The Best Time For Diving And Snorkeling In Zanzibar: The best season for diving and snorkeling in Zanzibar: Zanzibar is a carefree island paradise where white-sailed dhows glisten in the azure Indian Ocean and the aroma of vanilla and cinnamon lingers in the air. While diving and snorkeling in Zanzibar offer some of the most spectacular experiences, the island is known for its spicy tang and picturesque beaches.
Zanzibar is a snorkeler and scuba diver’s paradise, surrounded by magnificent underwater landscapes teeming with bizarre and amazing marine life. A fantastic underwater safari can be found there, along with some of the best dive sites in Africa and, in the opinions of many expert divers and snorkelers, the entire world. Diving in Zanzibar is incredibly diversified and completely memorable, with activities like discovering creepy historical wrecks, enduring night dives, swimming with manatees, and making friends with bottlenose dolphins.
In the northern part of Zanzibar, the best diving season begins in March. For now, the underwater visibility is excellent. And on the majority of dives, you will see bigger and more fish than you do the rest of the year. You can find the best spots to explore, top diving conditions, and expert service with Fun Divers Zanzibar.
Many seasoned scuba divers believe that Zanzibar is the best place in the world to experience marine life and the underwater environment. There is an abundance of marine life to observe, and the coastal reefs are home to a number of unusual animals. Make sure you pack a fantastic camera if you’ve decided to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Zanzibar so you can get pictures of shrimp, pipefish, and lungfish, as well as bigger species like dolphins and sharks.
If you’re interested in seeing some enormous marine animals, consider going to Leven Bank, where you may treat yourself to sights like the barracuda and possibly even some moray eels. Apart from March, The other best time of year to visit Zanzibar for scuba diving and snorkeling is between September and October, if that isn’t big enough for you. Humpback whales and sperm whales pass through these waters during these months.
The best time to see manta rays and the whale shark, the biggest shark of them all, is from December through April. Then there is Nyange Reef, which is close to Stone Town, where you may get some amazing pictures. These, however, are by no means the only locations in Zanzibar for scuba diving. Check out Kichafi and Haji on the east coast, as well as Kizimkazi and Hunga on the south coast.
There are a few things you should be aware of before diving in Zanzibar’s stunning coastal waters. It largely depends on the tides, visibility of the water, and winds. There are two main winds that you should be aware of: the southern winds, also known as Kusi, which arrive in the months of August and July, and the northern winds, also known as Kaskazi, which arrive from November to March.
There are two quiet seasons that occur between the monsoon. April and May are not the ideal months for scuba diving or snorkeling because of the weather. Choose times of year when it’s warm and the weather is calm. The first runs from the middle of November through January, and the second from June until August. From June through March, if you could stay out of the weather, you would still have perfect diving conditions.
The boat ride to Mnemba Island, which is a great place for snorkeling and is easily accessible, takes an hour. Even though it is a private island, snorkeling is still an option for exploring its coastline. Other top destinations include Prison Island, which is just a short boat ride from Unguja and is home to enormous giant tortoises, and Chumbe Island, which boasts 90% of the coral in East Africa and is unquestionably a must-see. Below are some of the few things to consider when choosing the best time for diving in Zanzibar:
Stunning Skies: Amazing cloud formations and sunsets are frequent from March through May. The natural beauty and sunsets may be seen from Nungwi Beach.
Rain and sun: Even when it gets comfortable during the day, the weather might change suddenly. It may frequently alternate between brilliant sunny intervals, brief but intense downpours, and tropical downpours lasting an hour or two.
Actual Weather: While rain is predicted to fall continuously from March to May according to worldwide weather projections, this does not match the actual weather in Zanzibar North in real time. On Unguja Island, often known as Zanzibar, at its most northern tip is Nungwi. The climate and marine conditions here are distinct from those in other areas of Zanzibar, the other islands in the archipelago, and the Tanzanian mainland.
Peak visibility: Between 20 and 60 meters, Zanzibar North is renowned for having excellent underwater visibility. Why does this peak during the rainy season in particular? The brisk winds around Zanzibar Island abate in March to May, and the Indian Ocean at its north coast becomes remarkably quiet. For divers, the calmer waters provide good visibility.
Temperatures of Water: From March through May, the Indian Ocean’s mild waters are quite pleasant. With year-round excellent diving conditions and average water temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius, Zanzibar is a terrific choice.
Marine Life: There are more than 500 marine species and a variety of hard and soft corals. Dolphin pods, sea turtles, tropical reef fish, a wide variety of macro-marine life, unusual sea critters, and occasionally white-tipped reef sharks are frequently seen. When it rains frequently from March to May, the sea’s water temperature somewhat drops, and there are more fish on the reefs.
Little fish species like sardines and pilchards start to show up at a dive locations as a result of the reduced water temperatures. Larger predators, including barracudas, groupers, kingfish, and cobias, are drawn to these. On Zanzibar, the months of March through May are when you’ll virtually certainly see bigger fish while scuba diving.
Exclusivity: You might have the boat to yourself during March through May. With only a few other divers to obstruct your enjoyment of the reef, dive with your own personal dive guide.
Famous Dive Sites: Leven Bank, Mnemba, Tumbatu, and Nungwi are the few of the marine reserves of Zanzibar Island that provide a wide variety of dive sites to explore.
Variety of Dives: Every level of diver qualification is catered for by the variety of dives available on the walls and reefs, whether you prefer bright coral walls, sloping reefs, plate corals, or terraced coral gardens, The Best Time For Diving And Snorkeling In Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR SNORKELING AND DIVING FAQS
Is It Safe To Do Snorkeling In Zanzibar? Absolutely, the water is ideal for snorkelers of all skill levels and is very safe. No shark attacks are reported. All you need to do is make sure you can swim; if not, snorkel while wearing a life jacket.
Why Should You Do Snorkeling in Zanzibar? On vacation, snorkeling is recognized as one of the best experiences in the entire globe. Indeed, snorkeling is a fantastic way to enjoy the ocean without venturing too far beneath the surface like diving. Additionally, snorkelers can reap several health benefits from snorkeling, including improved breathing, physical fitness, mental wellness, and more, The Best Time For Diving And Snorkeling In Zanzibar.
In Zanzibar, the water is generally warm enough for divers, snorkelers, and swimmers. With temperatures ranging from 25 °C (77 °F) in August to 29 °C (84 °F) between December and April, the sea around the Zanzibar Islands is warm enough to swim in. It is advised that you keep yourself hydrated while snorkeling. Also, to keep you hydrated, the majority of Zanzibar snorkeling tours include watermelon and pure drinking water,The Best Time For Diving And Snorkeling In Zanzibar.
Can You Go Snorkeling In Zanzibar At Night Time? There are currently no locations where you can go snorkeling at night, but if you have enough money, you may reserve a stay in an underwater room at the Manta Resort in Pemba; a night in an underwater room costs $1500 for a pair.
Is it possible to snorkel with a camera in Zanzibar? Absolutely, it is acceptable and permitted for you to go snorkeling while carrying a camera. We advise you to bring your camera so you may capture the best moments of your trip to Zanzibar on film.
