Mnemba Island, a small island laying off the northeastern coast of Zanzibar, is partially edged by a shallow coral reef. Listed as a marine reserve, Mnemba is the most popular snorkeling spot in Zanzibar. Moorish idols, palette surgeonfish, snappers and anemonefish are easy to spot at this location as they swim above a colorful, pretty display of corals.
This spot has been added by
aurelie
12 spots added - 314 photos shared
Other contributors
You can help us keep this page up-to-date by uploading your pictures to the photo gallery, or by sending us your comments via the contact form
Last updated on
How to get to the Mnemba Island snorkeling spot
Mnemba Island is reached by boat, mainly from Nungwi Beach and Muyuni pier. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the snorkeling spot from Muyuni pier, and 1 hour from Nungwi.
Mnemba Island is a private island with access restricted to guests of the sumptuous &Beyond Mnemba Island. Boats will drop you off directly at the reef, which lies a few dozen yards from the small island.
Full-day tours (approx. 9am to 3pm) generally include a single snorkeling stop at Mnemba, as well as a lunch break on a nearby beach and a chance to spot dolphins. The price is about $60pp., all-inclusive. Half-day tours, approx. 9am to 1pm, starts from $45pp. You will have no trouble finding a tour anywhere on the island.
Water entrance for snorkeling Mnemba Island
You will enter the water from the boat. Make sure to follow your guide’s instructions.
Mnemba Island’s reef snorkeling tips
The north coast of Mnemba Island is bordered by a long shallow coral reef, less than a mile in length. It is in this area, renowned for its (relative) coral health and its underwater visibility, that you will be dropped off.
The depth is constant in the whole snorkeling area (↕6-16ft). You will snorkel above a reef that is, overall, very pretty. Some areas of the reef are healthier than others. In very shallow depths, the coral is in poor condition. As the reef is protected and fishing is prohibited here, the density of fish is higher than in many other spots in Zanzibar.
Hundreds of Indo-Pacific sergeants and scissortail sergeants swim around the boats, frequently fed by the guides. A few palette surgeonfish, aka Dory, like to swim among them.
During your reef exploration, you will encounter schools of dozens of Bengal snappers, Moorish idols, clownfish in sea anemones, powder blue tang, as well as a multitude of other species.
On the seafloor, you may spot a blue sea star, a red-knobbed starfish, or even a crown-of-thorns starfish, a venomous species that preys upon hard coral polyps. Occasionally, green sea turtles are spotted on this spot.
Landing on Mnemba Island is for the hotel’s guests only. Don’t get too close to the shore.
This spot is the busiest in Zanzibar and dozens of boats go there every day, so watch out for boats and other snorkelers.
Restaurants and accommodation on Mnemba Island
The only accommodation on the island is the sublime &Beyond Mnemba Island. Day tours generally include lunch.
Just make sure that they really bring you to the marine Resort. We hade major problems. They wanted to bring us to a dead reef close by. Probably you need a special permit. So better go with a good Company like “one ocean” for example and not with the beach boys.