Zanzibar Watersports
Zanzibar Watersports
4.5
Parasailing & ParaglidingScuba & SnorkellingSurfing & Windsurfing
Full view

About
Zanzibar City, Tanzania
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Zanzibar Watersports
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about

Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
484 reviews
Excellent
308
Very good
98
Average
34
Poor
24
Terrible
20
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
alice h
5 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
I visited Zanzibar in December 2022, and Ali made my trip incredible!! We were staying on the east coast of the island and his organisation works off the beach, he is a genuinely kind-hearted man and will work hard to get you the best of experiences.
We organised a snorkelling tour of Mnemba Atoll for the morning and the amount of wildlife was amazing! It was great pricing for me and 3 family members to do it with us.
On a seperate day we organised to go to the north end of the island for a sunset dhow trip, we had a private boat, which was a bit more pricey but I would recommend it if you don’t want to share a dhow with 20-30 other strangers. There was live traditional music on the boat, some fruit to enjoy on our trip and magnificent views of the North and West side of Zanzibar.
Would highly recommend going on tours with Ali!!
We organised a snorkelling tour of Mnemba Atoll for the morning and the amount of wildlife was amazing! It was great pricing for me and 3 family members to do it with us.
On a seperate day we organised to go to the north end of the island for a sunset dhow trip, we had a private boat, which was a bit more pricey but I would recommend it if you don’t want to share a dhow with 20-30 other strangers. There was live traditional music on the boat, some fruit to enjoy on our trip and magnificent views of the North and West side of Zanzibar.
Would highly recommend going on tours with Ali!!
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EVA122014
Italy20,923 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Mnemba is one of the best areas of Zanzibar where you can do excellent snorkelling, it feels like swimming in a natural aquarium, fish, starfish, corals, giant urchins, anemones, turtles if you are lucky but above all lately it is the place where the most sightings are dolphins and this time too we saw several and we dived to swim close together, a unique emotion, the excursion was organized by our guide Kassim who once on the boat prepared us a snack based on delicious fruit and waterfall ! In Mnemba, you cannot disembark, it is private, but at low tide it depends on the time. After snorkeling you move to a magnificent strip of sand that emerges on one side of Mnemba and you can go down there, keeping your distance, for a while. 'relaxation and photos. The water around Mnemba is something incredible, emerald green and turquoise with a unique transparency! An unmissable stop for anyone in Zanzibar!

Written October 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lénaig L
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Superb outing swimming with dolphins and snorkeling with fish. Mzii organized this half-day: driver at the hotel, fruit on the boat, sandbank... For this first snorkeling trip, he was patient and showed me how to dive with a mask and snorkel. He was also very accommodating on the price as I was traveling alone. I really recommend!

Written October 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheFrogOfLondon
London, UK235 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Most unsafe snorkelling trip I have ever taken:
First of all it was crowded with boats all leaving at the same time and coming back at the same.
Boats were motoring at speed inches away from swimmers and from local fishermen diving to catch octopus. No sense of safety whatsoever.
(Note: nobody asks you if you can swim and there are no life jackets available on board any of the small boats)
They say they have a ´No chase’ policy with the dolphins and that couldn’t be further away from the truth. It was total chaos in there with 30 boats chasing the poor dolphins. It was so sad and so unethical that we asked our boat driver to turn around and take us snorkelling instead. You don’t see much anyway and good luck jumping in the water in this chaos to swim nearby them…all you’re going to get is a cut from a boat passing over you. In my opinion nobody should entertain or support that type of tourism and it’s a real shame Zanzibar authorities are not regulating this spot with regular patrols.
Stopping near the atoll was no better. The setting is incredibly beautiful but with at least 30 other boat moored next to each other, it feels like Dysneyland .
The underwater life is nice and you will spot many fishes but a lot of the coral is broken and swimming around is made difficult by the insane amount of people confined in the water in a small area all at the same time. Mass tourism at its worst…beware that visibility is poor due to current and you need to be a strong swimmer to really enjoy it.
Overall, I would not recommend.
First of all it was crowded with boats all leaving at the same time and coming back at the same.
Boats were motoring at speed inches away from swimmers and from local fishermen diving to catch octopus. No sense of safety whatsoever.
(Note: nobody asks you if you can swim and there are no life jackets available on board any of the small boats)
They say they have a ´No chase’ policy with the dolphins and that couldn’t be further away from the truth. It was total chaos in there with 30 boats chasing the poor dolphins. It was so sad and so unethical that we asked our boat driver to turn around and take us snorkelling instead. You don’t see much anyway and good luck jumping in the water in this chaos to swim nearby them…all you’re going to get is a cut from a boat passing over you. In my opinion nobody should entertain or support that type of tourism and it’s a real shame Zanzibar authorities are not regulating this spot with regular patrols.
Stopping near the atoll was no better. The setting is incredibly beautiful but with at least 30 other boat moored next to each other, it feels like Dysneyland .
The underwater life is nice and you will spot many fishes but a lot of the coral is broken and swimming around is made difficult by the insane amount of people confined in the water in a small area all at the same time. Mass tourism at its worst…beware that visibility is poor due to current and you need to be a strong swimmer to really enjoy it.
Overall, I would not recommend.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noraioana
Bucharest, Romania147 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
We went to Mnemba Island twice as we loved the snorkeling experience. The clear water and beautiful reef are a must see. We could swim with the beautifully colored fish and after that we went to s sandbank for some chilling and sunbathing. We loved it so much that we had to go twice. We went both times with Ibrahim and also he took us on a boat ride to Nungwi and Kendwa. We enjoyed his company as we felt safe and welcome. He speaks English and is very punctual and professional. The prices he offers are competitive as he is working on building his business not like other locals that try to scam you. We fully recommend him!
Contacts: whatsapp number+255628522310
Contacts: whatsapp number+255628522310
Written March 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack P
6 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Had a good half a day snorkeling here. Some good corals and plenty of colourful fish. Went to the sandbar and had some fruit too (generally part of the package type deal) and this was amazing as well. Well worth it. You can just drive to the beach and pay for a boat ride but much better to book a guide as they have much better English and then negotiate the boat fees for you. We went with Ibrahim. (+255 628 522 310) he was great and speaks both English and French. Felt in good hands with him.
Written May 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivilicious B
Vienna, Austria42 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
The water looks like paradise around the island. To get there you need to cross with a boat the riff wall which lies a few meters in front of the coast. There are sometimes huge waves and we made a big jump with the boat to cross it. (Hold your things tight!)
-1 because the underwater life is nice but not that exotic like we were told, the viewability was only 3 meters under water and the dolphin watcher boats drive very fast and dangerously between the snorkelers.
However, I would still recommend to go there.
-1 because the underwater life is nice but not that exotic like we were told, the viewability was only 3 meters under water and the dolphin watcher boats drive very fast and dangerously between the snorkelers.
However, I would still recommend to go there.
Written October 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ally Abubakar
Zanzibar Island, Tanzania10 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Mnemba Island is a single small island located about 3 km off the northeast coast of Unguja, the largest island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania, opposite Muyuni Beach. It is roughly triangular in shape, about 500 metres (1,640 ft) in diameter and about 1.5 kilometres (0.9 mi) in circumference. It is surrounded by an oval reef seven by four kilometres in extent. These reefs have been declared a marine conservation area. Mnemba Island and its reef are sometimes called Mnemba Atoll which is incorrect because an atoll is an island that encircles a lagoon, which is not the case for Mnemba Island.
Mnemba island near Zanzibar
Mnemba Island is a popular scuba diving site, with a wide variety of corals and associated species, as well as occasional sightings of larger species such as turtles and dolphins. Calm conditions are most frequent in November and March, with maximum visibility. The island itself is privately owned and can be visited only as a guest at a price of US$1155 to US$1600 per person per night (2015 rates). As Mnemba is a private island, non-guests are not permitted to land on the island.The island has a 200-meter exclusion zone around the island within which non-guests are not permitted.
Mnemba island near Zanzibar
Mnemba Island is a popular scuba diving site, with a wide variety of corals and associated species, as well as occasional sightings of larger species such as turtles and dolphins. Calm conditions are most frequent in November and March, with maximum visibility. The island itself is privately owned and can be visited only as a guest at a price of US$1155 to US$1600 per person per night (2015 rates). As Mnemba is a private island, non-guests are not permitted to land on the island.The island has a 200-meter exclusion zone around the island within which non-guests are not permitted.
Written March 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liam cormac
Ireland4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
It was a nice experience seeing the dolphins but very crowded with speed boats. We didn't have time to swim with them.tge snorkelling was good .a lot of fish to see.we booked a private bkat with Suleiman +255756983368 from nungwi for 200$ four people which Included fruits,soft drinks and gears .
The island is private and make sure you don't step on it you will have to pay 1000$ for that
The island is private and make sure you don't step on it you will have to pay 1000$ for that
Written February 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn O
Manchester, UK2 contributions
Jul 2022
What started as a simple beach tour ended up as a wonderful snorkeling experience at Mnemba Atoll. This place has hands down one of the best dolphins I have ever seen. While the water is not as turquoise as in Nungwi, Mnemba has a beautiful vibe. Perhaps the only downside is that you have to get a private boat to enjoy the experience more. You can book with Erick (+255756983368) to acquire impeccable services, guide and bookings.
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi What is the average price to pay for a full day snorkelling tour pp? Do they offer pick up service from hotels
Written March 12, 2019
The official safari blue tour is $70 and transfer to the hotel and back (from nungwi) was $80. I preferred the Mnemba tour, there was a lot more sea life to see, but there isnt much time to relax, and the lunch you get is poor in comparison to the seafood buffet you get on the safari blue. So it just comes down to what you would prefer to get out of the day :)
Written March 13, 2019
Bonjour, je cherche à joindre james mais je n y arrive pas. Êtes vous sur du numero ? Petite question, vous avez payé combien svp. Cordialement valerie
Written February 26, 2019
Bonjour
Je ne connais pas James désolée.
Sur place, a la plage le jour J, nous avons payé 20e de mémoire (par personne)
Attention, il faut négocier !!!
Written February 27, 2019
How close is Mapenzi Beach Club to the Atoll
Written October 10, 2018
First a short driving then a short sailing.
Easily found at google Maps.
Written October 10, 2018
Hello,
Do you know what is the best time to see dolphins in Mnemba ?
Thanks in advance.
Written September 22, 2018
hi
Here is local guide. Based on my experience the best time for dolphins is in the morning around 8am - 9am
WhatsApp/Normal call
+255777 814 472
Thanks
Simba
Written October 6, 2019
Bonjour
Je vais sur zanzibar début octobre, je compte faire le Mnemba Atoll
J’aurai aimé avoir votre retour concernant pour cette excursions, vous conseillez de prendre via l’hôtel où avec les beach boys?
Est surtout quels sont les prix ?
Et qu’elle est le programme?
Merci de vos réponses
Logan :)
Written September 5, 2018
La sortie sur Mnemba Island est vraiment à faire pour notre part nous avons fait le choix des beach boys mais je ne suis pas certain que ce soit la meilleure solution car c'est tout de même assez spartiate alors qu'avec l’hôtel vous avez une sortie sur la journée plus complète avec repas sur l'île pour ce qui nous concerne nous avions payé 45 dollars par personne donc nous en avons eu pour 45 dollars.... c'est à dire petit bateau à moteur nous étions 6 à bord, recherche des dauphins ( que nous avons eu la chance de voir) puis plongée près de l'île environ 45 mn ,quelques beaux poissons, mais au niveau des coraux quasiment tous morts car piétinés par les trop nombreux touristes, pas de débarquement sur l'île puis retour. Excursion d'une 1/2 journée mais il y a mieux demandez à l'hôtel.
Cordialement.
Christian.
Written September 5, 2018
hello, is it allowed to visit also the island on a day trip?
Written August 3, 2018
Hello
No it isn’t possible thé Island si private
Written August 6, 2018
Salve vi volevo fare una domanda c'è un po' di spiaggia dove fare il bagno oppure l'escursione è solo a largo dell isola?grazie a chi risponderà
Written June 2, 2017
nessuna spiaggia ma mare stupendo e barca
Written June 4, 2017
Hi there (André H) If you have only one day left for a scuba-trip in Zanzibar - which of the Safari Blue or the Mnemba Atoll trips would you choose?
Written February 12, 2017
We also went snorkling at Mnemba, however you kind of swimm as deep as some of the divers, the reeefs are shallow enough and you can see more snorkling at Mnemba.
The reefs in the south where Safari Blue takes you to is not well preserved and the water is not so clear. My recommendation is still a half day or full day trip to Mnemba. on the way back you could also request that they drop you off at Nungwi , where you could swim with the sea turtle's in the Mnari conservattion pond- and this could easily be fitted into one full day.
But Mnemba wins hiands down, on reef quality, the wildlife at the reef and on water clarity. It is also much less crowded than Safari Blue
Written March 22, 2017
Salve volevo sapere se consigliate questa escursione?
Written January 22, 2017
Ciao io te la consiglio assolutamente , affidati hai Beach boys con 20 dollari passi una giornata stupenda in un mare stupendo! A me è piaciuta davvero tanto anche più del safari blu
Written February 1, 2017
Showing results 1-9 of 9
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.