Diving in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands

Explore 27 dive sites in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands, Tanzania. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands occur in April, averaging 29.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 25.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.2°C
  • February: 28.6°C
  • March: 29.2°C
  • April: 29.3°C
  • May: 28.1°C
  • June: 27.1°C
  • July: 25.9°C
  • August: 25.5°C
  • September: 25.8°C
  • October: 26.7°C
  • November: 27.6°C
  • December: 28.7°C

Marine Life in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands

Home to 55 recorded species including 33 reef fish, 14 seagrass & algae, 2 other, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 clams & mussels, 1 starfish.

Dive Site Difficulty in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands

Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands has 2 beginner dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands

Based on average water temperature of 27.6°C, currents 33 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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

Marine Protected Areas in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands

  • Maziwe Island - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category II)
  • Ras Kiuyu - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP) - Sanctuary and Closed Forest Reserve (IUCN Category II)
  • Menai Bay - Conservation Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Misali Island - Conservation Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Forest Reserve Name Unknown (TZA) (Mangrove) No.10 - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Forest Reserve Name Unknown (TZA) (Mangrove) No.18 - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Forest Reserve Name Unknown (TZA) (Mangrove) No.19 - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Dar es Salaam - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Pemba Channel Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Mangrove - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands - Nearest Airports

  • Pemba Airport (PMA), Chake Chake - 31 km away, approx 49 min travel time
  • Moi International Airport (MBA), Mombasa - 120 km away, approx 146 min travel time
  • Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), Zanzibar - 129 km away, approx 155 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres