Groupers Rocks, Mnemba Island - Zanzibar & Pemba

Lighthouse, up in Komodo’s northern reaches, feels like a proper ocean dive. We often hit it when the currents are running, because that’s when it really comes alive. The visibility here is usually excellent, a crisp 20m that lets you see the reef dropping away to its 23m max, all healthy corals and swaying sea fans. What we love about Lighthouse is the constant movement. Schools of fusiliers are so thick they practically block the sun, and those big pelagics – the blacktips and whitetips – are definitely patrolling, along with massive Napoleon wrasse and Giant trevally. We've even seen mantas gliding in for a clean, though they’re not an everyday guarantee. The current can be a serious push, so this one's for confident divers happy with a drift, or those who can tuck in behind a bommie and enjoy the show. It’s a site that rewards patience and good air consumption, letting you really soak in the raw power of the Komodo currents.

Location: Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -5.822900, 39.380200
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Maziwe Island

Best Time to Dive in Zanzibar & Pemba

The warmest water temperatures in Zanzibar & Pemba occur in January, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.1°C (air: 27.5°C)
February: 28.1°C (air: 27.9°C)
March: 28.1°C (air: 27.7°C)
April: 28.1°C (air: 26.1°C)
May: 28.1°C (air: 26.1°C)
June: 28.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
July: 28.1°C (air: 24.8°C)
August: 28.1°C (air: 24.9°C)
September: 28.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
October: 28.1°C (air: 26.2°C)
November: 28.1°C (air: 26.7°C)
December: 28.1°C (air: 27.3°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Groupers Rocks, Mnemba Island

Marine Life in Zanzibar & Pemba

Home to 331 recorded species including 266 reef fish, 14 sea snails & nudibranchs, 10 seagrass & algae, 8 hard corals, 8 sharks & rays, 7 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Species code: Tc (Thalassodendron ciliatum) - Seagrass & Algae
halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
Humpbacked conch (Gibberulus gibberulus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
cowry (Monetaria moneta) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
cloth-of-gold cone snail (Conus textile) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Golden-Yellow Cone (Conus flavidus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Rock Cod (Cephalopholis boenak) - Reef Fish
Brown Frillfin (Bathygobius fuscus) - Reef Fish
Long-beaked Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
Cigar wrasse (Cheilio inermis) - Reef Fish
Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
Sand-dusted Cone (Conus arenatus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Pronghorn Spiny Lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Grouper (Epinephelus areolatus) - Reef Fish
Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae)
Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) - Seagrass & Algae
Pufferfish (Arothron hispidus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Groupers Rocks, Mnemba Island

Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories