GREAT NORTHERN
Protected Area
Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP)
Why dive here
With 312+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue-spotted stingrays, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - GREAT NORTHERN offers some of Zanzibar & Pemba's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 26-30°C, warmest February, March, April.
Great Northern is one of those rare wrecks that doubles as a time capsule. This old merchant vessel ran aground way back in 1902, settling onto the reef in just six meters of water. We love a shallow wreck, especially one so well preserved, because it means more bottom time without the decompression limits. You can spend a full hour exploring the bones of this 73-meter ship, tracing the outline of her hull, peering into what would have been cargo holds, and imagining the final moments before she went down. Despite the age, there’s still plenty of structure to explore. The wreck has become a home for all sorts of reef fish; we often find big schools of snapper hanging around the deeper sections of the hull, and octopuses love to hide in the nooks and crannies. The light penetration is fantastic here, painting the wreck in shifting shades of blue and green, and making for some striking photography. It’s a site that truly suits anyone, from snorkelers to experienced divers, offering a gentle, fascinating glimpse into maritime history right off the coast. Our favourite time to dive it is first thing in the morning, before any boat traffic kicks up the sand.
Typical GREAT NORTHERN Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Nearest Dive Centres to GREAT NORTHERN
Dive shops near GREAT NORTHERN
Bawe Diving Center
Fumba Water Sports
Cool Zanzibar Water Sports
Scuba Blue Zanzibar
Scubafish Dive Center Ltd
Ocean Dive
Reviews for GREAT NORTHERN
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for GREAT NORTHERN
GREAT NORTHERN Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for GREAT NORTHERN, 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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