Zanzibar dive centre
| country: | Zanzibar |
| location: | Pemba Island |
| price: | From US $305 - US $610 per person per night sharing, full board. Diving packages from US $100 - US $650 (details below). Transfers to/from airport US $40 per person one way. |
description
Our water sports centre is fully equipped and managed by our friendly & very experienced dive instructors. Pemba’s tranquil surroundings have a unique underwater experience difficult to find anywhere else in the world, gifted with a remarkable variety of untouched snorkelling & dive sites rarely visited by any other boats, including beautiful reefs and deep walls, all being patrolled by an amazing density of marine life and breathtaking fields of corals.
Misali Island is part of a conservation area; a non-extraction zone encompasses the north and western fringing reefs, and only a limited number of seasonal fishermen are permitted to camp on the island, within designated areas. As a result, the reefs are covered with incredibly pristine coral.
A US $10 marine park fee per marine park visitor per day is levied towards the running of this conservation area. Diving is done from our ‘big yellow’ dive boats, ex Royal Marines landing craft. Boat trips across to the island take approximately 30 minutes.
Our dives are predominantly drift dives and the sites are both gradually descending coral gardens with beautiful sandy areas and deep walls. The waters around Misali contain more than twice the number of coral genera than are found elsewhere in Tanzania, often seen are large table corals and fields of ancient cabbage corals. There are over 300 species of fish from colourful variety of bony fishes and macro life to regular sightings of schooling barracuda, giant trevallies and napoleon wrasse. With any luck you'll also see huge groupers, turtles, kuhl's- / blotched fantail- / Eagle- and Devil rays.
December to March sees mainly hot dry weather, June to October are traditionally cool and dry (circa 25’c). The rainy season arrives in April to May although this may be early or late and as a result may effect the months before or after. November also experiences sporadic heavy rain.
Water Temperature / Visibility
Early in the season (June) the temperature is 24’c and this rises over the season with improving weather. On average the temperature is between 27 – 28 ‘c.
The dive centre is stocked with 3mm full-length wetsuits which are commensurate for these waters. Average visibility ranges from 20 – 40 metres with the best viz later in the season. High tide produces the best visibility on a daily basis. As the majority of the diving is wall dives along pristine hard coral the viz in general is rarely disappointing.
Best Diving Months
Diving at Pemba is great all year round from June to March, excluding the rainy season in April and May. The changing monsoon wind affects the sea conditions which vary from rough to still depending on the month and does affect to the accessibility of some dive sites.
PADI Scuba Diver - US$400: A useful sub course of the Open Water Diver qualification, the PADI Scuba Diver course is specifically designed for those with time constraints taking three and a half days to complete. It consists of three theory lessons, three confined (shallow) water sessions and two open water dives. The certification allows the diver to dive to a depth of 12m under the supervision of a qualified dive leader.
PADI open water diver - US $650: The full entry level certification, this course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to become a confident diver, independent of an instructor’s supervision. Consisting of five theory classes, five confined water sessions, four open water dives and a final theory exam, this course takes five to six days to complete.
PADI open water diver referral - US $400: For all holiday makers we highly recommend this option, as it will allow you to complete your open water section of the PADI Open Water Diver course in only two days, while enjoying the pristine dive sites of Pemba Island. This means completing all your 5 confined water dives, 5 theory sessions and final exam prior to coming to the dive centre.
PADI open water advanced diver - US$500: This course follows on from the Open Water Diver. The course has always proved popular with guests; it’s highly recommended by the dive team and can be easily incorporated into a 3 day/6 dive pack. The course involves short theory sessions, 5 dives of the student’s choice from Underwater Navigation, Deep Diving and any three of these activities: Boat Diving, Drift Diving, Night Diving, Underwater Naturalist and Wreck Diving. Best of all, there are no exams!
Notes: All course prices include registration with PADI, tuition and equipment but exclude study materials. All dive prices include equipment, boat crew and dive master. We suggest that those who wish to learn to dive and have a short stay at the beach resort, contact their local PADI Dive Center to complete all their confined water dives, theory and exam prior to arriving. Ask your PADI Dive Center to give you a referral form and you will then be able to complete your open water section of the course while enjoying the view of our beautiful dive sites.
Qualified scuba divers are to please bring logbook and certification card. For those who wish to learn to dive, bring a current medical certificate stating that you are fit and healthy to take part in scuba diving.
Misali Island is part of a conservation area; a non-extraction zone encompasses the north and western fringing reefs, and only a limited number of seasonal fishermen are permitted to camp on the island, within designated areas. As a result, the reefs are covered with incredibly pristine coral.
A US $10 marine park fee per marine park visitor per day is levied towards the running of this conservation area. Diving is done from our ‘big yellow’ dive boats, ex Royal Marines landing craft. Boat trips across to the island take approximately 30 minutes.
Our dives are predominantly drift dives and the sites are both gradually descending coral gardens with beautiful sandy areas and deep walls. The waters around Misali contain more than twice the number of coral genera than are found elsewhere in Tanzania, often seen are large table corals and fields of ancient cabbage corals. There are over 300 species of fish from colourful variety of bony fishes and macro life to regular sightings of schooling barracuda, giant trevallies and napoleon wrasse. With any luck you'll also see huge groupers, turtles, kuhl's- / blotched fantail- / Eagle- and Devil rays.
diving information
Climate December to March sees mainly hot dry weather, June to October are traditionally cool and dry (circa 25’c). The rainy season arrives in April to May although this may be early or late and as a result may effect the months before or after. November also experiences sporadic heavy rain.
Water Temperature / Visibility
Early in the season (June) the temperature is 24’c and this rises over the season with improving weather. On average the temperature is between 27 – 28 ‘c.
The dive centre is stocked with 3mm full-length wetsuits which are commensurate for these waters. Average visibility ranges from 20 – 40 metres with the best viz later in the season. High tide produces the best visibility on a daily basis. As the majority of the diving is wall dives along pristine hard coral the viz in general is rarely disappointing. Best Diving Months
Diving at Pemba is great all year round from June to March, excluding the rainy season in April and May. The changing monsoon wind affects the sea conditions which vary from rough to still depending on the month and does affect to the accessibility of some dive sites.
diving packages
PADI discover Scuba Diving - US $100-US $120: An introduction into the world of diving, this course can be completed within a morning or an afternoon. It includes a brief theory lesson and shallow water familiarisation with equipment followed by a dive under the close supervision of an instructor.PADI Scuba Diver - US$400: A useful sub course of the Open Water Diver qualification, the PADI Scuba Diver course is specifically designed for those with time constraints taking three and a half days to complete. It consists of three theory lessons, three confined (shallow) water sessions and two open water dives. The certification allows the diver to dive to a depth of 12m under the supervision of a qualified dive leader.
PADI open water diver - US $650: The full entry level certification, this course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to become a confident diver, independent of an instructor’s supervision. Consisting of five theory classes, five confined water sessions, four open water dives and a final theory exam, this course takes five to six days to complete.
PADI open water diver referral - US $400: For all holiday makers we highly recommend this option, as it will allow you to complete your open water section of the PADI Open Water Diver course in only two days, while enjoying the pristine dive sites of Pemba Island. This means completing all your 5 confined water dives, 5 theory sessions and final exam prior to coming to the dive centre.
PADI open water advanced diver - US$500: This course follows on from the Open Water Diver. The course has always proved popular with guests; it’s highly recommended by the dive team and can be easily incorporated into a 3 day/6 dive pack. The course involves short theory sessions, 5 dives of the student’s choice from Underwater Navigation, Deep Diving and any three of these activities: Boat Diving, Drift Diving, Night Diving, Underwater Naturalist and Wreck Diving. Best of all, there are no exams!
Notes: All course prices include registration with PADI, tuition and equipment but exclude study materials. All dive prices include equipment, boat crew and dive master. We suggest that those who wish to learn to dive and have a short stay at the beach resort, contact their local PADI Dive Center to complete all their confined water dives, theory and exam prior to arriving. Ask your PADI Dive Center to give you a referral form and you will then be able to complete your open water section of the course while enjoying the view of our beautiful dive sites. Qualified scuba divers are to please bring logbook and certification card. For those who wish to learn to dive, bring a current medical certificate stating that you are fit and healthy to take part in scuba diving.
rooms, food and facilities
At our resort, we offer everything you need for a perfectly relaxing and peaceful holiday. Blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings, the resorts facilities are amongst the best in the region. From the open-sided restaurant, which offers outstanding international cuisine, to the three bars and beautiful new infinity pool, every comfort is complemented by the soothing ease and atmosphere of the resort itself.
The hotel's spa uses our own range of beautifully blended infusions that capture the unique magic of the location. A peaceful yoga platform overlooks the ocean.
The snug satellite TV room in tucked away in the heart of the hotel. There is a games balcony with both pool and darts and guests who need to stay in touch are able to use their roaming mobile phones.
We have 16 makuti thatched tented rooms - twelve are standard rooms, two are suites (which have large decks and private plunge pools) and two are Superior Suites (which have larger chill out areas, larger plunge pools, and room attendant service from 8am until 6pm)
Additional activities available at the dive centre include: snorkelling, trips to local conservation island Misali Island, dolphin safaris, catamaran, Dhow sunset cruises, village treks, spice tours, massages, spa treatments and yoga.
how to find us
When you arrive at the airport in Pemba, you will be met by our staff who will drive you to Mkoani port, where a boat will be waiting to take you on a short speedboat journey to the resort.
how this holiday makes a difference
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We strive to provide a high quality tourism facility which has a neutral or beneficial impact on the environment and a positive impact on the local community.
The hotel is constructed and run with the environment in mind. Our natural forest surrounds us, the wildlife is not interfered with in any way, and waste products are dealt with safely. We work closely with PECCA, the Pemba Channel Conservation Association, to monitor and protect our marine environment by ensuring that only sustainable fishing methods are followed in the designated marine conservation areas. We are delighted to live amongst the beauty of unspoiled Pemba and to share this place with our hosts the Pemban people, on whom we rely for the success of the hotel. We are continuously seeking ways to honour their culture and to respond to the requirements of the local community in a responsible manner. As well as employment opportunities and business partnerships, these requirements include clean water, primary education and basic healthcare, and this hotel has ongoing projects in all these areas. People visit us from all over the world; many see what we are achieving here and wish to contribute to our efforts. We are grateful for your donations to help us fund our projects, and we ask you to respect the cultural traditions of this island and to leave the environment untouched. Child illiteracy in the area was 100%. In 12 months from September 2004, individual guest and private hotel donations had raised $12,000 towards the school fund. The fund was controlled by the hotel management to ensure efficient and effective spend and a local foreman managed the construction using voluntary local labour. A VSO teacher trainer advised us on teaching materials, which were made by our employees, or brought by guests in response to our website request. The four teachers were given bicycles for transport, and uniforms were provided for pupils. In January 2006 the school opened for 95 pupils and 5 new classrooms trebled the capacity in January 2007, at a cost of $9,000. At the same time, we have put $6,000 into healthcare, changing 12 children’s lives with corrective surgery, to enable them to attend school. This education means that over 100 local families will have an opportunity to reduce their current levels of poverty. Pemba has a sensitive religious and political culture, due to little prior exposure to the developed world. The population is 98% Muslim. Letters outlining the cultural sensitivity are provided to guests on arrival at the hotel. We are the largest employer and the only hotel of note on Pemba Island which provides for the Pemban people. There is no other source of income for over 3,000 people except for that which the hotel provides. 95 of our 115 staff are Pembans, this is a policy. Each employee supports an estimated average of 10 extended family members. Therefore up to 1,000 people benefit directly from the hotel. We also have a loan fund of $2000 which is offered to staff for building houses, schooling for siblings, assisting sick relatives, etc. This year already 60 people have benefited from this.  To reduce the environmental impacts of the resort:Responsible Diving Practices We encourage all our divers to practice and to control their buoyancy in order to prevent touching any corals. Systematically during the buddy checks we advise our divers to streamline themselves not to have consoles hanging and dragging on the reef. There's a no touch -policy, where none of our divers nor guides, are allowed to touch any animals. Also feeding the fish is strictly prohibited. We do not allow anything to be brought up or collected from the dives or from Misali- or any other Island/beach we may visit. On an everyday basis we collect any trash we see left not only whilst diving but also from the beaches, and encourage our divers to do the same. All this naturally applies for snorkellers as well, for whom we provide a guide to offer additional information and also to set an example on how to behave on the reef. As our dives are done as drift dives, we don't hook the boat to the reef and when we do need to use an anchor, we'll find a sandy area to do so.  We like to set an example with our behaviour and also try to include a little bit of awareness to our briefings too. The groups (of divers) on our trips are small, in order to offer individual attention when needed, either to help our divers or to protect the reef. With dive planning, we take care to follow the limits set by our divers certification-, experience -and comfort level and also dive conservative profiles with respect to table- and computer limits, surface intervals and no flight time. It's also important that the divers themselves observe and judge their mental & physical state to be suitable for diving. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |