Bawe Island - North

★★★★☆ (170)

The island Bawe is just off the coast of Stone Town, and it is our go-to reef. Bawe North is a really nice continuous coral wall teeming with life.

Cuttle-fish, moray eels and seahorses hide in the blue sponges, rainbow runners and longfin batfish cruise by in the blue. Blue spotted stingrays, torpedo rays can be found in the sand

Dive Activity

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
9 Sightings
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1
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M
1
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0
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A
3
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
6 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
0
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0
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0
J
2
A
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O
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
3 Sightings
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M
2
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0
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A
1
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0
O
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N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
3 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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2
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0
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0
Alamy-National Geographic Creative

Leatherback Turtle
2 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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1
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
2 Sightings
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0
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1
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N
1
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
2 Sightings
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1
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1
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0
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
1 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
Alamy/BIOSPHOTO

Ocean Sunfish
1 Sightings
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1
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N
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
12 Sightings
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1
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2
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0
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3
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2
O
1
N
1
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Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
11 Sightings
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2
F
3
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0
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0
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2
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0
J
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A
2
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0
O
1
N
1
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
10 Sightings
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1
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3
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0
J
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A
2
S
0
O
1
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
10 Sightings
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2
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2
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0
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0
A
2
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0
O
1
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
8 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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0
A
1
S
3
O
0
N
3
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
7 Sightings
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1
F
1
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0
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0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
1
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
7 Sightings
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1
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0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
6 Sightings
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1
F
2
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0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
1
N
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
6 Sightings
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1
F
1
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0
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
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A
1
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
6 Sightings
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1
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2
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0
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3
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
6 Sightings
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2
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0
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2
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1
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
5 Sightings
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2
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2
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1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
5 Sightings
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1
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0
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3
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0
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A
1
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
5 Sightings
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2
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2
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
5 Sightings
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1
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2
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2
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
4 Sightings
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0
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2
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0
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1
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1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
4 Sightings
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0
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2
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0
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O
1
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1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
4 Sightings
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1
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1
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1
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1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
3 Sightings
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2
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1
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
3 Sightings
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2
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0
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0
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O
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1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
3 Sightings
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0
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1
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0
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0
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1
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0
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0
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1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
3 Sightings
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1
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0
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2
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0
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0
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0
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
3 Sightings
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0
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0
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2
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0
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A
1
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0
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
3 Sightings
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1
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1
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0
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1
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Alamy-Nature Photographers Ltd

Skate Fish
2 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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0
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1
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0
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0
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O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
2 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
O
1
N
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
2 Sightings
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1
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0
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1
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0
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0
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
2 Sightings
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2
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0
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
2 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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1
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0
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
2 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

k

Cornetfish
2 Sightings
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1
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1
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0
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N
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0
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
2 Sightings
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0
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0
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M
1
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0
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0
O
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N
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D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Cuttlefish
2 Sightings
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2
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0
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iStock-atese

Ribbon Moray Eel (Ghost Eel)
2 Sightings
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0
F
1
M
0
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0
M
1
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0
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0
Alamy-WaterFrame

Common Seahorse
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1
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Alamy-WaterFrame

Spiny Seahorse
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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M
1
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0
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

iStock-deraugenzeuge

Snake Eel
1 Sightings
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Shutterstock-Greg Amptman

Wolf Eel
1 Sightings
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0
F
1
M
0
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0
M
0
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0
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0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.

Flounder
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
M
1
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0
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0
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0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
A
0
M
1
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0
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A
0
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0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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N
1
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
1 Sightings
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0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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N
0
D
0
Alamy-Water Frame

Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 125

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Gurnards
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
1 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
N
0
D
1
SSI-Peter-Schinck

Leaf Scorpionfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
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0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

One Ocean Zanzibar

PO BOX 3182, 1448 Zanzibar, Tanzania, United Rep.

Bawe Diving Center

Bawe Island, 1111 Zanzibar, Tanzania, United Rep.

Dive Sites Nearby

DiveTime Zanzibar, 73107 Zanzibar

One Palm (★4.4)

A 20-25 minute boat ride from Kizimkazi, this site is located on the southeast part of the island. The boat anchors near a plateau where the ocean is 6-8 meters deep, from where you swim down a steep slope with colorful coral. The maximum depth is 16-25 meters.
DiveTime Zanzibar, 73107 Zanzibar

Anemona City (★4.3)

Anemona City is only a 10-minute boat ride from Kizimkazi. The boat anchors are near a plateau about 4-5 meters deep. Swimming over the plateau we can already see many corals, small and large with abundant underwater life. We soon reach a slope where we go from 7 meters to a maximum of 15-17 meters.
DiveTime Zanzibar, 73107 Zanzibar

Abbas reef (★4.2)

Only 5-10 minute boat ride from Kizimkazi, this reef is perfect for beginners but also plenty to see for more advanced divers. It is a small reef with very healthy, beautiful corals, abundant underwater life.
Mares

Pange North (★4.4)

This is one of our absolute favourite dive sites. It’s a gently sloping bottom, with beautiful coral formations and big fans. This is also our favourite night dive spot.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

The Great Northern (★4.4)

A British cable-laying ship, The Great Northern was built in 1870 and sank on New Year’s Eve in 1902. She now rests in the sand between 4 and 12 m and is a magnificent artificial reef.
Aqualung

Bawe South (★4.6)

The island Bawe just off the coast of Stone Town, is our go-to reef. Bawe South it’s a long shallow reef stretches the whole side of the island, ideal for snorkellers and beginner divers. Deeper we can find big coral bommies, interchange with sandy patches on which huge barrel sponges grow.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Coral Garden (★4.4)

A nice coral drop off that, from the surface, goes to 15 meters maximum depth. On the bottom there is a long sandy plateau. Good spot for beginner levels and training.
Aqualung

Turtle Reef (★4.4)

This place is formed by a coral reef that, from the surface, descends very gently in the water. The environment is formed by many species of hard corals of different shapes and colors.
Mares

Coral Garden Reef (★4.3)

This site is formed by a coral reef that, from the surface, decreases very gently into the water. The environment is formed by many species of hard corals of different shapes and colors.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Mnemba Sandbanks (★4.3)

This place is formed by a coral reef that, from the surface, decreases very gently in the water. The environment is formed by many species of hard corals of different shapes and colors.
Mares

Small Wall, Mnenba Island (★4.4)

Small Wall is a huge coral reef that starts at the surface and reaches to 50 meters of depth. It is a great spot for all levels of divers, from OWD to the XR addict! Around 30 meters there is a second drop off where colorful corals and gorgonians create a very captivating environment.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Kichwani (★4.4)

Kichwani is the most popular dive site in Mnemba. It is formed by a big coral reef that starts from the surface and goes to 30 meters depth. The reef is formed by a good mixture of hard and soft corals of different colors. Don’t miss the glassfish shelter at 25 meters!
Mares

Shetani / Three Turtles (★4.0)

This site is a small wall descending from 5 meters to 18 meters maximum. There are pinnacles of coral, both hard and soft, with many small coral fish in amazing shades of color.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Wattabomi (★4.2)

Very easy dive made by different pinnacles at a shallow depth. The pinnacles are formed by different species of hard corals with soft corals and anemones throughout. Following these formations, you can find a coral drop off down to 25 meters.
Mares

Aquarium (★4.2)

This dive site is formed by a coral drop off that starts at 15 meters deep. For this reason divers should be at least advanced certified to dive here. Follow the reef to find two big formations of Turbinaria full of amazingly active fish life.
Mares

Groupers Rocks, Mnemba Island (★4.3)

A wonderful drop off that starts at 12 meters forms this site. There is a huge mixture of different species of hard and soft corals, with big colorful sponges that are living on it.
Mares

Tumbatu Lagoon (★4.1)

Tumbatu Lagoon has an average depth of 2 – 18m. The Magic Island in the North of Zanzibar, a wall of corals cover the west side of Tumbatu Island with the most healthy and colorful coral reef in Zanzibar!
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Seahorse (★4.1)

This dive starts on a big seagrass area in shallow water. It is possible to reach the deeper depths following the coral formations. You many big tube sponges at this site.
Scubapro

West Gardens (★4.4)

One of the most famous snorkeling site in Mnemba, with its 5 meters maximum depth, it offers the possibility to appreciate the marine life in a unique way. The environment is formed by hard coral pinnacles.
Mares

HauntedWall / Ras Misikitini (★4.2)

Small walls from 5 metres to 18 metres where you can find hard and soft coral. This site is unique for the small wall and offers great visibility and nice temperatures.
Mares

Jackfish Alley (★4.6)

One of the most beautiful dive sites in the Mnemba area. A huge drop off starting from 24 meters goes to 60 meters more or less. The particularity of this site is a fantastic cavern at 35 meters always full of different species of fish.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

The Big Wall (★4.4)

One of the most suggestive dives of the area, with a huge drop off that goes from 25 meters and reaches at least 60 meters depth. On the wall are present many little caves that create a very particular environment.
Divine Diving Zanzibar, 73107 Zanzibar

Leon’s Wall (★4.2)

Leon’s Wall is a beautiful unspoiled reef, covered with soft corals and sponges with depths ranging from 12-40 meters. You can avoid the crowds at this dive site, while you enjoy all kinds of marine life.
Divine Diving Zanzibar, 73107 Zanzibar

Misoli Reef (★4.3)

Misoli Reef averages from 12 to 40 meters deep. It has a large coral island located in a big area of white sand, typical to Zanzibar. Fish life is less abundant here compared to other sites, but many nudibranchs and other small critters can be found, making it a treasure for photographers and macro life lovers.