For an introduction to scuba-diving and snorkelling in Tanzania, see "
Outdoor activities".
Southwest Unguja's waters aren't Zanzibar's cleanest, and with underwater visibility averaging a humble 10m, experienced scuba-divers don't have much to look forward to other than wreck dives. The sheltered nature of the area's reefs do make them suitable for novices, however.
Murogo Reef is the highlight, its dramatic pinnacles and gullies filled with colourful hard corals and some soft growths, which attract a wide variety and quantity of fish.
Boribo Reef, further south, is good for large pelagics. The shallower reef east of
Bawe Island has brain corals and, a little deeper, gorgonian sea fans; sand sharks and blue-spotted stingrays may be seen.
Pange Reef surrounds a sandbank handy for sunbathing. Another favourite is
Turtles Den, which lives up to its name thanks to its turtle-friendly barrel sponges. The main
wrecks are the
Great Northern at Fungu Reef, and – for history buffs only given the poor visibility – the remains of HMS
Glasgow. A present from Britain to Sultan Barghash, it was sunk in 1896 by the Royal Navy during their bombardment of Stone Town and, in 1912, was dynamited and the resulting pieces dumped into deeper water.
Stone Town has two PADI-accredited dive centres, both open daily until around 6.30pm.
Bahari Divers Forodhani St, just south of the tunnel
0748/254786,
www.zanzibar-diving.com. A small, friendly and flexible outfit with whom a four-day Open Water course costs $320; Advanced Open Water $250; and Dive Master $650. Two dives with lunch cost $75. Night and wreck dives possible.
One Ocean (The Zanzibar Dive Centre) Kenyatta Rd, beside
Sweet Eazy Restaurant & Lounge024/223 8374,
www.zanzibaroneocean.com. Highly experienced and knowledgeable outfit offering the full range of PADI courses (same prices as Bahari Divers), plus instructor training and underwater camera rental. Night and wreck dives possible, and novices can learn the ropes in a swimming pool. They also have dive centres on the east and northeast coast.