Dive Sites Zanzibar

Discover the best dive sites in Zanzibar Island, Tanzania

Explore the underwater world of Tumbatu Island (Mwana Wa Mwana, Ras Misikitini, Three Turtles), Nungwi (Shane’s Reef, Kichafi, Mbwangawa, Hunga, Nankivell), Leven Bank, and Mnemba Island (Kichwani, Wattabomie, Small Wall, Big Wall).

The best dive sites in Zanzibar are located in the north. Explore the breathtaking underwater world of Tumbatu, Nungwi, Leven Bank, and Mnemba.
dive site, Zanzibar

Tumbatu Island

Tumbatu Island dive site is home to the most spectacular coral gardens in Zanzibar!

The reefs in Tumbatu are renowned for sightings of seahorses, turtles, and a variety of fascinating underwater creatures. Most of all, the incredible diversity of healthy soft and hard coral species makes diving around Tumbatu Island a truly vibrant experience.

Discover unforgettable top spots in Tumbatu:

seahorse

Mwana Wa Mwana

Mwana Wa Mwana is a brilliant dive site for snorkelers, beginner and qualified divers, situated to the northwest of Tumbatu Island in Zanzibar. 

Depth

3-12 meters, 12-18 meters

Type

Coral garden

Reef

The reef is a terraced coral garden starting shallow at a depth of 3 meters. It gradually decents to a depth of 12 meters. Followed by a sandy bottom which slopes down to a depth of 18 meters.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, mantis shripms, nudibranchs, sea turtles, octopuses, cuttlefish, stingrays, seahorses, schools of colorful reef fish and many more.

leaf scorpionfish

Ras Misikitini

Ras Misikitini is an impressive dive site for snorkelers, beginner and qualified divers, situated to the northwest of Tumbatu Island in Zanzibar.

Depth

5-12 meters, 12-20 meters

Type

Small wall

Reef

The reef is a small coral wall which drops down from 5 to 12 meters. Its bottom holding some coral bommies gently slopes down to a depth of 20 meters.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Mantis shripms, leaf scorpionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, sea turtles, stingrays, scorpionfish, spottwing flying gunnards, schools of colorful reef fish and many more.

nudibranch

Three Turtles

Three Turtles is a vibrant dive site for snorkelers, beginner and qualified divers, situated to the west of Tumbatu Island in Zanzibar.

Depth

3-16 meters

Type

Small wall

Reef

The reef is a small coral wall which drops down from 3 to 12 meters, followed by a little slope decending to 16 meters. Most of all the eyecatching colors of the corals at a depth of around 5 meters make a vibrant experience for both the snorkelers and divers.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Octopuses, stingrays, sea turtles, scorpionfish, schools of colorful reef fish and many more.

weedy scorpionfish

Nungwi

Discover unforgettable top spots in Nungwi:

dive site, Zanzibar

Shane’s Reef

Shane´s Reef is a unique dive site for beginner and qualified divers, situated to the northwest of Zanzibar. 

Depth

10-20 meters

Type

Coral reef

Reef

Shane’s reef is one of Zanzibar’s best spots for macro diving and a haven for underwater photographers. The reef is composed of coral and sandy bottom patches. It starts at a depth of 10 meters and gently descends to 14 meters, followed by a gradual slope down to a depth of 20 meters. The magical site is home to a large variety of fascinating macro marine life and extraordinary sea creatures. Unfortunately, the corals are not in good shape.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Crocodile fish, weedy scorpionfish, frog fish, seahorses, mantis shripms, black-blotched porcupinefish, leaf scorpionfish, spottwing flying gunnards and many more.

dive site, Zanzibar

Kichafi

Kichafi is an amazing reef for both the experienced and inexperienced divers, situated to the northeast of Zanzibar.

Depth

10-16 meters

Type

Coral reef

Reef

Kichafi is well known for its breathtaking underwater landscapes. The reef consist of hard and soft corals and is fringed by magnificent, colorful cabbage or plate coral formations. During early morning or late afternoon dives you may spot the occasional cobias, mackerels or big stingrays.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Spadefish, parrotfish, groupers, stonefish, napoleon wrasses, schools of colorful reef fish and many more.

green sea turtle

Mbwangawa

Mbwangawa is a relaxing dive site for both the experienced and inexperienced divers, situated to the northeast of Zanzibar

Depth

7-18 meters

Type

Coral reef

Reef 

The extensive reef combines hard and soft corals with two areas of plate coral formation. Starting at a depth of 7 meters, it gently slopes down to 18 meters. Mbwangawa is home to beautiful species of colorful reef fish. With a mild current you can enjoy a drift dive along this spot.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Groupers, stingrays, scorpionfish, guitarfish, stonefish, sea turtles and many more.

dive site, Zanzibar

Hunga Reef

Hunga Reef is a stunning dive site for qualified divers, situated to the northwest of Zanzibar.

Depth

10-17 meters

Type

Coral bommies

Reef

Hunga is among the best spots to dive in Nungwi. The circular reef is located in the open sea at a depth range of 10 to 17 meters. Special about Hunga are its great visibility and huge bommies covered with a variety of vibrant corals. Overhead many species of shoaling reef fish make a colorful mid-water experience.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Groupers, napoleon wrasses, snappers, crocodile fish, tuna, batfish, unicornfish, redtooth triggerfish, nudibranchs and many more. On rare occasion you may spot eagle rays.

triggerfish

Nankivell Rock

Nankivell Rock is a sparkling dive site for qualified divers, situated to the northwest of Zanzibar

Depth

10-15 meters

Type

Coral bommies

Reef

The reef is located in the open sea at a depth range of 10 to 15 meters. It consists of a huge bommie surrounded by small ones, all covered with a variety of beautiful corals. Nankivell Rock is well known for its great visibility and many species of colorful reef fish shoaling. On occasion you may spot a huge grouper.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Groupers, napoleon wrasses, snappers, crocodile fish, tuna, batfish, unicornfish, redtooth triggerfish, nudibranchs and many more.

Leven Bank

Leven Bank is an exhilarating dive site for experienced advanced divers, situated to the north of Zanzibar.

Depth

14-30+ meters

Type

Undersea mountain

Reef

The extensive reef is an undersea mountain located in the open sea and one of Zanzibar´s best spots for a deep dive. Starting at a depth of 14 meters it gently slopes down to 30+ meters. Due to the current and depth this dive site is suitable for very skilled divers only. There is a variety of brightly glowing hard and soft corals on the reef. Overhead many species of shoaling tropical reef fish attract predators. Most of all the striking colors of both the corals and the reef fish together create a vibrant mid-water experience. This particular effect is enhanced by a great visibility.

Common Sea Life Sightings

Nudibranchs, octopuses, honeycomb moray eels, rainbow runners, barracudas, trevallys, tuna, kingfish and many more.

Mnemba Island

Diving in the marine reserve of Mnemba Island