Kichwani - Zanzibar & Pemba

Mimmas Point, a quick five-minute hop from Nabucco Spice Island Resort, offers a gentle introduction to Halmahera’s underwater scene. We found it’s a site that rewards a slow pace, with lovely coral blocks scattered across a sandy, rocky slope down to about 21 metres. Keep an eye out for the shoals of blue triggerfish that seem to own this spot, and if you’re patient, you might spot bannerfish and angelfish tucked beneath the table corals, perhaps keeping a low profile from the occasional blacktip reef shark. Visibility averages around 15 metres, making it a good, relaxed dive.

Location
Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-5.829900, 39.384300
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

Nearest Dive Centres to Kichwani

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

Recommended Packing List for Kichwani

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving at Kichwani?
The Kichwani dive site features a large coral reef that extends from the surface down to 30 meters depth. However, the maximum recommended depth for diving at this site is 18 meters, making it suitable for various dive levels. Divers can explore the vibrant reef within this range.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Kichwani dive site?
Divers at Kichwani can expect to encounter a vibrant big coral reef, boasting a good mixture of hard and soft corals of different colors. Marine life includes a variety of reef fishes like pufferfish, butterfly fish, and even the rare frogfish. Keep an eye out for Napoleon fish and Jackfish on the blue side, and you might even spot dolphins. Don't miss the impressive glassfish shelter at 25 meters!
How challenging is the Kichwani dive site, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
The Kichwani dive site is rated as intermediate in difficulty. While its maximum depth is 18 meters, which is within many beginner certification limits, the intermediate rating suggests it's best suited for divers with some experience rather than absolute beginners.
What are the best months or seasons to dive at Kichwani for optimal conditions and marine sightings?
Unfortunately, the provided data does not specify the best months or seasons for optimal diving conditions and marine sightings at Kichwani. For this information, we recommend checking a dedicated when to dive guide for Zanzibar & Pemba.
What diving certifications are required to dive at Kichwani?
Given that Kichwani is rated as an intermediate dive site with a maximum depth of 18 meters, divers should ideally possess at least an Open Water Diver certification. While this certification generally covers the depth, the intermediate difficulty suggests that some prior diving experience would be beneficial for a comfortable and enjoyable dive.
What are the typical currents and visibility like at Kichwani dive site?
Divers at Kichwani can typically expect excellent visibility, averaging around 19 meters. Information regarding typical currents at the site is not provided in the available data.