Written by: Jennifer Goetz
With water temperatures keeping at 25°C/77°F throughout the
year, sunshine and excellent underwater visibility, Tanzania is a real
treasure trove for marine biologists, amateur divers and all people who
love fish in front of their eyes more than on their plate.
The best visibility is from October to March while July-October and
December-March are the best times to visit in terms of weather, humidity
and sunshine, while April-June and October-November can be quite rainy.
November-February is the also the whale shark and manta ray season in
the Indian Ocean.
You should consider these 7 places for your underwater adventures:
1. Zanzibar
he main island of the archipelago in the Indian Ocean, Unguja (usually referred to as Zanzibar)
has a mass of travel agencies and dive centres that can organise you a
perfect live-aboard trip or a day of submerging into the depths of the
ocean. Mnemba atoll off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar is a private
island with a luxury resort, offering magnificent wall diving with a
variety of fish and corals, gigantic turtles and magnificent manta rays.
Zanzibar is served by several flights and ferries from Dar es Salaam daily.
2. Leven Bank
Just to the north of Zanzibar in the Pemba channel is a large coral
reef for experienced divers, where depth changes at high and low tide,
and the strong currents can be quite challenging for newbies. Kingfish,
barracudas and huge moray eels are just a few among the species
inhabiting these waters.
3. Pemba Island
Not as easily accessible as neighbouring Zanzibar, North Horn of
Pemba is most famous for the shark viewing: grey whalers, white tips,
silver tips, hammerheads – take your pick. The gigantic corals are full
of parrotfish, potato cod and barracudas, and the absolutely best way to
explore these places is an extended live-aboard trip, organised from
Dar es Salaam or Tanga.
4. Mafia Island
Rufiji Mafia Island Marine Reserve welcomes the stunning whale sharks
between November and February, and throughout the year you can find
rare and endangered manatees (sea cows), as well as leatherback and
green turtles that use the island as a breeding ground. The colourful
seabed of coral is full of clownfish, octopuses and manta rays, and
further in the open sea you can spot dolphins. If the circle of
‘dive-eat-sleep-repeat’ eventually bores you, hire a dhow (a traditional
fishing boat) and chill under the evening sun in the open sea. Mafia
Island is located south of Dar es Salaam on the way to Mtwara.
5. Songo Songo Archipelago
40 kilometres of reef islands stretch along the coast in the south of
the country, not far from Selous Game Reserve. Their shores are covered
with gentle palm trees, and turtles lay eggs in the hot sand by the
turquoise sea. The islands are completely undeveloped, with only one
accommodation option available, and the atmosphere of complete isolation
adds more magic to your underwater experience or snorkelling trips
around Songo Songo Archipelago. The islands are served by a tiny
airstrip reserved for private flights.
6. Mikindani and Mtwara
Unexplored but one of the richest underwater worlds in Africa,
Mikindani is a future diving hotspot, and you have a chance to be the
first to document the 250 species of coral and multiple types of fish.
Eco2 Dive Center is the first and only dive centre in the area. The old
colonial town of Mtwara is not easily accessible, and diving trips to
Mnazi Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park are organised from Dar-es-Salaam or
Mikindani. This place is considered the most biologically diverse spot
in the East African coast, with the humpback whale migration happening
from August to November, and green turtles nesting from February to
April.
7. Lake Tanganyika
Freshwater dives are very different from diving in the open sea, but
Lake Tanganyika is a perfect place to do your altitude diver course,
stay in a traditional African lodge and enjoy the crystal clear waters
of the lake and hundreds of cichlids. You will feel like you are diving
in a giant aquarium. The nearby national parks include Katavi National
Park and Mahale Mountain National Park.
Divers should be aware of several challenges when it comes to diving
in East Africa. Firstly, the Indian Ocean and shallow waters around the
reefs in some places are full of treacherous currents, and divers must
be careful, especially around Pemba and Mafia Islands.
Worries aside, Tanzania is one of the most exciting and beloved diving spots in East Africa.
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