Ocean Dive

Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania

The team at Ocean Dive are some of the most genuinely laid-back, yet utterly professional, people we’ve ever had the pleasure of blowing bubbles with. For us, they really nail that sweet spot between a friendly, local vibe and serious safety standards, which isn’t always easy to find. If you’re serious about diving the quieter, more pristine sites around Matemwe, especially Mnemba Atoll, these are your people. We’ve found their smaller group sizes make a real difference, allowing for longer bottom times and a more relaxed pace underwater. We love that they focus on exploring Mnemba Atoll properly. Sure, everyone goes there, but Ocean Dive seems to hit the sites when they’re less crowded, or they know the quieter corners. Our favourite memory is drifting along the wall at Kichwani, watching a huge green sea turtle cruise by, completely unfazed by us. They’re PADI affiliated, so all the usual courses are on offer, but we’d suggest them particularly for certified divers wanting to really soak up the best of Zanzibar’s north-east. Talk to them about conditions for Leven Bank, too – it can be a thrilling, drift dive when the currents are right, but you’ll want a good briefing beforehand.