CHYKO

Best months: Jul–Oct

Protected Area

Mangrove

Why dive here

With 312+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue-spotted stingrays, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - CHYKO offers some of Zanzibar & Pemba's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 26-30°C, warmest February, March, April.

Best timeJul–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blue-Spotted Stingrays, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Hammerhead Sharks · 312+ species recorded

Water26-30°C · warmest February, March, April

CharacterWreck dive · max 5m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Chyko isn’t your deep, dramatic wreck dive, but it’s a lovely spot for something different, particularly if you’re into the history. This old steamship, sunk back in 1925, sits shallow enough that you can really take your time exploring. We’re talking a maximum depth of five meters here, so it’s fantastic for long bottom times and getting some relaxed shots. What’s left of the hull and superstructure is nicely broken up, creating plenty of nooks and crannies for resident reef fish. You'll often spot juvenile snappers darting between the metal plates, and we’ve seen some decent-sized pufferfish tucked away in there too. The corals are starting to colonise the wreck, softening the edges and adding some colour. It’s a great site for newer divers or for a chilled-out second dive when you just want to poke around without any pressure.