|
ISLAND DIVE SITES:
The Canyon (Depth: 14
to 38 metres): Reef with steep walls and overhangs with covering of Whip
corals, Green-tree corals and Gorgonian sea fans. Napoleon wrasse,
Honeycomb rays, Kingfish and Barracudas are residents, as well as
Blacktip reef sharks.
Bird Rocks-Massundju (Depth: 12
to 30
metres): Located on the south side of Quilalea island, this coral reef
is in excellent condition and is regularly frequented by dplphins.
Slipway
(Depth: 16 metres): An exciting drift dive, the channel is usually dived
on a rising or falling tide. Juvenile fish hide amongst soft corals, and
seagrass fields and shallow coral ridges make an ideal snorkelling area.
Two-Mile Reef
(Depth: 6 to 21 metres): Well-known for its excellent snorkelling inside
the reef and for excellent dives on the outside edge.
Rainbow Runner Reef
(Depth: 25 metres): This is a blue-water dive, where divers concentrate
on watching the open water above the reef for Mantas, Eagle rays, Potato
and Brindle bass, Kingfish, Rainbow runner and Zambezi (Bull) sharks.
There is an impressive collection of Green-tree and Whip corals.
Unicorn's Reef
(Depth: 26 metres): A long reef of approximately 200 metres with
varieties of corals and fish species including Emperor angelfish, Mimic
filefish, Redfang triggerfish, Bannerfish (Coachmen), Unicornfish,
Bullethead parrotfish, snapper and jobfish.
Neptune's Nursery
(Depth: 8 to 15 metres): Hard coral reef offering protection for a wide
variety of fish, and a hunting ground for game fish. Hard corals form
intricate structures to explore and are home to schools of fusiliers,
snappers, juvenile Sweetlips, morays and Blue-spotted stingrays. Ribbon
eels and nudibranchs are also found here.
Medjunbe Passage
(Depth: 18 to 40 metres): North of Medjumbe island lies a channel
approximately 800 metres deep and 7km wide called the Medjumbe Passage.
The channel is flanked by a vertical wall to the south which plunges
from 16 metres to the depths below, decorated with giant Gorgonians.
There are numerous overhangs and ledges to explore, home to groupers,
Sweetlips, Napoleon wrasse, turtles and sharks.
The Far Side (Depth:
9 to 23 metres): Across the Medjumbe Passage is a large fringing reef,
exposed at low tide. The sloping walls are covered with a variety of
hard corals, and Hawksbill and Green turtles, Leaf fish and other
species can be found amongst the outcrops and overhangs.
Napoleon Wrasse Reef
(Depth: 40 metres): Running along the edge of a drop-off from 26 to 40
metres. Fan corals can be found from 35 metres and schools of Moorish
idols, Copper sweeper, butterfly fish and Yellow-back fusiliers are
prevalent. Coral groupers and Napoleon wrasse frequent the reef.
MAINLAND DIVE SITES:
The Gap (Depth: 12
to 16 metres): Dived from the mainland, the Gap is in an area
approximately 15 minutes south of Pemba Beach Hotel where the
continental shelf meets land resulting in an almost sheer drop from 12
metres to between 80 and 120 metres. Look out for big game fish.
Farroll Ledge
(Depth: 6 to 16 metres): Sited off the Ponta Maunhane lighthouse, the
reef consists of a ledge covered with corals and varieties of reef fish.
It is a long reef and can be done in a couple of different dives.
Baobab Rocks (Depth:
18 metres): A string of boulders and rocks lying on a sandy slope,
attracting an abundance of marine life, including Crocodile fish.
Whipcoral Garden
(Depth: 15 metres): A cluster of underwater hills covered in Whip coral
and varieties of soft corals and Barrel sponges. A good site to dive
when bad weather prevents going outside the bay.
Pyro Banks (Depth: 5
to 15 metres): In the same area as the Gap, this shallow dive is home to
a variety of Coral razorfish and Paperfish. There is also a cleaning
station attended by Hinged-beaked shrimps.
WATER CONDITIONS: Visibility averages
15 to 30 metres. Water temperature ranges from 24oC - 28oC.
Diving is year-round but best conditions are from April to September.
|
