Abbas reef
Protected Area
Menai Bay
Why dive here
With 312+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue-spotted stingrays, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - Abbas reef offers some of Zanzibar & Pemba's richest reef diving. Water ranges 26-30°C, warmest February, March, April.
Abbas Reef, just a quick hop from Kizimkazi, is one of those places we always recommend for a relaxed afternoon. It’s got a gentle vibe, perfect if you’re still building confidence, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s boring. We found a surprising density of activity here, especially in the shallower sections. The reef itself is a pretty healthy patch of coral, not enormous, but what’s there is vibrant. We’ve drifted over sandy patches thick with seagrass, spotting green turtles grazing – always a treat. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too. We’ve seen blue-spotted stingrays half-buried in the sand, their electric blue spots popping against the beige, and a few times, we’ve been lucky enough to spot seahorses clinging to the weed. The nudibranchs here are surprisingly colourful, a real photographer’s delight if you’re patient. Visibility hovers around 15 metres, often better on a calm day, and with a maximum depth of 15 metres, you get plenty of bottom time to explore. It’s an easy, unhurried dive, great for focusing on macro life or just enjoying a peaceful drift.
Typical Abbas reef Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Nearest Dive Centres to Abbas reef
Dive shops near Abbas reef
Dive Horizons Zanzibar
Dive Time Zanzibar
Eagle Ray Water Sports
Ocean Wonder Dive Center
Buccaneer Diving
Fumba Water Sports
Reviews for Abbas reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Abbas reef
Abbas reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Abbas reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-5.98, 39.4) (10km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
27°C
81°F · Range: 25.9–28.4°C
Air Temperature
26°C
79°F
Wind Speed
4.72 m/s
9.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1013.8 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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