Top Dive Sites

Site 1: Mesali Island Coral Garden

Description: Mesali Island Coral Garden is renowned for its vibrant and expansive coral formations. The site features a plethora of hard and soft corals creating a kaleidoscopic underwater landscape. You’ll find yourself navigating through an intricate maze of coral bommies and outcrops, all teeming with life.

Marine Species: The Coral Garden hosts an abundance of marine species including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. Large schools of jacks and barracudas frequent the area, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a sea turtle gracefully gliding by.

Unique Encounters: Among the unique encounters here are the occasional sightings of humphead wrasses and reef sharks, which add an element of excitement to your dive. The dense coral cover also shelters small critters like nudibranchs and ghost pipefish, which are a delight for macro photography enthusiasts.

Photography: This site offers excellent opportunities for underwater photography, especially macro shots. The vivid colors of the coral and diverse fish species provide numerous photo compositions. Wide-angle shots of the coral expanses can also be quite striking.

Suitability: The Mesali Island Coral Garden is suitable for all levels of divers due to its relatively shallow depth and calm conditions. Beginner divers will enjoy the gentle environments, while advanced divers can explore deeper sections and coral overhangs.

Site 2: Fundu Lagoon

Description: Fundu Lagoon is a serene dive site that combines shallow reefs with more complex underwater terrains. The site is characterized by a series of coral walls and sandy channels, making it ideal for both drift dives and leisurely explorations.

Marine Species: This site is bustling with marine life, including groupers, snappers, and barracudas. It is also a hotspot for crustaceans and mollusks, providing divers with the chance to see species such as lobsters, octopuses, and cuttlefish.

Unique Encounters: One of the standout features of Fundu Lagoon is the possibility of encountering manta rays, especially during the plankton bloom season. Additionally, hawksbill turtles are frequently spotted rummaging through the reef for sponges and other food sources.

Photography: Fundu Lagoon offers dynamic underwater photography conditions. The dramatic coral walls and the play of light through the lagoon create the perfect settings for both wide-angle and macro photography. The presence of large pelagics also provides excellent action shots.

Suitability: The dive site is recommended for intermediate to advanced divers due to occasional strong currents and deeper sections. However, certain calm, shallow areas are accessible for beginners with proper guidance.

Site 3: Panza Wreck

Description: Panza Wreck is an enthralling site for wreck diving enthusiasts. This sunken vessel rests at a depth of about 30 meters and is largely intact, providing a fascinating glimpse into underwater history. The wreck is encrusted with corals, making it a lively artificial reef.

Marine Species: The wreck is a magnet for marine life, attracting species such as snapper, lionfish, and moray eels. Schools of batfish and barracudas are a common sight around the structure, while the interior harbors smaller creatures like shrimp and blennies.

Unique Encounters: Divers can expect to find large grouper taking refuge within the ship’s nooks and crannies. The wreck is also frequented by the rarely-seen leaf scorpionfish, whose unique appearance makes for an exciting find.

Photography: Panza Wreck offers unique opportunities for wreck photography. The juxtaposition of the man-made structure with natural marine growth presents striking visual contrasts. Night dives are particularly rewarding for capturing the life that emerges from the wreck after dark.

Suitability: This site is best suited for advanced divers due to its depth and potential for limited visibility. Wreck diving certification is recommended for those wishing to explore the interior of the vessel.

Considerations for Each Dive Site

Water Temperature: Pemba Island’s water temperatures range between 25°C to 29°C (77°F to 84°F) throughout the year, making it pleasantly warm for diving. During the cooler months, from June to September, the temperatures dip slightly, creating comfortable conditions for longer dives. A 3mm wetsuit is typically sufficient, but some divers prefer a 5mm in the cooler months.

Visibility: Typical visibility is outstanding, ranging from 20 to 40 meters (65 to 130 feet). However, visibility can be influenced by plankton blooms, which usually occur between November and March. These blooms can attract larger marine life yet slightly limit visibility. Outside of these months, you’re looking at crystal-clear conditions, perfect for marveling at the underwater world.

Currents and Tides: Currents around Pemba Island are generally mild to moderate, making it an excellent destination for all levels of divers. Some dive sites, particularly the outer reefs, can experience stronger currents, perfect for drift diving enthusiasts. The tidal range can also play a role in dive timings; local dive operators optimally plan trips according to tidal schedules to ensure optimal conditions.

Safety Tips:

• Always dive with a certified and experienced local guide familiar with the specific sites.
• Be aware of the currents and plan dives accordingly, especially if you’re not comfortable with drift diving.
• Use an SMB (Surface Marker Buoy) to ensure you’re visible to boat traffic upon ascent.
• Stay hydrated and use adequate sun protection, as the tropical sun can be intense both on and off the water.
• Be mindful of marine life; avoid touching or disturbing any creatures, as many can be delicate or dangerous when provoked.

Regulations: Pemba Island is regulated to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly diving practices. Divers are expected to:

• Respect all marine life and avoid any interaction that could harm animals or corals.
• Refrain from collecting souvenirs; shells, stones, and any part of marine life should be left undisturbed.</ li>
• Follow all pre-dive briefings and adhere to local dive shop guidelines regarding waste disposal and reef interaction.
• Divers must hold a recognized scuba diving certification and should dive within the limits of their training and experience.