Pemba Dive Center - Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
The team at Pemba Dive Center are the people we send our friends to when they want a proper Tanzanian diving adventure. They really specialise in getting you off the beaten track around Pemba and the smaller offshore islands, which we think is their real draw. If you’re looking to explore untouched reefs far from the crowds, these are your guys. They’re fantastic for both seasoned divers wanting to rack up some unique dives, and newer divers looking for a slightly more intimate, less commercial experience. We love how they focus on getting you to those less-frequented spots. Think drift dives over reefs spilling with fusiliers, where the current carries you past massive gorgonian fans and the occasional patrolling reef shark. The water around Pemba often has this gorgeous, deep blue hue, and when the sun hits it just right, the light beams through, illuminating schools of snapper. Our favourite dives with them often involve a relaxed surface interval on a deserted sand cay, followed by a second dive in an area that feels like it hasn’t seen another diver in weeks. They're PADI certified, so you can sort out your training there too, but we’d suggest you go for the experience, not just the card. Just be ready for a true island vibe; this isn’t a resort, it’s an adventure.
- Location
- Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands, Tanzania, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -4.905800, 39.755000
- Phone
- +255 679 273 958
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://www.pembadivecenter.com/
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI Resort [padi:30342]
- Address
- Makangale, Micheweni, Pemba, Tanzania (united Rep.)
Diving Capabilities - Pemba Dive Center
- Snorkelling
Dive Sites Near Pemba Dive Center
Pemba Dive Center provides access to 15 dive sites in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands.
- Aquarium (reef)
- Big Wall - 15-40m (wall)
- Big Wall (wall)
- Captain Muddy - 10-30m (wreck)
- Club 54 - 10-25m (reef)
- Diving spot - 5-20m (reef)
- End of the world
- Fundo Gap
- Fungu Yasini Island (reef)
- HMS Pegasus (wreck)
- KRONBERG - 2m (wreck)
- Lighthouse
- Little Wall (wall)
- Little Wall - 15-40m (wall)
- Mandela Wall (wall)
Other Dive Centres in Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands
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.
Notable Marine Life
- Marbled Parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) - Reef Fish
- Cigar wrasse (Cheilio inermis) - Reef Fish
- Hooded oyster (Saccostrea cuccullata) - Clams & Mussels
- Spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) - Reef Fish
- Silver-streaked rainbowfish (Stethojulis strigiventer) - Reef Fish
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
- Crested Sabretooth Blenny (Petroscirtes mitratus) - Reef Fish
- Alligator pipefish (Syngnathoides biaculeatus) - Reef Fish
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
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