Mafia Island, Tanzania
    Mangrove

    Red Buoy

    Best months: Jun–Oct

    Protected Area

    Mangrove

    Why dive here

    With 165+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, sea turtles, sperm whales and whale sharks - Red Buoy offers some of Mafia Island's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 26-29°C, warmest February, March, April.

    Best timeJun–Oct
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeHumpback Whales, Sea Turtles, Sperm Whales and Whale Sharks · 165+ species recorded
    Water26-29°C · warmest February, March, April
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Red Buoy gives you a decent drift, starting deep along a wall that drops beyond our typical recreational limits, though we often keep it to 27m here. It's a channel dive, so the current often plays a starring role, ushering you past a mix of corals and outcroppings. We’ve spotted plenty of red-toothed triggerfish here, along with emperor and surgeonfish hanging around the reef. Keep an eye on the blue too, because you never know what might cruise by. It's a site for those comfortable with a bit of movement, offering a solid dive without being overly dramatic.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today05:5818:1512h 17m daylightGolden hour 17:47

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Red Buoy

    Red Buoy Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Red Buoy, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-8.12, 39.65) (37km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    27°C

    81°F · Range: 26.2–28.4°C

    Air Temperature

    26°C

    79°F

    Wind Speed

    7.33 m/s

    14.2 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1014 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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