PARAPORTIANI
Protected Area
Pemba Channel Conservation Area
Why dive here
With 41+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, napoleon wrasse and pufferfish - PARAPORTIANI offers some of Dar es Salaam & Offshore Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 26-30°C, warmest March, April, December.
Paraportiani is one of our favourite spots around Dar es Salaam, not for crazy depth or pelagics, but for its sheer accessibility and history. This steamship, built in 1927, ran aground off Punguti Island in 1967 and now sits in just 5 metres of water. It’s perfect for a long, relaxed dive, even if you’re newer to wreck diving or just want to spend some serious bottom time exploring. We love finning slowly over the remains of the hull and superstructure. You can still make out the ship’s impressive 94-metre length. Hard corals have really taken hold, creating chunky formations all over the metalwork. Look closely, and you’ll spot moray eels peering out from gaps and countless damselfish flitting among the coral branches. Sometimes, if you catch it just right, the light filters through the surface, illuminating the wreck in a really ethereal way. Visibility here averages around 15 metres, occasionally pushing to 20 on a good day, but it’s always enjoyable.
Typical PARAPORTIANI Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Strong currents typical this month (avg 31 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Nearest Dive Centres to PARAPORTIANI
Dive shops near PARAPORTIANI
Fundu Lagoon / 710 Dive Centre
Lulu Diving Center
TGI Diving Nungwi
SSI Freediving
Spanish dancer divers
TGI diving
Reviews for PARAPORTIANI
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for PARAPORTIANI
PARAPORTIANI Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for PARAPORTIANI, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-5.09, 39.62) (5km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
27°C
81°F · Range: 26.2–28.5°C
Current Speed
31.14 cm/s
Direction: N (5.5°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.172 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
35.1 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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