Diving in Mnemba
Where and Duration
On the reefs of the Mnemba Island Conservation Area, north-east of Ugunja (Zanzibar).
The experience includes 2 dives per day. The sea conditions will determine the exact reefs to explore on each day.
When
All year round but in general the best diving season in Zanzibar is from February to May and October to December.
What's Included
This is a group activity. Dive boat, dive master, 2 tanks, mask, weights, snorkel, snorkel tube, wetsuit and fins.
More information
To dive on the island of Mnemba we recommend you stay at the Mnemba Island Lodge (the only accommodation on the island that includes diving in the price of the lodge) or in one of the accommodations located in the Matembwe area since The meeting time at the diving center is between 07:30 and 10:00. This time range is determined by the state of the tide, which is why the departure time must be reconfirmed the day before.
Remember that the dive sites will depend on the state of the sea, your level of diving, the number of days/dives you are going to do, as well as the tides which will also mark the departure times. Underwater conditions vary daily.
Mnemba offers different dive sites around the entire island for divers of all levels.
1 – KICHWANI:
Level: All levels
Depth: from 2 to 30 meters.
The reef is a coral wall that begins at a depth of 2 meters to go down to 30 meters. It is about 2 meters deep. During the descent down the wall you can find, in addition to various species of fish, nudibranchs.
2 – WATTABOMI:
Level: All levels
Depth: from 5 to 20 meters.
The reef begins at a depth of 5 meters. The slope of the reef is very gentle so you can slowly descend while discovering the rich life of the reef. In addition to lion fish, scorpion fish, moray eels and other species, you can also observe anemone shrimp, porcelain crabs and various species of nudibranchs.
3 – SAND BANKS:
Level: All levels
Depth: from 5 to 15 meters.
The reef has beautiful gardens where soft and hard corals mix. Among the great variety of fish that we can observe in these corals is the bat fish, as well as large schools of snapper, horse mackerel and other species.
4 – SMALL WALL:
Level: intermediate / advanced
Depth: from 5 to 40 meters.
A great dive for more experienced divers both because of the currents and the depth to which you can descend. The reef is at 5 meters forming a gentle slope up to 30 meters. At this depth the wall takes a vertical shape that reaches 45-50 meters. In the shallower areas you can observe rays, scorpion fish, moray eels and many other species. In the larger areas you can find wrasse wrasse and occasionally white tip sharks.
5 – TURTLE REEF:
Level: intermediate / advanced
Depth: from 5 to 40 meters.
Current diving in a reef that descends to the corals where we can observe schools of fish looking for food in the current. Although the name of the reef refers to the turtles, it is not the most frequent place for turtles. However, at the southern end of the reef it is possible to find large schools of chub as well as mackerel.
6 – ACUARIUM:
Level: intermediate / advanced
Depth: from 12 to 25 meters.
It is possible to find slight currents. Let there be a slight current. Surgeonfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, grouper, horse mackerel, Moorish idols and many other species, including garden eels, abound in the hard corals found on the reef.
7 – BIG WALL:
Level: advanced
Depth: from 12 to 50 meters.
This dive is only suitable for divers with advanced certification. The depth and current require a high level of experience. Only when the sea is completely calm is it possible to dive here safely, so diving on this reef is not always possible.
Exploring the reef it is possible to observe schools of barracudas, as well as other species. You can also see black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, as well as wrasse, tuna, grouper, rays and lobster.
8 – JACK FISH:
Level: advanced
Depth: from 10 to 50 meters.
This dive is only suitable for divers with advanced certification. The depth and current require a high level of experience. Only when the sea is completely calm is it possible to dive here safely, so diving on this reef is not always possible.
The shallower part of the reef is full of hard corals that are home to a large number of fish. At about 18 meters the wall descends abruptly to 50 meters. On the wall you can see perfectly preserved corals that are home to a great diversity of fish species, as well as lobsters and moray eels. Black and white tip reef sharks are also occasionally seen.
Diving in Mnemba
1 day (2 tanks):
150.00 usd per person
2 days (4 tanks):
210.00 usd per person
