Diving in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
Why dive here
Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands offers some of Tanzania's richest diving, with 41+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, napoleon wrasse and pufferfish. Water ranges 26-29°C, warmest March, April, December.
Dar es Salaam isn't the first place that springs to mind for Tanzanian diving, with Zanzibar hogging much of the spotlight. But venture out to the offshore islands, particularly those within the marine reserves, and you’ll find some genuinely charming spots. We love the feeling of slipping into a calm blue and watching schools of fusiliers drift by, sometimes so dense they really block the light. The reefs around Bongoyo and Mbudya are our favourites; they're not dramatic walls, but gentle slopes and patches, full of vibrant coral growth and a good variety of reef fish. You'll often spot flowery flounders camouflaged perfectly on the sand, or a banded toby poking around the coral heads. We’ve had lovely drift dives here too, just letting the current carry us past the seagrass beds where you might spot a Pacific cornetfish hovering. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, it’s a serene place to spend an afternoon underwater. Go early in the morning for the calmest conditions and fewer boats.
Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands Dive Sites
26 dive sites in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
Aquarium
The Aquarium, just off Dar es Salaam, lives up to its name. It’s a relatively shallow coral reef, and we’ve often found it calm enough for less experienced divers or those looking for an easy second dive. You can expect a good scattering of reef fish here – angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish are common, darting amongst the coral bommies. It’s a pleasant, straightforward dive when you’re in the area.
Big Wall
Big Wall, as the name suggests, offers exactly that: a substantial drop-off that draws you down. You’ll find a mix of smaller reef fish hugging the wall, like Indo-Pacific sergeants darting around, and if you keep your eyes peeled, we’ve spotted eroded cowries tucked into crevices. It’s a good spot for a relaxed drift, letting the current do some of the work, and the depth allows for some decent bottom time if you're mindful of your no-decompression limits. This site is a solid choice for those who appreciate the geology of a dive as much as the critters.
Big Wall
The Big Wall off Dar es Salaam offers a straightforward wall dive. Drop down and follow the reef edge, which descends into deeper water. We usually see a good mix of smaller reef fish here, like Indo-Pacific sergeants and goldbar wrasse, often schooling in the cracks and crevices. Keep an eye out for the more unusual finds, like bloodspot pipefish tucked away. It's a reliable dive for divers looking for a relaxed exploration rather than huge pelagics.
Captain Muddy
Captain Muddy is one of those sites we always find ourselves coming back to. It’s not about huge pelagics or dramatic drop-offs, but a pure joy for anyone who loves hunting for the small stuff, especially the shells. We love the sandy patches here, broken up by seagrass beds of *Thalassia* and *Halodule*. Get low, really low, and take your time. You’ll be rewarded. Our favourite finds here are the cone snails – we’ve consistently spotted the Golden-Yellow Cone and the Cloth-of-Gold Cone, their intricate patterns just stunning against the sand. Look closely for the tell-tale trails of arthritic spider conchs and the more camouflaged Granular Frog Shell. It's a site that really forces you to slow down, to appreciate the macro, the things that often get overlooked on faster dives. We’d suggest going in the late morning, after any overnight surge has settled, giving you clearer visibility to spot those smaller details. It’s a site for the patient, for the keen-eyed, and perfect for photographers with a macro lens. If you rush it, you’ll miss the magic.
Club 54
Club 54, near Dar es Salaam, offers a straightforward reef dive that’s generally calm. You’ll typically find a good range of Indian Ocean reef fish – think triggerfish, snapper, and sometimes a passing turtle. It’s a solid spot for less experienced divers looking for a relaxed exploration without strong currents or complex navigation.
Diving spot
Now, Dar es Salaam isn’t exactly on every diver's radar, but "Diving Spot" near the offshore islands offers a genuine surprise. We love this site for its chilled-out vibe and the sheer variety of smaller stuff. Dropping down, you’re often greeted by schools of fusiliers, their silver scales flashing as they ripple past, sometimes so thick they practically block out the sun. It’s a gentle drift, perfect for just cruising along and letting your eyes wander. We’ve spent entire dives here simply watching Green Turtles munching on algae, completely unbothered by our presence. Keep an eye out for the Broom-tail Filefish, a quirky little character that always makes us smile. The reef itself isn't dramatic walls, but a series of lovely coral bommies, home to everything from curious Blue Spotted Wrasses to the occasional Whitespotted Whipray gliding gracefully over the sand. It’s a great spot for macro enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a relaxed dive without battling strong currents. Our favourite time to dive here is mid-morning, just as the sun really starts to illuminate the shallows.
End of the world
The End of the World site off Dar es Salaam is a gentle slope, perfect for a relaxed dive. We’ve drifted along here often, spotting reef fish, moray eels tucked into the rock formations, and occasional rays gliding past. It’s an easy-going dive, well-suited for newer divers or anyone looking for a calm afternoon underwater. Visibility can vary, but we often get a decent 15 meters on a good day.
Fundo Gap
Fundo Gap offers a drift dive through a channel between two small islands. We often find schooling fusiliers here, along with the occasional reef shark patrolling the deeper sections. Currents can be strong, so it’s best suited for experienced divers comfortable with faster drifts. It's a solid choice when you want some action without venturing too far offshore.
Fungu Yasini Island
Hand Deeps. Just the name sounds a bit gnarly, doesn't it? And it can be, but that’s precisely why we love it. This isn't your placid tropical reef; it’s a proper Channel dive, a collection of rocky pinnacles and shelves near Eddystone, battered by Atlantic swell and tidal currents. We’ve had dives here where the visibility drops to a murky pea soup, and others where it’s opened up to a glorious 15 metres, the sunlight cutting through the water, illuminating everything. What makes it special? The sheer, rugged wildness of it all. You’ll find walls plastered with jewel anemones, vivid oranges and pinks, and crags where wrasse dart in and out. Keep an eye on the sand patches between the rocks for cuckoo skates and sand stars. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of dolphins passing through – we’ve seen common dolphins here more than once, a real treat. The currents can be formidable, so this really is one for the experienced diver, someone comfortable with a bit of a drift and good boat handling. Our top tip? Pick your slack water window carefully, and go with a skipper who knows the site inside out. If you nail it, Hand Deeps delivers some of the most exhilarating temperate diving you’ll find.
HMS Pegasus
Historic shipwreck in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands, Tanzania. 1897 Pelorus-class protected cruiser.
KRONBERG
Kronberg, she’s a peculiar one. Scuttled way back in 1915 to prevent her falling into British hands, this steamship was originally meant to supply the German cruiser SMS Königsberg. Now, she rests in just two metres of water, almost entirely exposed at low tide, in Manza Bay up near Tanga. We love how accessible she is, perfect for an extended snorkel or a very, very shallow dive. You can literally walk out to her at certain tides. The wreck herself is quite broken up, but you get a real sense of her scale, especially the massive propeller shaft. Schools of snappers and rabbitfish often mill around the deeper pockets of wreckage, and we’ve spotted morays peeking from the nooks. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers looking for something a bit different, where the light plays beautifully off the rusted metal. Our tip: go at mid-tide when there’s enough water to swim over her, but the structure is still clearly defined by the surface. It’s less a deep exploration and more an atmospheric encounter with history.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse, off Dar es Salaam, offers a straightforward dive, popular with local operators. You'll generally find good visibility, around 15-20 metres, and a sandy bottom with scattered coral bommies. Expect to see reef fish, often schooling fusiliers, and we’ve spotted moray eels tucked into crevices. It’s a solid choice for a relaxed dive, good for newer divers or a warm-up.
Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands Dive Centres
27 dive shops and operators in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
Ocean Wildlife in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
41 species recorded in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:26
Sunset
18:25
Daylight
11h 59m
Golden Hour
17:57
First light (dawn) at 06:05 · Last light (dusk) at 18:46
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:20 | 18:43 | 12h 23m |
| Feb | 06:29 | 18:45 | 12h 16m |
| Mar | 06:27 | 18:36 | 12h 8m |
| Apr | 06:22 | 18:22 | 12h 0m |
| May | 06:22 | 18:16 | 11h 53m |
| JunShortest | 06:28 | 18:18 | 11h 50m |
| Jul | 06:33 | 18:24 | 11h 51m |
| AugNow | 06:29 | 18:25 | 11h 57m |
| Sep | 06:16 | 18:20 | 12h 4m |
| Oct | 06:02 | 18:15 | 12h 13m |
| Nov | 05:57 | 18:17 | 12h 21m |
| DecLongest | 06:05 | 18:30 | 12h 25m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands.
Where to Stay near Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
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Marine Protected Areas near Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
19 protected areas near Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands - please respect local regulations when diving
Pemba Channel Conservation Area
Menai Bay
Dar es Salaam
Misali Island
Forest Reserve Name Unknown (TZA) (Mangrove) No.18
Forest Reserve Name Unknown (TZA) (Mangrove) No.19
Forest Reserve Name Unknown (TZA) (Mangrove) No.10
Maziwe Island
Mangrove
Mangrove
Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP)
Ras Kiuyu
Showing 12 largest of 19
Getting to Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
Chake Chake
Mombasa
Zanzibar
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