
Reaching the South tip, you will find a crack with a leaf fish hiding amongst a cloud of glass fish.
Leven Bank
Spectacular! One of Zanzibar’s best dive sites. Leven Bank is a sea mountain in open ocean which slops from 12 to 55 meters. Due to often strong currents, we recommend this site to experienced divers only.
As currents here can be strong, be ready to descend quickly into the infinite blue, reaching the reef at 30 meters.
Down in the deep, you will find a beautiful slope with millions of fish. Schooling unicorn fish, snappers and banner fish will welcome you to a fantastic scenery. Look out for big Honeycomb moray eels, lobsters, or marbled rays, but do not forget to keep an eye into the blue, as pelagic fish like barracuda, wahoo, tuna, and rainbow runners might be passing by. If you are lucky, you may spot some of the “big guys” of the reef, including napoleon wrasse and groupers.
Ascending from the deep, you will drift slowly into the shallow area of the slope, surrounded by a highway of fusiliers and pretty corals. Look out here for big and unique nudibranchs! Are you ready for the “Fishtival”?
In August-September, humpback Whales can be spotted off the boat quite frequently.
*** There are only a few days a month when the sea conditions and tides are suitable to dive in Leven Bank.
East Coast
Kichafi, Mbwangawa, Turtle House
As part of the island’s barrier reef, these easy dive points will give you the opportunity to see some of its unique hard coral formation.
Follow the gentle 8-to-20-meter slope and enjoy the large plate coral areas. Look for moray eels and scorpion fish in the reef or check the sand bottom for blue spotted stingrays, garden eels, and the odd guitar fish. Cross all the anemones with fierce clownfish protecting them and watch for the beautiful egg cowrie.
At the end of the reef, we will take you to a special place, called “Turtle House”. You will be entertained by friendly puffer fishes on the way to a sandy area with barrel sponges. Here, if lucky, you will find turtles hanging out (we once counted 12 of them in one dive!). If not, that means that they are not home, so look carefully on the reef!
Mnemba Atoll – Best dive spots in the Marine Park area.
Night Dive
on Nungwi Reef
Night dives on Nungwi Reef are a great adventure. In fact, many of our guests say that this was their best underwater experience in Zanzibar.
We offer night dives on most nights. It takes place in Nungwi Reef, right off the beach in front of our reception. Meeting at 18:15 for a briefing and get into the water at dusk.
There is a large variety of nocturnal creatures right on our home reef. Swimming Spanish dancers, hunting cuttlefish, curious octopus, lurking guitar rays, feeding frogfish and Squids are all common to see. There is something here for everyone to enjoy.
*** Night dives are limited for advanced divers.
