Zanzibar
Aug 2, 2022 | 12:25 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: DXB
Programs: TK Elite Plus
Posts: 442
Unfortunately sea turtles have been (illegally) eaten in Tanzania for a long time. While they are not exactly uncommon, they are not as common to see as many other places in the world when going scuba-diving. Sharks are also a very rare sight when going scuba diving in Tanzania. They are around, but usually stick to deeper waters.
Aug 7, 2022 | 10:11 am
#17
Join Date: May 2008
Location: "the world is my country"
Programs: OWE, Alaska 100K
Posts: 880
Allow me to clarify: Strictly speaking "Zanzibar" is not one island, but a bunch of islands. The one everyone commonly refer to as Zanzibar is actually Unguja Island, but there are other islands such as Pemba (further north) and Mafia Island (down south).
It should be worth noticing that generally the resident scuba-diving community in the capital Dar es Salaam usually prefer Mafia first for diving, then Pemba and lastly Unguja (what is likely here referred to).
From Mafia you can also catch the whale-shark migration and dive with them at certain times of the year.
I myself haven't been diving off Unguja or Mafia, but have many friends that have. I did Pemba island though, up north. Was amazing with a massive ridge along the coast line with a wall dropping from 4-6m down to 50-60m the length of the coast and crystal clear water.
Not saying Zanzibar (Unguja) isnt worth diving, just saying I would pick Mafia any day if I could.
It should be worth noticing that generally the resident scuba-diving community in the capital Dar es Salaam usually prefer Mafia first for diving, then Pemba and lastly Unguja (what is likely here referred to).
From Mafia you can also catch the whale-shark migration and dive with them at certain times of the year.
I myself haven't been diving off Unguja or Mafia, but have many friends that have. I did Pemba island though, up north. Was amazing with a massive ridge along the coast line with a wall dropping from 4-6m down to 50-60m the length of the coast and crystal clear water.
Not saying Zanzibar (Unguja) isnt worth diving, just saying I would pick Mafia any day if I could.
Aug 7, 2022 | 11:31 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: DXB
Programs: TK Elite Plus
Posts: 442
However I have been told the place now has new management and it should be a OK now, multiple people I spoke to had very good experiences with them lately.
Aug 11, 2022 | 10:09 am
#19
Join Date: May 2008
Location: "the world is my country"
Programs: OWE, Alaska 100K
Posts: 880
I was diving with Swahili divers, this was in 2015 I believe. Dive sites were amazing, but the dive center and lodge itself was a mess back then.
However I have been told the place now has new management and it should be a OK now, multiple people I spoke to had very good experiences with them lately.
However I have been told the place now has new management and it should be a OK now, multiple people I spoke to had very good experiences with them lately.