Watersports along the Tanzanian coast
Kitesurfing, diving, snorkeling, and swimming with dolphins and whale sharks are among the water sport activities available in the Zanzibar Archipelago.
Lying off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, south of the Somali Sea, islands in the Zanzibar Archipelago, also known as the Spice Islands, are renowned destinations for various water sports such as diving and snorkelling.
Unguja, the largest and main island, features diving and snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, the famed conservation area located on the northeast coast. With more than a dozen dive sites, the clear waters boast a visibility of 20 to 30 meters and you’ll encounter various sea turtles, lionfish, eels, rays, and dolphins. Dive certification is around $500, making it an affordable option.
If you’re into kitesurfing, Paje, also on Unguja, is one of the top destinations in the world. Its reef is far away, with a shallow lagoon; the winds are constant and predictable. Warm waters and a sandy sea bed complete its designation as a favorite destination for seasoned kitesurfers, with plenty of support services available for beginners as well.
Pemba Island’s diving is among the best in the Indian Ocean. Thousands of species of fish and coral thrive in the warm tropical waters. Divers can explore the shallow reefs close to the shore or plunge off the vertical coral cliffs that border the coastal reefs. Visibility is about forty meters, and looking over the 800-meter underwater cliffs is exhilarating. In deeper waters, you may see barracuda, manta and eagle rays, giant groupers, wahoo, jacks, tuna, and garden eel. In shallow waters, you'll see colorful starfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and many other species of reef fish. Water temperatures range a comfortable 25 to 28 degrees celsius.
Mafia Island features one of the healthiest reefs in the world, with ample opportunities to view a wide range of tropical marine life, with snorkeling and diving support. Mafia Island is also famed for its robust and possibly non-migratory whale shark population. The whale shark is the largest living fish species and the largest individual recorded had a length of 12.65 meters. The whale shark feeds mainly on plankton. It is found near Mafia as there is a plentiful source of food from the Rufiji River that empties into the Indian Ocean from mainland Tanzania to the east. This activity is recommended for strong swimmers only as the water can be choppy and the boat often ventures far from swimmers.
