Tanzania

Large aggregations visit the waters of Mafia Island to feed on plankton.

Whale Shark

Commonly seen on the reefs; several islands have active nesting beaches.

Green Turtle

Frequently encountered during boat trips and often seen while diving at Mnemba Atoll.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Powerful predators often seen patrolling the reef edges and channels.

Giant Trevally

Tanzania is a premier diving destination that offers a stunning variety of underwater experiences, from the colorful coral gardens of Zanzibar to the dramatic vertical walls of Pemba and the whale shark sanctuary of Mafia Island. The country's coastline and its 'spice islands' are bathed in the warm, nutrient-rich waters of the Indian Ocean, supporting a massive diversity of marine life. Divers can explore pristine reefs teeming with tropical fish, encounter large pelagics in the deep channels, and even swim with gentle whale sharks in the sheltered bays of Mafia. Tanzania is unique in that it allows travelers to perfectly combine world-class diving with a legendary African safari on the mainland. Whether you are a beginner looking for calm, clear lagoons or an experienced diver seeking the thrill of deep wall drop-offs and high-energy drift dives, Tanzania's marine world is a vibrant and rewarding frontier that remains remarkably well-preserved.

While most diving is land-based, some liveaboards operate between the islands, particularly exploring the remote reefs between Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia.

Zuri Zanzibar

Kinasi Lodge

Fundu Lagoon

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city and primary international gateway, offers surprisingly accessible diving in the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve with uninhab...

Dar es Salaam & Central Mainland Coast

The Kilwa and Southern Coast represents the true frontier of Tanzanian diving, stretching from the medieval Swahili ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani to the remote drop-o...

Kilwa & Southern Coast

Lake Tanganyika offers an entirely unique diving experience unlike anywhere else in Tanzania or indeed the world. As the second deepest and second oldest freshw...

Lake Tanganyika (Freshwater)

Mafia Island is Tanzania's premier marine wildlife destination, world-renowned for its seasonal whale shark aggregation in Forbes Bay from October to March when...

Mafia Island

Pemba Island, known as the Green Island for its lush vegetation and clove plantations, offers some of the most spectacular channel diving in the Indian Ocean. T...

Pemba Island

The Tanga and Northern Mainland coast offers some of Tanzania's most dramatic and under-dived reef systems, from the coral cliffs of Mnazi Bay to the spectacula...

Tanga & Northern Mainland

The North Coast of Zanzibar, centred on the beach towns of Nungwi and Kendwa, is the diving capital of the island offering world-class reef systems within the M...

Zanzibar – North Coast (Nungwi & Kendwa)

The South Coast of Zanzibar, anchored by the fishing villages of Kizimkazi and Makunduchi, offers a more adventurous diving experience with seasonal whale shark...

Zanzibar – South Coast (Kizimkazi & Makunduchi)

Stone Town, the UNESCO World Heritage capital of Zanzibar, serves as the cultural and logistical hub for western coast diving. The region features the extraordi...

Zanzibar – Stone Town & West Coast

Bagamoyo

Bawe Island

Bongoyo Island

Chole Bay

Chumbe Island Coral Park

Coral Gardens (Mafia)

Coral Gardens (Nungwi)

Dindini Wall

Emerald Reef

Fundu Gap

Fungu Yasin Wrecks

Hungu Reef

Jina Pass

Kendwa Reef

Kigoma Cichlid Shores

Kilwa Kisiwani

Kinasi Pass

Kitutia Reef

Kizimkazi Reef

Leven Bank

Lindi & Mtwara Reefs

Lulumbi Reef

Mafia Island Marine Park (Forbes Bay)

Mahale Mountains Shore

Makunduchi Wall

Manta Point (Pemba)

Mbudya Island

Milimani

Misali Island Marine Reserve

Mnazi Bay

Mnemba Atoll – Aquarium

Mnemba Atoll – Big Wall

Mnemba Atoll – Kichwani

Mnemba Atoll – Sand Banks

Mnemba Atoll – Small Wall

Mnemba Atoll – Turtle House

Mnemba Atoll – Wattabomi

Msasani Bay

Murogo Wreck

Njao Gap

Nyuli Reef

Paje

Pangani

Pange Reef

Saadani National Park

Sanje ya Kati

Shamiani

Sinda Island

Songo Mnara Island

Stone Town Wrecks

Toten Island

Tumbatu Island

Uvinje Gap

WWI Wrecks (Tanga)

Yambe Island

Small aircraft (Coastal Aviation, Safari Air Link) are the best way to travel between safari parks and the islands. Ferries (Azam Marine) connect Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Taxis and 'dala-dalas' (minibuses) are common for local travel.

Julius Nyerere International Airport

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

Kilimanjaro International Airport

Liveaboard Diving in Tanzania

Experience Overview

Featured Operators

Remote Reach

Booking Advice

Where to Stay in Tanzania