Zanzibar Diving Holidays: An Overview
Tanzania's Spice Islands, and Zanzibar in particular, evoke images of cardamom-scented air and palm tree-fringed beaches lapped by the calm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Here you can enjoy miles of unspoilt white sand beaches and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean from a handful of idyllic beach retreats. Zanzibar is the largest and one of the better known islands of the group known as the Spice Islands. It has endless miles of white sand beaches, and despite the fact that more hotels have started popping up over the last few years; it for the most part remains unspoilt. Its added attraction is of course Stone Town, A UNESCO world heritage site with its old world charm still very much intact.
There are dive sites dotted all around the island but the very best diving opportunities lie off the northern most tip of Zanzibar. Serious enthusiasts may like to note that during the months of September/October Nungwi is visited by migrating humpback and sperm whales which can exceed 14 metres in length - an encounter with one of these giants is pretty special. December to April is manta ray & whale shark season.
Geographically, Nungwi is the perfect spot to visit Mnemba Atoll (an unforgettable one hour sail away), Leven Bank (seven miles off shore) which rises 200 meters from the sea bed to a mere seven metres from the surface and Pemba.
With water temperatures ranging from 25 and 29 degrees, and visibility between 12 and 40 metres the Zanzibar archipelago is the perfect 'all year round diving destination.