How it is to dive in Zanzibar, where you can find some of the best dive sites of the World
Diving is an amazing experience, it´s like entering a whole new world underwater! The variety of sea life is huge, and being able to observe the fishes, the corals, the colors, the movement and to mingle as if you were one of them, is definitely one of the most incredible experiences you can have!
If you´ve snorkeled before, you might have an idea what I´m talking about – though I must say the feeling of being really underwater for a long time is totally different than snorkeling!
And when you get to dive in a place where you have great water visibility, and an impressive variety of sea life, you won´t forget it! That´s how it is diving in Zanzibar, in Africa!
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GETTING STARTED
If you´ve never went diving before, the best way to get started is doing an Open Water course, where you learn everything you need about diving (3 days course, theory and practice). When you finish the course you can dive until 18m.
You also can try Discover Scuba Dive, an one day option, where you learn just the basic notions of diving and already give it a try. Particularly, I think the best thing is to do it properly (the course), and really get to learn how to do it, as it also makes you feel more secure about it.
If you already have done the Open Water course, the next step is doing an advanced one – after that you can dive until 30m.
In case you have the time and are really into diving, you may also do a Dive Master after you finish the first two courses! And, obviously, you can also just do fun dives, in case you´ve already learned how to dive before.
When you do a diving course, you get a certification from either PADI or SSI.
Bloggers tip: Travel safe using the best travel insurance, which covers even adventure sports! Get a quote here
DIVING CENTERS IN ZANZIBAR
There are many diving schools in Zanzibar, most of them at the Northern part of the island (Nungwi and Kendwa).
I chose Spanish Dancer Divers to do my advanced course, and I totally recommend it. They are very professional and organized, and also super friendly. The school has highly skilled PADI dive instructors and experienced dive masters. Also, they guide/teach in English, Spanish, French, German and in Swahili!
It´s located in Nungwi, just by the beach (at Nungwi Inn Hotel). You can book your course in advance (they usually offer a 10% discount if you book it online) or there at the diving school.
My diving instructor, Carole, was great, super experienced and very patient, I learned a lot with her. David, the owner, and Shee, the manager, are also very nice guys, they do everything they can to help you with what you need.
A cool thing about them is that they offer a free refresher course, in case it´s been a long time since your last dive, so that you can remember all about it.
Also, you can borrow a gopro for your dive, for free! They offer coffee, tea, water, hot shower and wifi, all for free as well.
Btw, if you´re staying far from the dive center, they pick you up at the hotel.
Are you going to Zanzibar? Here you can check all the accommodation options, from hostels to hotels and resorts. And if you book it through this link, you help to maintain this blog online, and you don´t have to pay anything for that.
WHERE ARE THE DIVE SITES
There are many options of dive sites in Zanzibar, mostly in the Northern part. The good thing about being based in Nungwi is that it´s easy to go from there anywhere around, like Mnemba Atol, it the east part of the island, or Tumbatu, at the west side.
Some of the most know dive sites in Zanzibar are around Tumbatu Island (Shetani, Mwana wa Mwana), Mnemba Atol (Wattabomi, Kichuani) and Nungwi.
HOW ARE THE DIVES
You can dive from the shore or from the boat. Usually you go diving by boat, it takes about 1h to arrive at the dive site, depending on where you go (Mnemba Atol is farther, but you go there by speed boat if you´re diving with Spanish Dancer Divers).
You can do two dives at each boat trip. Usually it leaves around 9AM and returns about 2PM. The average length of the dive is about 45-50 minutes, you have a break between each dive at the boat, where you can relax and enjoy the fruits, snacks and water.
The groups that go diving with Spanish Dancer Divers are small (around 10 people plus instructors/dive masters).
HOW TO BOOK THE DIVES
To check more info about the prices and the diving courses, check Spanish Dancer Divers site here.
Bloggers tip: if you book in advance, you get 10% discount
How about you? Have you already been to Zanzibar and have some cool tips about the city? Or do you plan to visit it and have some doubts? Share your ideas leaving a comment here!
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Planning your trip:
– Accommodation: you can book your accommodation here – hotels/hostels comparing and free booking cancel
– Travel Insurance: travel safe using the best travel insurance that covers even adventure sports – get a quote here
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The blogger did the Advanced Diving Course by invitation of Spanish Dancer Divers. I’d like to thank again for the opportunity, and also make it clear that all the opinions present here are independent and personal.
