Coliseum / Hospital - Bazaruto Archipelago

Groupers Rocks, just off Mnemba, consistently ranks as one of our favourite spots in Zanzibar. It’s not a deep dive, topping out at 19 metres, but that wall, starting at 12 metres, is absolutely packed. We’ve spent whole dives just drifting along, soaking it all in, though if you ask us, the best show is often where the wall meets the sandy bottom. That drop-off is a riot of colour. You’ll see big plates of hard coral, soft corals swaying in the gentle surge, and sponges that look like they belong in an art gallery. And yes, the name isn't just for show – we’ve consistently found some hefty honeycomb groupers here, sometimes just hanging out in the crevices, watching you glide by. Look for lionfish tucked into ledges and morays peering from holes. On one memorable dive, we watched a titan triggerfish meticulously rearrange its territory, quite oblivious to us. Visibility usually sits around 17 metres, which gives you plenty of scope to take it all in. This site really shines for divers who appreciate a slower pace, those who love to spend time observing individual creatures and taking in the sheer density of coral life. It’s perfect for photographers too, given the manageable depth and good light.

Location: Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -23.838100, 35.831900
Type: reef

Best Time to Dive in Bazaruto Archipelago

The warmest water temperatures in Bazaruto Archipelago occur in January, averaging 28.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 23.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.3°C
February: 28.3°C
March: 27.6°C
April: 27.0°C
May: 25.9°C
June: 24.8°C
July: 23.8°C
August: 23.3°C
September: 23.6°C
October: 24.5°C
November: 25.8°C
December: 27.4°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Coliseum / Hospital

Marine Life in Bazaruto Archipelago

Home to 99 recorded species including 70 reef fish, 14 sharks & rays, 4 other, 3 sea cucumbers, 3 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
Soldier (Cheimerius nufar) - Reef Fish
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
Gulf torpedo (Torpedo sinuspersici) - Sharks & Rays
Halfmoon triggerfish (Sufflamen chrysopterum) - Reef Fish
Day Sarpon (Alepisaurus ferox) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
Spottail Coris (Coris caudimacula) - Reef Fish
Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) - Reef Fish
Goldbar wrasse (Thalassoma hebraicum) - Reef Fish
Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)
Rainbow wrasse (Halichoeres iridis) - Reef Fish
Banded Toby (Canthigaster valentini) - Reef Fish
Blue and Gold Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) - Reef Fish
Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) - Whales & Dolphins
Palani (Acanthurus dussumieri) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Coliseum / Hospital

Based on average water temperature of 25.9°C, currents 35 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories