6m
    Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania
    Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP)

    GREAT NORTHERN

    Best months: Jul–Oct

    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.

    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 6m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    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

    5mSafety Stop0m6m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    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.

    Today06:0518:1712h 13m daylightGolden hour 17:50

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    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)

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    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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