Mafia Island & Zanzibar Diving

Deep channels, vertiginous drop-offs and colourful coral make the Spice Islands a mecca for divers with a multitude of islands to choose from.

Overview

The warm, clear waters around the spice islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia offer great diving holidays, especially as an end to a Tanzania safari...

Zanzibar is the best known island – a flat coral atoll surrounded by fringing coral reefs to the east. The National Marine Parks at Chumbe Island and Mnemba protect the rich marine life.

Snorkellers and novice divers should also see plenty of colourful coral fish, moray eels, stingrays and lionfish. Dolphins, turtles, manta rays and whale sharks are commonly seen.

Zanzibar diving

Whale sharks migrate through Zanzibar’s waters in season from August to September and also from February to March. These harmless creatures are a magnificent sight, up to 14m in length with a 1.5m wide mouth.

The Leven Banks to the north of Zanzibar are ideal for advanced divers who can cope with the strong currents. Here you’ll find schools of kingfish, barracuda, tuna and reef fish as well as moray eels.

Zanzibar diving

Highlights

The coral atoll of Mnemba Island just off Zanzibar is one of the top diving sites in the Indian Ocean. Snorkellers and novice divers should also see plenty of colourful coral fish, moray eels, stingrays and lionfish. Dolphins, turtles, manta rays and whale sharks are commonly seen.
Pemba Island, north of Zanzibar lies in deep ocean. The Pemba Channel drops off steeply just off its west coast. The vertical coral walls drop over 300 metres and the marine life, coral and visibility here are superb.
Whale-shark sightings from August to September

A varied and fantastic holiday that we will never forget

"Milandi interpreted all our needs perfectly and the tailor-made holiday was way beyond our expectations. As a first time visitor to South Africa, we were quite apprehensive about safety, but all the places chosen for us to stay in were comfortable and hospitable." Mr Andrew Thompson

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It was a fabulous holiday

"I have booked through Cedarberg before and this is why I came back, as I was highly satisfied. This time it was a bit more complicated as Peter had less experience with Uganda himself and he had to communicate with Wildlife Frontiers a lot, which took time and some backwards and forwards. In the end it was so worth it, as it was a fabulous holiday. Peter also recommended the group experience and that was the right thing for a single traveller, we had a fantastic group of five and had all meals together. Otherwise I would have been on my own for the whole trip." Mrs Monika Maintz

Milandi Joubert

Africa Travel Specialist

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VisibilityOften over 30 metres (100ft)
VarietyOver 500 species

Accommodation

Islands of Pemba & Mnemba

Fundu Lagoon

Fundu Lagoon lies on Pemba Island, the much quieter sister island of Zanzibar to the north. This rather romantic lodge is situated on a remote and beautiful beach on the south western side of...

RATING Premier

Zanzibar Resorts

Baraza Resort & Spa

Baraza Resort & Spa is an ultra-romantic resort on the south-eastern coast of Zanzibar. It comprises 30 luxury one and two bedroom villas on a long stretch of powdery sand on Bwejuu Beach.

PRICE (PPS) $ 387

RATING Top of Class

Zanzibar Resorts

Matemwe Lodge

Perched on an outcrop overlooking a shallow coral fringed lagoon on the quieter northeast coast of Zanzibar, Matemwe's peaceful location and famed relaxed atmosphere, makes it the ideal place to...

PRICE (PPS) $ 360

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Zanzibar Resorts

Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa

Zanzibar White Sand is a boutique eco-luxury resort located on Paje Beach, Zanzibar. It has only 11 luxury villas (each with indoor and outdoor bathrooms and separate living room) with a focus on...

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Zanzibar Resorts

Matemwe Retreat

The exclusive Matemwe Retreat is located on a beautiful stretch of private land opposite the Mnemba atoll in a secluded part of the north-east coast of Zanzibar. Four self-contained and massive...

PRICE (PPS) $ 570

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Zanzibar Resorts

Kichanga Lodge

Kichanga Lodge lies on the south-east coast of Zanzibar, facing the beautiful Indian Ocean across a white sandy beach. Charming cottages and bungalows nestled in the tropical gardens make up this...

PRICE (PPS) $ 98

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"We are back from our trip to SA and having had just the best time ever. Everything slotted into place perfectly and all the accommodation and activities you booked for us were outstanding. Couldn’t have been bettered, you chose very well! Stands out as one of the best trips we’ve ever had. Virtually everything went like clockwork and we had a fantastic time. You did a brilliant job and the info pack was first class. The best organised holiday we have been on. We will defintely go back to Africa" Mr& Mrs Cott, UK

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