Diving in Zanzibar & Mafia Island

[Bubble Dragon]

I'm heading up to Mafia & Zanzibar for 3 weeks of diving & holidays. I'm trying to do this as a backpacker, but apparently that's easier said than done overthere.
Any experienced travellers that have some last-minute recomendations or secret tips they wanna share?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dive_Gypsy]

I am currently based on the East Coast of Zanzibar. Pristine corals, a very healthy reef structure and we are usually the only boat out on the water. Our reviews speak for us. Check out Rising Sun Dive Center! Water temp is about 29 degrees. There are some good bed and breakfasts near by and we would love to have you stop in. Happy to help with any questions.

 

[Bubble Dragon]

Right, looks pretty cool! What exact place are you guys at & do you also dive places like Mnemba or Leven Banks? Any recommendations on must-do-dives overthere?
All info is very welcome, as I'll be travelling by myself, so hoping to make some new friends underwater ;-)
PS: I'm really into uw Photography too :-D

 

[Dive_Gypsy]

We are on the East Coast near Bwejuu. I cannot personally comment on Mnemba or Leven but I will share what I have been told by the residents here. Leven is a heavily fished area with ripping currents and it can be tough to get to. Mnemba is a marine conservation area without enforcement so fishing is rampant. The locals that dive there such as the island's resident hyperbaric specialist has commented that the corals are a lot healthier here but we don't have the same massive drop off. Diving is like a box of chocolates here, every single day is different. We see dolphins on the surface every few days, sometimes underwater, chance to see turtles, big stingrays and Napoleons. The macro is always amazing. Depending on your dive qualifications we doa wall dive here that is stunning!

 

[japan-diver]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Pemba diving with Swahili Divers and the diving was awesome, they also have some inexpensive rooms on site. Worth checking out if you are in the area. There are a few operators in Zanzibar but due to scheduling I was not able to dive there.

 

[ocdiver1]

Also travelled to Zanzibar on a budget, and wound up diving with Spanish Dancer Divers in Nungwi, getting a package with the Nungwi Inn Hotel which is just steps from the dive center. This is now almost two years ago, so I can't remember the exact pricing, but it was one of the few reasonable deals I could find. Spanish Dancer Divers was a great operator and the Nungwi Inn was a nice enough place to stay..I'd go back to both if I went back to Zanzaibar

 

[Bubble Dragon]

I just bought my flight Dar-Mafia & then I need to fly Mafia-Dar-Zanzibar with Coastal. Apparently there is a 15kg max baggage allowance but as I'm bringing diving gear; camera + strobe & laptop on top of my normal luggage, there is no way I can keep below this. Anyone knows how heavily this is enforced? Is it just a matter of paying more or will they simply not take more than that? So far it seems worth it to stay a bit longer on Mafia for really good diving apparently? I was in touch with Swahili divers aswell, but apparently this is not really the time of year to see some of their bigger stuff (or what's left of it?)

 

[japan-diver]

I flew coastal between Zanzibar and Pemba and we just paid extra for the dive gear etc...

 

[Bubble Dragon]

So, a photoreport?
Just spent 2 weeks on Mafia, diving with Big Blu & staying in their budget-tents.
It is an AMAZING place to dive, some of the best I've seen.
Most of the animals I had seen before but never in that size or numbers.
If you wanna take a look for yourself, here's a link to the photos, even if you're not of Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=d074000f79

 

[Nick Moore]

Hi Dive Gypsy, I am considering a trip to Zanzibar soon. Can you send your details - do you have a website?

I have a week off last week of May - but i see that May is high rainy season. Is it very heavy then? Or should i hold until later on in Summer, say July?

Also what are your prices and do you do Mafia and the north island too?

thanks

Nick

thanks

Nick