DIVE SITES DESCRIPTIONS
Pemba is indeed an underwater naturalist’s dream and opportunity to discover the real
meaning of marine paradise. It is well known for the untouched pristine diversity of dense
corals and formations of every description. Most of our dive sites are wall dives.
At present, the West and South coast of the Pemba Island has been explored more often
than East coast because it is close and easily accessible to the mainland. The East coast also
forms the leeward side during the monsoon, making diving conditions on West side of
Pemba more favoured year round. From October through March you can also dive and
explore the southern part of the Island.
MISALI ISLAND
The name Misali is a Swahili word meaning ‘praying mat’. The beautiful beach of the island
faces Mecca which is the direction Muslims face when they pray so that is why it is named
Misali.
Misali Island is the nearest dive and snorkelling spot from Fundu lagoon. It takes about 1520 minutes on our speed boats.
The first and the last impression of this island is the colour of the water, which ranges from
a vivid turquoise in the shallows to deep indigo blue where land falls away. The reef slopes
right from the beach at Misali with calm and extremely clear waters so snorkelers can enjoy
their time in the natural aquarium at their own pace.
Low tide is the best time for snorkelers as you will be closer to the reef but at high tide you
will still only be hovering 5 metres above.
CORAL MOUNTAIN
Based on submarine eminence, it is not a mountain as such, but a wall that rises from
80mtrs to 5mtrs. The wall slopes gently down to 20mtrs then it steeps off to un-diveable
depths and the waters stay deep and dark blue. The whole wall is covered by a pristine
diversity of corals mainly table corals and cabbage, or rose corals where there are shoals of
fusiliers, unicorn fish, pullers, cave cleaners. Giant triggerfish are spotted here, potato
groupers hiding under small overhangs. Green and hawksbill turtles are also spotted.
Because the reef is so pristine, it becomes the home of small, unusual marine life like leaf
fish, mantis shrimps, cleaning shrimps and nudibranchs. Look in blue for big marine life like
massive napoleon wrasse, blue fin trevally and on sandy area we spot kuhls stingrays and
torpedo rays. Rain ball runners and king fish are also spotted here as well as hump head
parrotfish. Look under table corals for puffer fish and scorpion fish, lionfish and many more.
The site is suitable for beginners and experienced divers. We do experience current but
most of the time is easy current. It is best to dive in incoming tide for better visibility.
CORAL GARDEN
Coral Garden is located at the southern end of coral mountain reef where the shallows are
very beautiful and covered with hard corals. It can be good for snorkelers too as the depth
ranges from 4mtrs to 20mtrs. It is a good introduction to wall diving and is great for
beginners and experienced divers. Coral Garden flourishes a remarkable abundance of
marine life like schools of surgeon fish, many lines snappers, black snappers, hump head
snappers, moray eels, long spiny lobsters, octopus, sting rays, nudibranch, fusiliers and
many more.
MAPINDUZI REEF
Mapinsuzi is a Swahili name meaning revolution; the reason behind this name is that the
current on this particular site is unpredictable and is generally strong. Depending on the tide
and the moon, it is best to dive in coming tides. The stronger the current the bigger the
chance to see big marine life.
The top of the wall is 8-10mtrs, and then a near vertical wall slopes down to around 4050mtrs. This point is on the outside edge and can be used if the water drifts into the gap.
Usually strong currents can be pushing into the wall. It is recommended for experienced
advanced divers because the current is unpredictable. Look for giant groupers, shoals of
barracuda, mobula rays, eagle rays, big eye trevally, huge napoleon fish and sometimes
hump head parrotfish.
WOWOWO REEF/ UTALIMANI WALL
This is yet another wall dive falling between 6 - 30mtrs. You will see large gorgonians and
fans, whip corals decorating its cliffs, schools of black snappers and black spotted snapper,
sweet lips and coral pinnacles an undulating bottom with sandy gullies and green tree like
hard corals which attract smaller fish to hover on.
UVINJE GAP
Uvinje Gap is a wall dive inside the channel where the top of the reef is 6-10mtrs and it
slopes down to 35mtrs. The coral formation of this reef is excellent and is in good condition
with a tremendous variety including very large sheets of table corals. The main feature is its
fascinating overhangs and host of fish like butterfly fish, triggerfish. The shallow teem with
impressive coral heads which are richly inhabited with swarming reef life and covered with
colourful sponges and other forms of invertebrate life. You might see turtles and eagle rays
hovering around. It is good for both experienced and non-experienced divers.
UVINJE OUTSIDE WALL
This is a small point on an extensive site. Depending on current direction, you can adjust the
drop point accordingly. The top of the wall is 6mtrs and it slopes down to 45mtrs. Huge
napoleon fish, eagle rays, and blotched fantail ray are normally spotted here.
FUNDU GAP SOUTH
Fundu Gap South is better with the current on an incoming tide and starting on the outside
of the gap. The top of the reef is 8mtrs below the surface. The wall goes below 30mtrs and
as you drift in a northerly current nearer to the gap, the sandy bottom joins the wall and
drops dramatically down to below 80mtrs.
The wall is a sheer even overhang on the corner before you enter the gap. Most of the
activity is usually found on the corner. Alternatively you can begin on a point inside the gap
and drift out with the current. Inside the gap is more of sandy slope that full with corals and
rock, and it becomes more vertical as you drift out. Visibility can be poor in outgoing
current. Dense masses of yellow or black spot snapper, sweetlips, and damselfish, napoleon
wrasse giant trigger fish, red gorgonian sea fan are found here too.
NJAO GAP SOUTH WALL
Another vertical wall, forming some overhangs, amazing gorgonian sea fans, eels, turtles,
groupers, wrasses, and other concentration of fish. Begin outside the gap and drift
northwards and inside.
NJAO GAP NORTH
It is another interesting and dramatic dive site. The lovely coral garden slopes from 5mtrs to
18mtrs and suddenly plummets down into un-diveable depths. The current can be strong
here and allows divers to enjoy when the northbound current to sweep them through the
gap into the lagoon, with no risk whatsoever. Large napoleon wrasse, green turtle and
dense of diversity other species of reef fish.
MANTA POINT
The underwater mountain is nice to dive when is incoming tide. The top of the reef is about
8mtrs to 12mtrs down and is about 40mtrs long and 15mtrs across. On its eastern flank, it
drops down to 25mtrs before the bottom rises up again to form the wall that is fringing with
reef. North and south, the reef drops down to below 60mtrs, the west side drops more
steeply and is covered with corals. You may be lucky enough to see eagle rays and devil rays
at this spot.
EMERALD REEF
Emerald Island is covered by a green coral, sponges, soft and hard corals which lends an
intense hue of the entire reef and creates the illusion of floating in a fairy-tale garden of
dramatic, soft coral trees backed by huge coral heads. The coral formations are pristine and
unspoiled, and the reef lends itself ideally to great drift dives because of its length and
immense beauty, coupled with the fact that the water is always crystal clear. Do not be
spoiled by the beauty of the reef scenery, as the greatest show may be passing in blue, staff
like silver barracuda, big eye emperor fish, big eye trevally, Napoleon wrasse, potato
groupers, It is good for advanced divers.
PANZA WRECK “PARAPORTIANI”
In 1967 the Paraportiani was sunk off Pemba Island, Zanzibar. The 94-metre cargo ship,
transporting wheat from Romania to Jeddah, was diverted around the African coast when
the Arab-Israeli conflict closed the Suez canal. Shortly before the end of the voyage, the ship
lost its radar and echo-sounder and ended up navigating by traditional methods in
unfamiliar waters. Strong and unpredictable currents forced her onto the reef. Unlike many
other wrecks, this one is extremely photogenic and the clarity of the water and good lighting
conditions contribute with interesting angles which are covered with colourful marine
growths, soft corals, and sponges. The funnels create interesting tunnel to swim through, in
which large fish such groupers and napoleon wrasse hide. Dive on slack tides and even then
you can find strong northerly currents that swirl around the wreck.
LIGHT HOUSE
Another wall dive which the corals mainly hard coral come up right next to the surface on
low tides. A strong northerly current is common here, that is good for advanced drift dive.
Loads of basslets and barracudas, potato bass, napoleon wrasse and many more.