Hunga - Zanzibar & Pemba
Magic Reef sits right where the current pushes in along the north side of Gili Meno. We love this site for a relaxed drift, especially on a gentle incoming tide. You just drop in, kick back, and let the ocean do the work. The reef here is a low-lying garden of branching corals, mostly staghorn, with sandy patches between them. Keep an eye out for blue-spotted stingrays tucked into the sand and pink anemonefish darting through their homes. It’s a fantastic spot for spotting juvenile fish, a real nursery. We often see young reef sharks patrolling the edges of the coral, and eagle rays glide past with surprising regularity. The maximum depth of 18 meters makes it perfect for newer divers or those who just want a longer, less strenuous bottom time. Visibility generally hovers around 20 meters, offering clear views of the slow-motion parade. Our pick for a tranquil afternoon dive after a busy morning.
- Location
- Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -5.734700, 39.220600
- 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)
Nearby Dive Sites in Zanzibar & Pemba
- Abbas reef (reef)
- Abbas reef (reef)
- ALMASI - 3m (wreck)
- Anemona City (reef)
- Anemona City (reef)
- Aquarium (reef)
- Aquarium (reef)
- Aquarium (reef)
- ATA - 0m (wreck)
- Barracuda Point
- Bawe Island - North (reef)
- Bawe Island - North (reef)
- Bawe South (cenote)
- Bawe South (reef)
- Cement wall (wall)
Nearest Dive Centres to Hunga
- Awesome Ocean Diving Center - ["PADI"]
- Bawe Diving Center
- Bluewavediving-Zanzibar - ["PADI"]
- Buccaneer Diving - ["PADI"]
- Cool Zanzibar Water Sports - ["PADI"]
- Dive Horizons Zanzibar
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 Hunga
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