| The sea between the mainland of Tanzania and the | | | | large oceanic pelagics, plenty of reef fish and even |
| island of Pemba is current swept and, therefore, a | | | | turtles. |
| great spot to witness pelagics in the water, including | | | | In 1995 part of the southern side of Mafia Island was |
| Manta Rays and Whale Sharks with also dolphins | | | | made into a marine park to protect the area thanks |
| visiting the area, | | | | to the voluntary effort put in to protect the area by |
| Most of the dive sites of this region are on the | | | | a group of British divers. Also worth visiting whilst |
| western edge of the outlying islets where the | | | | diving in Tanzania are Chole Channel, Kinasi Pass and |
| favourable depth and current mean that the diving | | | | Chole Wall. And if you need a rest from the water, |
| environment becomes perfect. Although, as with | | | | there are also the land safaris to try to track down a |
| some of the diving in neighbouring Kenya, most of | | | | different range of predators on the land. There are |
| the dives are drift dives so experience or basic | | | | also a few other places to explore, although if you |
| knowledge of the techniques would be a help. But | | | | are trekking up volcanoes do remember to allow |
| you are rewarded with well fed corals to enjoy. You | | | | plenty of time from diving to exploring as you might |
| can find a few permanent dive centres operating in | | | | be going to altitude. |
| this region, but the majority of the diving is from the | | | | There is a lot to see and do on a trip to Tanzania, |
| liveaboards that operate in the area. | | | | either on the land or in the water. If you are there in |
| One of the lesser known diving gems of the area is | | | | the March to August months then you might see |
| Mafia Islands. More of a group of islands than an | | | | turtles nesting and about in the water, although diving |
| individual island the diving in this region takes place | | | | is not the best at this time of year. Some |
| within a sheltered a sheltered bay and, as tides | | | | recommend December to March for the best diving |
| permit, the channels leading in and out of the bay. | | | | conditions, whilst certain areas such as the island of |
| The are diverse reef systems with spectacular | | | | Zanzibar is best experienced in October or November |
| underwater scenery. They may not be easy to | | | | when the diving is much better, even if the best |
| reach, but the effort can be rewarded once you | | | | diving is on the ocean side and the channel facing Dar |
| arrive there. You could be lucky enough to see the | | | | Es Salaam is silty and can be full of boats. |