Best Dive Sites in Zanzibar
Discover Zanzibar’s best dive sites—from Tumbatu and Nungwi to Leven Bank and Mnemba—with our reef guide
Our Hand-Picked Reefs
Operating from our base in Nungwi on the island’s northern tip, we take you directly to Zanzibar’s premier dive spots. From Tumbatu’s coral gardens and local macro sites to the Mnemba Island Marine Reserve, you will encounter a variety of reefs for all levels, complete with dolphins, turtles, and reef sharks.
Expect warm Indian Ocean waters (24‑29°C), exceptional visibility from 20 to 60 meters, and depths ranging from 2 to 30+ meters.
Browse our detailed reef profiles below and plan your dives with our locally-owned PADI Dive Resort in Nungwi.
Tumbatu Island Reefs
Tumbatu Island boasts some of the most spectacular coral gardens in Zanzibar. These sheltered reefs are home to seahorses, turtles, and a variety of fascinating underwater creatures. Above all, the incredible diversity of soft and hard corals makes diving at Tumbatu a vibrant experience.
Mwana Wa Mwana
Level
Snorkelers, beginner & qualified divers
Depth
3-12 meters / 12-18 meters
Type
Terraced coral garden
Highlights
Frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, mantis shrimps, nudibranchs, sea turtles, octopuses, cuttlefish, stingrays, seahorses, schools of colorful reef fish and many more.
Situated northwest of Tumbatu Island, Mwana Wa Mwana boasts a brilliant terraced coral garden starting shallow at 3 meters and gradually descending to 12 meters. From there, a sandy bottom slopes gently down to a depth of 18 meters.
Ras Misikitini
Level
Snorkelers, beginner & qualified divers
Depth
5-12 meters / 12-20 meters
Type
Small wall
Highlights
Mantis shrimps, leaf scorpionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, sea turtles, stingrays, scorpionfish, spottwing flying gunnards, schools of colorful reef fish and many more.
Situated northwest of Tumbatu Island, Ras Misikitini presents an impressive small coral wall dropping from 5 to 12 meters. From the base, a sandy bottom dotted with coral bommies gently slopes down to a depth of 20 meters.
Three Turtles
Level
Snorkelers, beginner & qualified divers
Depth
3-16 meters
Type
Small wall
Highlights
Octopuses, stingrays, sea turtles, scorpionfish, schools of colorful reef fish and many more.
Situated west of Tumbatu Island, Three Turtles consists of a small coral wall dropping from 3 to 12 meters, followed by a gentle slope descending to 16 meters. Above all, the eye-catching colors of the corals at a depth of around 5 meters make it a vibrant experience for both snorkelers and divers.
Nungwi Local Reefs and Macro Spots
Offering quick, effortless boat rides from our main base in Nungwi, our local sites feature everything from premier macro havens teeming with seahorses and frogfish to stunning cabbage coral formations, vibrant open-sea bommies, and reef areas with turtles and colorful marine life for all experience levels.
Shane’s Reef
Level
Beginner & qualified divers
Depth
10-20 meters
Type
Coral reef
Highlights
Crocodile fish, weedy scorpionfish, frog fish, seahorses, mantis shrimps, black-blotched porcupinefish, leaf scorpionfish, spottwing flying gunnards and many more.
Situated northwest of Zanzibar, Shane’s Reef is a unique spot and one of the island’s premier locations for macro diving and underwater photography. Composed of coral patches and sandy bottoms, the site starts at a depth of 10 meters and gently descends to 14 meters, followed by a gradual slope down to 20 meters. While the corals are not in great shape, this magical area is home to an incredible variety of fascinating macro marine life and extraordinary sea creatures.
Kichafi
Level
Experienced & inexperienced divers
Depth
10-16 meters
Type
Coral reef
Highlights
Spadefish, parrotfish, groupers, stonefish, napoleon wrasses, schools of colorful reef fish and many more.
Situated to the northeast of Zanzibar, Kichafi features breathtaking underwater landscapes with hard and soft corals fringed by magnificent, colorful cabbage and plate coral formations. This amazing reef offers opportunities to spot occasional cobias, mackerels, or big stingrays during early morning or late afternoon dives.
Mbwangawa
Level
Experienced & inexperienced divers
Depth
7-18 meters
Type
Coral reef
Highlights
Groupers, stingrays, scorpionfish, guitarfish, stonefish, sea turtles and many more.
Situated to the northeast of Zanzibar, Mbwangawa is a relaxing site combining hard and soft corals with two areas of plate coral formations. Starting at a depth of 7 meters, the extensive reef gently slopes down to 18 meters, offering a home to beautiful species of colorful reef fish. With a mild current you can enjoy a drift dive along this spot..
Hunga Reef
Level
Qualified divers
Depth
10-17 meters
Type
Coral bommies
Highlights
Groupers, napoleon wrasses, snappers, crocodile fish, tuna, batfish, unicornfish, redtooth triggerfish, nudibranchs and many more. On rare occasion you may spot eagle rays.
Situated to the northwest of Zanzibar, Hunga Reef is a stunning circular reef located in the open sea at a depth range of 10 to 17 meters—one of the best spots to dive in Nungwi. The site features 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.
Nankivell Rock
Level
Qualified divers
Depth
10-15 meters
Type
Coral bommies
Highlights
Groupers, napoleon wrasses, snappers, crocodile fish, tuna, batfish, unicornfish, redtooth triggerfish, nudibranchs and many more.
Nankivell Rock is a sparkling dive site situated to the northwest of Zanzibar. 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 shoals of colorful reef fish. On occasion, you may spot a huge grouper.
Leven Bank
Level
Experienced advanced divers
Depth
14-30+ meters
Type
Undersea mountain
Highlights
Nudibranchs, octopuses, honeycomb moray eels, rainbow runners, barracudas, trevallys, tuna, kingfish and many more.
Leven Bank is an exhilarating dive site situated to the north of Zanzibar. 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. 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, enhanced by a great visibility.
Due to current and depth, this dive site is suitable for very skilled divers only.
Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area
Kichwani | Wattabomie | Small Wall | Big Wall
As Zanzibar’s premier marine conservation area, Mnemba Island offers excellent visibility—often between 20 and 60 meters—vibrant marine life, incredible dive sites for all experience levels, and frequent encounters with pods of bottlenose dolphins.
Looking for Pristine Reefs?
Venture beyond the main island to our second dive center on Pemba Island’s northwest coast. Explore untouched vertical drop‑offs and pristine coral ecosystems at Njao Gap, Fundo Gap, Swiss Reef, Shimba Wall, and many more.
Frequently asked questions about scuba diving in Zanzibar
Where are the best dive sites in Zanzibar located?
What kind of marine life can I see while diving in Zanzibar?
Are the dive sites suitable for beginners?
Zanzibar offers dive sites suitable for beginners. Locations around Tumbatu Island and the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area feature shallow, calm conditions with gentle currents and high visibility. Experienced local guides select sites matching individual comfort levels and diving experience.
Are there advanced dive sites in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar offers advanced options like deep dives at Leven Bank and deeper profiles around the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area. However, for advanced divers, pristine Pemba Island is the superior option, featuring dramatic walls, strong drift dives, deep ridges, and sites like Swiss Reef, Shimba Wall, Njao Gap, and Fundo Gap.
When is the best time for diving in Nungwi, Zanzibar?
While Zanzibar’s waters are warm year-round, peak diving conditions in Nungwi (North Zanzibar) occur from March to May and throughout November. During these specific months, the strong seasonal winds drop in the north, leaving behind glass‑calm seas, crystal‑clear visibility, and a higher volume of marine life. Learn more about our favourite Nungwi diving season in March, April, and May in our guide to the best diving season or explore diving conditions in November.
What are the water conditions and visibility like?
Do I need advanced certification for Leven Bank?
Yes, an advanced certification and solid experience with deep dives, drift dives, and strong currents are required for Leven Bank due to its open-ocean exposure, deep profiles, and often unpredictable, powerful currents.
How can I book a diving trip to these sites with Fun Divers Zanzibar?
We make exploring Zanzibar’s best sites seamless for every diver. All reefs—from Tumbatu to Mnemba Island—are easily explored directly from our Nungwi base with complimentary equipment and expert guidance. Reach out to us to start planning your custom diving itinerary.
Want To Dive Zanzibar With Us?
