Coliseum / Hospital
Why dive here
With 95+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, bull sharks, humpback whales, manta rays and mobula rays (devil rays) - Coliseum / Hospital offers some of Bazaruto Archipelago's richest reef diving. Water ranges 23-28°C, warmest January, February, March.
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.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 35 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Nearest Dive Centres to Coliseum / Hospital
Dive shops near Coliseum / Hospital
Peri-Peri Divers
Diversity Scuba
Liquid Dive Adventures
Tofo Scuba
Barra Reef Divers
Guinjata Dive Centre
Reviews for Coliseum / Hospital
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Coliseum / Hospital
Coliseum / Hospital Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Coliseum / Hospital, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
23.27°C
74°F
Current Speed
34.79 cm/s
Direction: S (198.4°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.214 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
35.18 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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