Hi everyone,
~ I am trying to decide between Blue Oyster on the east coast near Jambiani and Sanzani up north by Nungwi (also looking for review of their dive shop - Divemaxx)
~ I'm 35 and not into a place where people party all night long/trash the beach, but I hear Sanzani is away from the scene in Nungwi.
~ I am also female, travelling solo and want to meet people, go out, etc. and I'm afraid Jambiani may be too quiet or "romantic" (honeymooners and retirees (no offense!)...
~ I plan on diving @ Mnemba depending on visibility - anyone have past experience with diving this area around the last week of July?
~ also interested in hearing more about tides & seaweed at each beach...
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
happytrails2u
1
alpiner84
I stayed up North on Nungwi during the second week of July and it was just starting to get tourists. While I was there it was practically dead. I did, however, dive Mnemba, and it was outstanding! I had 30 m visibility, and have never seen as much as I did there. I dived with a company called East Africa Watersports, located right next to Jambo Brothers hostel (also recommend it), and they were a great company. The visibility was bad the first day, so I held out for the next one and it was perfect.
I don´t know about your other questions, sorry.
Have fun!
-Sarah-
2
africahead
I was involved in building Sazani beach from 1997-2000.It was originally named Salehes and is positioned in the most spectacular piece of coastline just on the East coast.Turtles used to nest outside my door and in the pioneering days was a little like Robinson Crusoe...cooking on wood,no transport,electric,phone or water,however now it has all of the above and is still an excellent peaceful place to visit,now run by Mike who is a very hospitable host and his staff (I visited in Feb this year)I have lost count of the dives off Mnemba,but it is a great spot always turtles and dolphins to be seen and the occasional whale shark.Best dive site is Leven bank...like being on some kind of trip... a myriad of fish.It is an easy 2k walk to Nungwi village,but these days a lift is no problem day or night.
3
stefo
If you want to dive Mnemba, you will have to go north (Nungwi or Kednwa) or north-east. It's a long way from Jambiani.
Jambiani and other east coast places are beautiful and have a great atmosphere, but at low tide there is no water to swim in. Also, your fear that it may be a bit too honeymoony for a single traveller, may well prove to be founded. For me the general rule always was - go north if you're on your own and wouldn't mind some company, go east if you either want to be on your own and bring a good book, or bring good company...
One of the best dive shops in Zanzibar is ScubaDo in Kendwa (north-west), from where they also dive Mnembaregularly from speed boats. Kendwa is a lovely beach, but you won't really find any seclusion, it has become quite party-ish recently, even though I still prefer it to the main drag places in Nungwi.
4
desk_jockey
I used One Ocean and was pleased. Dove with them one day in the reefs off Stone Town and one day at Mnemba. The reefs were nicer in Stonetown, but the large fish were impressive in Mnembe. They have a facility in a hotel in Matemwe Beach to access Mnemba. The hotel was high end, but I'm sure there are others in the area. One Ocean arrange the transport for me between their main office and the Matamwe location.
5
nurten
Come visit Jambiani ... where the people are so friendly you'll seldom be alone ...
"Jambo. Where you from? You want go snorkelling?"
"Jambo. Where you from? You want riding bicycle?"
"Jambo. Where you from? You want buying painting?"
"Jambo. Where you from? You want buying fruit?"
"Jambo. Where you from? You want massage?"
"Jambo. Pen for skoole?"
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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