Shoulder - Mafia Island

Tombant 60 is one of those spots we love to tell our friends about, especially those with a bit of tech training under their belt. You drop into this incredible blue, aiming for around 40m, and then the real show starts as you approach the drop-off. It just plummets, down to over 120m, a proper vertical world. We’re talking some seriously huge gorgonians here, not just big, but some easily pushing past four metres. And no, we weren’t narced when we measured them, they’re genuinely massive. We’ve seen golden-yellow cones tucked into the crevices and the occasional dorado zipping past in the blue. For certified advanced nitrox divers, this wall offers an amazing sense of exposure and depth, with pristine visibility usually around 30m. It’s a site for those who appreciate the vastness of the ocean and the thrill of a deep wall dive, but you can also stay shallower and admire the honeycomb corals if you prefer.

Location
Mafia Island, Tanzania, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-7.947100, 39.812700
Type
wall

Marine Protected Area: Mangrove

Best Time to Dive in Mafia Island

The warmest water temperatures in Mafia Island occur in January, averaging 28.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.8°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • February: 28.8°C (air: 28.0°C)
  • March: 28.8°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • April: 28.8°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • May: 28.8°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • June: 28.8°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • July: 28.8°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • August: 28.8°C (air: 25.0°C)
  • September: 28.8°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • October: 28.8°C (air: 26.1°C)
  • November: 28.8°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • December: 28.8°C (air: 27.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Mafia Island

Nearest Dive Centres to Shoulder

Marine Life in Mafia Island

Home to 165 recorded species including 94 hard corals, 63 reef fish, 3 sharks & rays, 2 jellyfish, 1 other, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Shoulder

Based on average water temperature of 28.8°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range and maximum depth for diving at Something Special in Bonaire?
Information regarding the dive site 'Something Special in Bonaire' is not available in the provided data context. The provided data pertains to the 'Shoulder' dive site in Mafia Island, Tanzania. For the Shoulder, the maximum depth is 19m, though the description mentions around 26 meters for the 'adrenaline' dive, indicating a deeper potential for experienced divers. No specific depth range is given for the Shoulder beyond its maximum.
What kind of marine life and coral formations can divers expect to see at the Something Special dive site?
Information regarding the dive site 'Something Special in Bonaire' is not available in the provided data context. The provided data pertains to the 'Shoulder' dive site in Mafia Island, Tanzania. At the Shoulder, divers can typically expect to see big schools of fish, giant turtles, groupers, rays, and guitar sharks. No specific coral formations are mentioned for this site.
How difficult is the Something Special dive site, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Information regarding the dive site 'Something Special in Bonaire' is not available in the provided data context. The provided data pertains to the 'Shoulder' dive site in Mafia Island, Tanzania. The Shoulder is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive and is explicitly stated to be for experienced divers only. It is not suitable for beginner divers due to the very strong currents.
When is the best time of year to dive at Something Special for optimal conditions and fewer crowds?
Information regarding the dive site 'Something Special in Bonaire' is not available in the provided data context. The provided data pertains to the 'Shoulder' dive site in Mafia Island, Tanzania. Specific seasonal information for optimal conditions or crowd levels at the Shoulder is not provided in the context. For general guidance on dive seasons, you may find our When to Dive section helpful.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at Something Special in Bonaire?
Information regarding the dive site 'Something Special in Bonaire' is not available in the provided data context. The provided data pertains to the 'Shoulder' dive site in Mafia Island, Tanzania. For the Shoulder, it is clearly stated that this dive is 'for experienced divers only!' While specific certifications aren't listed, this implies a need for advanced training and significant diving experience to safely manage the very strong currents.
What are the usual current and visibility conditions like at the Something Special dive site?
Information regarding the dive site 'Something Special in Bonaire' is not available in the provided data context. The provided data pertains to the 'Shoulder' dive site in Mafia Island, Tanzania. At the Shoulder, divers can expect a very strong current, which is a defining feature of this 'adrenaline' dive. The average visibility for this site is 17m.