Zanzibar and Pemba or only one ?

Hi all,

I am currently planning my honeymoon and the present destination is Tanzania. This will enable us to spend 10 days on a land safari and 10 days in a diving area.

My quandry is this: do I spend 5 days diving in North Zanzibar (Ras Nungwi) and 5 days diving in Pemba (Fundu Lagoon) or 10 days in Ras Nungwi or 10 days in Fundu.

Does anyone have any first hand experience of diving and photographing in these areas ?

Thanks

I would deffinately do both areas, each has lots to offer, especially if it's your first time. Pemba and the pelagics are obviously seasonal encounters, so in ten days you may see everything or nothing Good idea to check with the DC for seasonal sightings info. Zanzibar is incredibly old and interesting topside, in the sea amazing diversity.

I have dived out of Stone Town in the past (early 2000) and although good it wasn't world class. However I have heard that the Pemba Straits can be amazing just not sure which side is better Zan or Pemba. We will be travelling in August not sure what is about at that time I will check with a couple of DC's.

As for Zanzibar topside it is one of the most exotic exciting places I have visited.

Just an update I have spoken to a number of dive operators in the UK and they have suggested that diving in Pemba during August will be rather dull. This is as there are likely to be high winds restricting diving to the shore based sites.

Any suggestions for top place to dive in August unfortunately Red Sea and Maldives are off the list as we have visited them to recently.

Thanks

Depends what you want to see.

Best Value is Manado/Lembeh & Senghi Islands.

Dubai, Oman area is very nice too.

Seychelles is full of Whalesharks, but viz until Septembember is not too clever.

I have dived Pemba in September and the Viz was really variable. The East side was better but at the time you're talking I think it would be too blowy for them to take you there.

The macro life is pretty interesting and quality of the reefs is excellent in some areas.

Zanzibar diving for me has always been a bit so-so. I have been to zanzibar three times - the first in 96 and the last in 2002. It is becoming very touristy and much less of the adventure that it was before but the old world charm persists. I just wouldn't go for the diving. Pemba feels much like Zanzibar did 10 years ago and is much more laid back.

The week before I went to Pemba people on the liveaboard I was on were snorkelling with a Humpback.

I'd take the chance because the topside is great and the diving can be too.

Thanks for all the info guys. I am trying to hit a moving target with the honeymoon trip as the brief keeps being updated. The latest destinations that seem to fit are Sabah, Borneo (diving in Sipidan and wildlife spotting in Sabahs rainforests) or Madagascar (lemurs and chameleons for the wildlife and not too sure about the diving you may have seen my new post) I read Cybergoldfish's piece on Aldabra and it sounded good and I have dived off the coast of Mozambique which was also excellent.

I think you should postpone the wedding so it coincides with optimum diving

Sabah is great for wildlife, so too Sulawesi and there's always Komodo!

I have tried the postponing trick and also suggested a break between the marriage and the honeymoon but to no avail. Sabah is the hot favourite at the moment but I as I have been changing continents faster than concorde (used to) who knows where we will end up.

We are considering Mafia Island or Pemba in late June. Any thoughts?

Can you do a "Concrete Shoe Diving" Speciality on Mafia Island ;-)