Fungu Yasini Island - Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands

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.

Location: Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands, Tanzania, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -6.597610, 39.235070
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Dar es Salaam

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Fungu Yasini Island

Afro Divers - PADI
Aqua Africa
Awesome Ocean Diving
Big Blu Mafia Island Diving Center - PADI
Blue Fin Diving
Buccaneer Diving - PADI

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 Species

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)
mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) - Seagrass & Algae
seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
Shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii) - Seagrass & Algae
Short-head Sabretooth Blenny (Petroscirtes breviceps) - Reef Fish
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) - Seagrass & Algae
Flowery Flounder (Bothus mancus) - Reef Fish
Species code: Tc (Thalassodendron ciliatum) - Seagrass & Algae
Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae

Recommended Packing List for Fungu Yasini Island

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