Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania

    Jackfish Alley

    Best months: Jul–Oct

    Why dive here

    With 312+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue-spotted stingrays, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - Jackfish Alley offers some of Zanzibar & Pemba's richest reef 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
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Jackfish Alley. The name itself hints at what we love most about this spot near Mnemba Atoll. It’s got that dramatic wall that just keeps going, though we typically stick to the upper 22 metres. What makes it a standout for us isn't just the sheer number of jackfish, though they do school thick here. It's the cavern. You drop down to about 18 metres, then duck into this fantastic overhang, and suddenly you're surrounded. We've seen honeycomb groupers peering out, bigspot rockcod tucked into crevices, and more cowries than you can count – keep an eye out for the carnelian and eroded varieties. The light plays beautifully in there, reflecting off the walls. Snappers, every shade of yellow and blue, mill about, and sometimes you'll spot a green turtle cruising past the entrance. It's not a deep dive, but it feels adventurous. Best tackled on a calm morning, just after sunrise if you can swing it, before the day boats crowd it. We think it’s perfect for divers who appreciate a bit of overhead environment and a dense concentration of reef life without the need for extreme depths. Just remember to look up for those jacks!

    Today06:0418:1612h 12m daylightGolden hour 17:48

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Jackfish Alley

    Jackfish Alley Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Jackfish Alley, 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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