Stingray city
Protected Area
Menai Bay
Why dive here
With 312+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue-spotted stingrays, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - Stingray city offers some of Zanzibar & Pemba's richest diving. Water ranges 26-30°C, warmest February, March, April.
Forget what you’ve heard about Stingray City elsewhere, this isn't a crowded tourist trap. Zanzibar’s version is a much more organic affair, a shallow, sandy patch where blue-spotted stingrays genuinely gather, often seeking out the warmth. We love how interactive it feels without being forced. You’ll settle onto the sand, perhaps at 8-10 meters, and watch as these elegant creatures glide in, sometimes brushing right past your fins, their tails trailing behind them like silk ribbons. It’s an ideal spot for macro enthusiasts, too, especially if you take your time. While the rays are the obvious draw, look closely for juvenile wrasse darting in the ripples, cowries hunkering down in the sand, and the occasional little post horn squid jetting by. The visibility can vary, but generally, it’s clear enough to capture some lovely natural light shots. Our advice? Go in the mid-morning when the light is good and before any potential afternoon chop picks up. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers or anyone wanting a relaxed encounter with some genuinely beautiful marine life.
Nearest Dive Centres to Stingray city
Dive shops near Stingray city
Ocean Wonder Dive Center
Buccaneer Diving
Eagle Ray Water Sports
Rising Sun Dive Center
Bluewavediving-Zanzibar
Dive Horizons Zanzibar
Reviews for Stingray city
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Stingray city
Stingray city Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Stingray city, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-5.98, 39.4) (10km away)
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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