Tanzania diving Holidays

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Why you'll love diving in Tanzania!

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar… The names roll off the tongue like a roster call of Africa’s most alluring destinations, all packed into one country. Resonating with hints of the wild and exotic, these four alone are reason enough to justify packing your bag and heading off to dive in Tanzania. Within the space of several hours, it’s possible to go from diving in the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar to exploring moss-covered ruins of ancient Swahili city-states; from climbing mist-covered slopes in the Southern Highlands to trekking through the barren landscapes around Ol Doinyo Lengai, guided by a spear-carrying Maasai warrior. Yet, despite its attractions, Tanzania has managed for the most part to remain unassuming and low-key.

Diving Tanzania offers divers world-class reefs and plentiful schools of tropical fish just offshore of popular beaches and secluded locations; barracudas, sailfish, sting rays and the occasional sharks are only a few of the wide range of species that divers can meet under the deep clear waters of Zanzibar.

In general the dive season in East Africa is between September and March, with June-August being less reliable conditions though diving continues in sheltered lea shores of Zanzibar, Pemba and in the Bay of Mafia. April and May are the months of the long rains when many facilities close. Between August - October Humpback and Sperm whales and whale sharks migrate along the coast. This is also the time that Hawksbill & Green Turtles start to nest with hatchlings emerging in the new year. January to March is also the period of Whale shark aggregations.

Ask your travel health expert (e.g. GP, practice nurse or travel clinic) before your trip to provide you with up to date information and vaccines to ensure your travels are safe and enjoyable. It is vital to ensure that all members of your party have adequate health and travel insurance cover, which includes cover for cancellation and any ‘higher risk’ activities you are likely to take part in.

You will need to ensure you have correct documentation for your holiday including a full passport valid for the minimum period required from the date of departure from Tanzania. You may also require a visa.

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Beginner (10/10), Intermediate (9/10)

Zanzibar Dive Holidays

Zanzibar is an ideal destination for a luxury scuba diving holiday, combining world-class underwater experiences with exceptional comfort and style. The island's warm waters are home to vibrant coral reefs and a wide variety of marine life, including tropical fish, turtles, dolphins, and occasionally whale sharks. Exclusive resorts and boutique hotels offer beachfront suites, private pools, and personalized service. Our partner dive centres offer a tailored experience, from private dive boats to expert guides, making every dive seamless and memorable.

With over 30 dive sites, including reef, wall, and wreck diving, Zanzibar is more than just a beach island where you can relax. The strong currents of Levan Bank are a haven for big game fish such as kingfish, trevally and tuna. Don’t forget that Zanzibar is also one of the world’s premier locations for sighting the ocean's biggest fish, the whale shark. Mnemba Atoll is a 7km reef that is a conservation success story. In the months from September to December, turtles, dolphins, and whale sharks can be seen.

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Intermediate (8/10), Advance (10/10), Snorkelling (9/10)

Pemba Island Dive Holidays

Pemba Island is a short flight north on its better-known sister Island of Zanzibar. Pemba is one of the very few places left in the world where you can truly feel like an underwater explorer in this little dived area. The water around the Island offers some of the very best diving in East Africa, with a mixture of shelving coral reefs to stunning dramatic drops offer and fast drift dives.

Planet first visited this island over 20 years ago and we are pleased to say that it's unique and unspoilt nature has remained intact. This is the perfect location for a romantic break or Honeymoon as part of a tailor-made tour of East Africa. We can combine your stay in the stunning and award-winning Fundu Lagoon with any number of options including wildlife safaris in Kenya or Tanzania, Kilimanjaro climb, beach resort in Kenya, Zanzibar or Mafia Island.

Please Dive has extensive first-hand experience in this area, so please call for advice on putting together the perfect tour of a lifetime.

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Beginner (10/10), Intermediate (10/10), Advance (10/10), Snorkelling (10/10)

Mafia Island Dive Holidays

Mafia Island is the largest of a small archipelago on the coast of southern Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. Mafia Island is only 50 km long and 15 km wide, surrounded by a beautiful marine environment. Almost half the coastline is fringing barrier reefs, forming a protected marine park. The main attraction of a diving holiday to Mafia Island is its feeling of remoteness combined with stunning beaches and incredible marine life. Life on Mafia seems to have stood still, while the rest of the world races, making it feel like you are in the early 20th century. One advantage that Mafia has over it'e better-known sister islands of Zanzibar and Pemba Island is that the main dive sites, especially around Chole Bay, are accessible all year round.