Dive Diving Reef Duration Fish

MATEMWE DIVE SITES

All dives from Matemwe are conducted along the north eastern coast of Zanzibar. Generally we tend to dive around Mnemba Island due to the better visibility and wider range of fish. There are many interesting diving sites on the fringing reef directly in front of the hotel, though with lower visibility. The fringing reefs get better from September onwards. In general the visibility ranges between 15 and 30 meters. July and August can be windy so the visibility is usually around 15 - 20 m. From September on, the visibility gradually improves reaching its peak around January, but this is very variable depending on the severity (or lack) of the small rains. Diving conditions are often excellent late October and November with calm winds, flat seas and very few other tourists around! The small rains are due November and December but typically, Matemwe only experiences light rains for an hour or so per day and these do normally not interfere with our activities.

All dive trips are escorted by an experienced dive instructor, the dive boat is a local dhow powered by outboard motor and sail. The dive boat always carries emergency oxygen, vhf radio and a small first-aid kit. GPS is used when necessary.
A sun shade is erected when needed though sun hats and sun blocks are highly recommended.

The following is a brief description of a few sites:

KICHWANI

Located on the southern end of Mnemba Island, this site is ideal for both divers and snorkellers. The boat anchors in a shallow (2 - 4m) sandy area next to the reef, the sandy area slopes gradually along the edge of the reef to about 10m where it turns east along a steep reef slope. This slope runs from about 3m down to about 25m so divers can pick a depth according to their experience. This site is excellent for seeing a large range of fish including rudderfish, jacks, wrasse, morays and groupers. Dolphins are commonly seen on the boat trip out to this site.

SINAWI

Starts further east from Kichwani and is a shallow slope ranging between 5m and 12m. A nice coral area with plenty of sea-slugs, morays and schooling batfish. Turtles can sometimes be seen here.

MLANGO MDOGO

Further still to the east this is a similar site to Sinawi but with fewer large fish. Being fairly distant there is the chance to see some bigger pelagics but they are by no means common in the shallow areas. The site does have a nice range of small reef fish and some good coral cover.

PUNGU WALL

For experienced divers this rarely dived site offers a chance to see some amazing fish life. The dive starts with a deep free descent to 35m, the divers swim along the top of a wall that runs from 35 - 70m. There is very little coral to see but you can get close to some really big fish. Large groupers up to 2.5m in length, schools of big jacks, barracuda, tuna, eagle rays, sharks and turtles have all been seen.
This dive is restricted to qualified, experienced divers only, limited to a maximum of four divers per trip and is highly weather dependent. Dive computers are recommended for this dive.

KOMBE

Lies on Zanzibar's fringing reef north of Matemwe. Excellent foliose coal bed and abundant small fish. Good area for Lion fish and small blue spotted ribbontail rays. The depth range is between 5m and 25m. A good site for mooching under and around the corals. In windy conditions this site can get quite poor visibility.

AQUARIUM

Runs west along the slope from Kichwani, the start of the dive is perfect for beginners with shallow coral bommies spreading out along a sandy seabed. A wide range of hard and soft corals, sponges and fish also provide excellent opportunities for photographers.Going a bit deeper down the slope (15 - 25m) there is a fantastic stretch of foliose coral with lots of large jacks and groupers swimming around. Further along this slope, the coral breaks up into a sandy area with interspersed bommies. This area is good for seeing blue spotted ribbontail rays and occasional black tip reef sharks.

PADI Diving courses available

Discover Scuba Diving - a short introduction to scuba diving for those with no previous experience. The course is in three parts. Part one is a short, simple explanation of the diving techniques and equipment. Part two consists of an in water practice of the techniques and part three is a shallow dive around the reef led by an experienced instructor.
Course duration: half a day

Scuba Diver - A short course that increases you knowledge of diving and extends your experience. This qualification allows you to dive with a PADI Professional but certification will count towards your Open Water course. It includes three dives and three class sessions.
Course duration: two days

Open Water Course - a comprehensive learn-to-dive course covering all aspects of recreational scuba diving. The course consists of theory lessons on shore, shallow practice sessions in the water and four actual dives around Matemwe's reef. This certificate enables you to dive with any other qualified diver.
Course duration: five days.

Advanced Open Water - a more advanced course, after the open water course, which extends a divers knowledge and experience of diving under different conditions. The course includes one deep dive and a navigation dive plus three other dives of your choice.
Course duration: three days.

Rescue Diver - the next course after the advanced course will teach you how to take care of the other divers and how to handle an emergency diving situation.
Course duration: 3 days

Divemaster - you become a professionnal dive guide. The course consists of full range of theory lessons covering all aspects of recreational scuba diving with some under water experience, assisting and instructor with courses. A minimun of 60 dives is a requirement.
Course duration: 45 days

Underwater Naturalist - discover the secrets of the underwater world, learn about the different animals and plants commonly encountered by divers. The course explains the different types of life found on the reef and their interactions and gives the diver the chance to identify different forms of marine life on two open water dives.
Course duration: two days.

Reef Ecology - this unique course gives you a real insight into the workings of a reef. Wat are coral reefs? Why are they important? What problems do they face? All these questions and more will be answered on this unique course - presently only available at Matemwe Bungalows. This course is available with both diving and non-diving options.
Course duration: two days.

Fish Identification - learn to identify all those fish that you see while diving. Improve your knowledge of underwater wildlife and increase your diving pleasure. Two dives on the local reef leads you into the fish name game.
Course duration: two days.

Underwater Navigation - solve the mysteries of navigation with this exciting course. Learn to use a compass and natural features during three dives around the main dive sites. You never need to get lost again.
Course duration: two days.

Deep Diver - extend your depth safely. This course explains how to plan and conduct deeper dives, equipment considerations, decompression, computers and tables. An exciting and challenging course for the more experienced diver. Four dives to various depths around the area.
Course duration: three days.

Underwater Photographer - an interesting gentle introduction aimed at removing the mysteries of underwater photography and showing you how to take great pictures. Two dives enable you to shoot pictures in close up and/or wide angle.
Course duration: two days.

DPV Dive - Diving Propulsion Vehicle. A new way of diving to explore the unknown and unvisited. A truly 007 experience...
Course duration: one day

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