Kichafi - Zanzibar & Pemba
Milln Reef's "The Whale" is one of those sites we always try to hit when we're out from Cairns. It's not about huge drop-offs or tricky currents here, it's about pure, unadulterated reef immersion. We love drifting through the shallow coral gardens, particularly on a sunny afternoon when the light just punches through the water. You'll often find yourself surrounded by so many beautiful fusiliers that they practically blot out the sun for a second. Our favourite spots are the little bommies dotted around, each a miniature world. We've spent ages just watching the cheeky little Johnston Island Damsels darting amongst the coral or admiring the vibrant Coral Beauties. Keep an eye out for the Bullethead Parrotfish, too; they're always busy munching away. While it’s pretty straightforward diving, the sheer density of reef life makes it a standout. It's a perfect spot for photographers or anyone who just wants to really soak in the reef.
- Location
- Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -5.738100, 39.333800
- 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 Kichafi
- 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 Kichafi
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