Plongée à Zanzibar / Mafia Island — Tanzania

Zanzibar and neighboring Mafia Island offer an intoxicating blend of Swahili culture and Indian Ocean marine life, headlined by reliable whale shark encounters off Mafia Island's coast. The reefs here remain refreshingly uncrowded and untouched compared to more popular destinations, and the cultural experience of Stone Town adds depth beyond diving. Mafia Island Marine Park protects some of Tanzania's healthiest coral systems.

Score
68.7
Visibilité
9–24m
Température
24–29°C
Meilleurs mois
October, November, December
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World Class
Beginner Friendly
Zanzibar / Mafia Island
TanzaniaAfrica
68.7

SCORE

-6.1659°N

39.1980°E

Zanzibar and neighboring Mafia Island offer an intoxicating blend of Swahili culture and Indian Ocean marine life, headlined by reliable whale shark encounters off Mafia Island's coast. The reefs here remain refreshingly uncrowded and untouched compared to more popular destinations, and the cultural experience of Stone Town adds depth beyond diving. Mafia Island Marine Park protects some of Tanzania's healthiest coral systems.

Whale Sharks and Untouched East African Reefs

Visibility9–24 m
Temperature24–29°C
Max Depth30 m
Currentmild
2-Tank Dive$80
Best MonthsOctober, November, December, January
CertificationOpen WaterBeginner Friendly

Score Breakdown

Click any score to see a detailed breakdown

ML72.0CH68.0VIS55.0SV58.0TMP85.0DA65.0OP62.0TS78.0GT58.0VAL82.0CRD85.0SP62.0

Marine Life

72.0

Species diversity, megafauna encounters, reef fish abundance, macro life, and endemic species.

Species Diversity
68
Megafauna Encounters
80
Reef Fish Abundance
70
Macro Life
62
Endemic Species
55
Marine Life Diversity
72.0
Coral & Reef Health
68.0
Visibility & Conditions
55.0
Dive Site Variety
58.0
Water Temperature
85.0
Depth & Access
65.0
Operator Quality
62.0
Topside Experience
78.0
Getting There
58.0
Value & Cost
82.0
Crowding
85.0
Social Proof
62.0

Dive Types

reefwhale sharkdriftnight

Traveling with Non-Divers?

Your non-diving travel companions will find plenty to enjoy topside while you're underwater. Here are some activities to consider.

Activities for Non-Divers

Stone Town walking tourspice plantation tourJozani Forest (red colobus monkeys)dhow sunset cruisePrison Island giant tortoises

Nearby Cultural Sites

  • Stone Town (UNESCO)
  • Palace Museum
  • Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
  • Slave market memorial

Non-Diver Score

8/10

Excellent for non-divers — they'll love it here.

Family FriendlyYes
Restaurants & Nightlifemoderate

Safety & Emergency

Dive Insurance

DAN recommends dive insurance for all divers.

Learn more at DAN.org
Hyperbaric Chamber10 km — Zanzibar Hyperbaric Chamber, Stone Town
Nearest Hospital10 km

Chamber in Stone Town; reasonable hospital; flight to Dar es Salaam (20 min) for better facilities

Skill LevelBeginner Friendly
Current Strengthmild

Top Operators

One Ocean Diving

PADI

4.6
380 reviewsNITROX

Mafia Island Diving

SSI

4.4
190 reviews

Scuba Do Zanzibar

PADI

4.5
310 reviewsNITROX