GUIDE FOR DIVING TRIPS IN TANZANIA WITH AFRICANMECCA

An incredible coastal, tropical weather that maintains a more or less constant temperature, rivers pouring nutrition-rich waters into the ocean, the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the annual trade monsoons contributing to the perfect habitats. All these factors together have created the ideal ecological setting for the proliferation of miles of stunning coral in the waters off the coast of Tanzania.

Over the centuries, the coral have in turn formed a tropical underworld rainforest like ecosystem along with the seagrasses, mangrove trees, algae, varied marine plants and other oceanic vegetation. In this breathtakingly beautiful world, there are many-hued reefs, some rainbow colored, alongside stunning varieties of sea creatures. As a diving enthusiast, this is just the kind of location you must visit on your marine vacation in Tanzania.



Aside from the coastal towns, the many islands off the coast of Tanzania (some of them are coral limestone formations that nature has covered with vegetation), also have distinct sites around them where the temperature of the waters remain around 75-94 F (24-29 C) degrees and is just right for your African scuba diving expeditions in the Indian Ocean.

AfricanMecca can advise you on the best dive sites, according to the reef and aquatic life you hope to see. We will also beginner divers can go exploring in the many unique locations when touring the underwater of Tanzania. The clarity of the waters allows the sunshine to filter through up to 40 meters and light up a wonderful, almost ethereal world where the only sound that interrupts the silence is the resonance of your own breathing gear.



Seemingly countless schools of fish of every color dart here and there, some remain concealed in the waving fingers of the coral. Your divemaster will point them out as you will revel in viewing their varied shapes, size and pigments. Adore their beauty and take lots of pictures as mementos of your unforgettable diving trip in Eastern Africa. Also look for different varieties of sea urchins, sea anemones, green and hawksbill turtles, starfish, nudibranchs, eels, octopi, seahorses, squids, sponges, mollusks, various kinds of rays, dolphins and so many more.

Among the fish, you are likely to spot stunning varieties like spanish dancers, triggerfish, lionfish, frogfish, crocodilefish, damselfish, leaffish, batfish, angelfish, napoleon wrasses, wahoo, jacks, barracuda, tuna, sweetlips, fusiliers, snappers, whitetip to blacktip reef sharks, cubera, groupers and many others. Everywhere you look, you will spot a novel wonder, and it you are lucky enough to holiday in Tanzania during migration season, you might spot humpback whales.



You could also swim with the whale sharks and watch them feeding on the surface level plankton. On the northernmost section of the coast is the verdant green island of Pemba. Here, the unspoiled diving sites have both shallow and deep locations, some extending up to 100 meters, and some have rarely been visited. The Swiss Reef, a range of sea hills, Shimba Hills, the Edge Walls with depths of 30 meters, Pole Pole Mountains, Scorpion's Nest, the coral bommies of House Reef and the Njao Gap and Fundu Gap each with five sites of various depths are all unique locales you can explore while on your seaside travel.

Fifty miles south of Mafia is the historical spice island of Zanzibar. There are many locations around Zanzibar when planning your Tanzanian diving forays with AfricanMecca. Some 400 species of fish have been recorded in these areas, and you could choose from offshore sites around Stone Town, the capital or explore the ancient wrecks around this western expanse of the island. These ship remains have been taken over by nature and now house distinct varieties of fish and other creatures.



Sites like The Great Northern, the Royal Navy Lighter, The Penguin sitting at different depths can all enchant you with their unique evolved beauty. The Mnemba Island Atoll Marine Reserve is another must-visit dive and snorkel location during your vacation in Zanzibar. There are five main sites here such as the Aquarium, Wattabomi or Eel City, Small Wall, Sand Banks and Kokota Reef. Each of these sites is suited to divers of different levels of experience, and your divemaster will expertly guide you around accordingly.

On the mainland of Tanzania is the coastal city of Dar es Salaam. You will find few locations in the ocean off the city such as around Mbudaya Island, Kunduchi and Bahari Beaches. Visit enchanting coral formations that have been given names like Coral Gardens, Octopus Gardens, along with a beautiful marine reserve that includes Yasini, Fungu, Pangavini and Bongoyo Islands.



At the southernmost section off the coast of Tanzania is Mafia Island with a collection of scuba diving sites, some slopes and other steeper drops. More than 52 species of coral thrive here, and you will revel in exploring the protected sections of Mafia Island Marine Park while on your scuba diving trip in Tanzania. Chole Bay, with its 460 species of fish, stingrays, changu, kashmiri snappers, bottlenose and spinner dolphins and reefs like Chekechea, Nudi City and Frogfish Town are stunning locations as are many other prime dive sites.

These are Mikadini and Jina Walls, Dindini Wall (south and north), Juani Reef, Kinasi Pass Entrance and various others. Aside from these main locations, the Tanzanian waters of the Indian Ocean abound with varied distinct coasts and isles, some that offer divers unique sights and the opportunity to view dazzling marine creatures. There is Fanjove, Kilwa that has visibility up to 20 meters, and Pangani, an upcoming off-beat beachfront destination. There is Maziwe Island, one of the first instituted marine reserves with depths ranging from 5 to 35 meters.

There are several sites here such as Kipumbwe Reefs, Masera, Fungu Ushongo, and Fungu Datcha among others. Contact AfricanMecca Safaris to put together the perfect dive itinerary for your travels in Tanzania to ensure maximum marine viewing opportunities for the many wonders of the Indian Ocean coral gardens.



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