Full-day snorkeling trip to Mnemba Atoll from Stone Town

Highlights

• Observe the best fish in the Indian Ocean
• Spot lionfish, moray eels, stingrays, turtles, and more
• Professional guide to answer your questions about marine life

All about the trip

Don't feel sad if you're not a diver! A snorkeling trip to Mnemba Island will definitely satisfy all your wishes to experience a magical underwater world! Mnemba provides the snorkeler with the opportunity to view the best fish the Indian Ocean has to offer. A marine reserve, well known for its fish life like lionfish, moray eels, stingrays, and turtles swimming around in the shallows. Venture further out the reef drops away into a big reef wall inhabited by schools of giant trevally and emperor fish hunting, yellow snappers, barracuda, and if possible napoleon fish and turtles. The snorkeling trips are accompanied by an experienced guide who will help you find the fish, answer any questions you have about them, and ensure you are safe and comfortable.

You reach Mnemba Island by boat, mainly from Nungwi, which is a 1,5-hour drive from Stone Town. It takes about twenty minutes to reach the snorkeling spot from Nungwi. Mnemba Island is a privately owned island with access restricted to guests of the Luxurious and Beyond Mnemba Island. Tour guides will drop you off directly at the reef, which lies a few hundred yards from the small island. Full-day tours (approx. 9:00 to 16:00) generally include a single snorkeling stop at Mnemba, as well as a lunch break on a nearby beach and a chance to spot dolphins. You will have no trouble booking an excursion on the island. You enter the water from the boat: follow your guide’s instructions.

Mnemba Island is surrounded by an oval reef measuring several miles in diameter, and which is called by some (mistakenly) Mnemba Atoll. Most tour guides will drop you off in the area near the island, famous for its sea beds. The depth of the water is the same in all the reef areas (2-4 m). You will find yourself above a reef of varying quality (some areas are wonderfully preserved, while others seem damaged by the area’s high visitor numbers). The reef is protected and fishing is forbidden, so the density of fish here is higher than in many other places in Zanzibar. In turn, you will come across shoals of dozens of Moorish idols, snappers, clownfish in their anemones, and a host of other species. On the sea bed, look ours for blue starfish, Red-knobbed starfish, or the fearsome crown-of-thorns starfish, a poisonous, coral-eating species. Green turtles can occasionally be seen at this spot since they go to the island’s beaches to lay their eggs at certain times of the year.

Access to Mnemba Island is strictly reserved for guests at the hotel. If you set foot on the beach, you run the risk of paying a large fine. In any case, the island coast guards will warn you if you go within 200 meters of the shore. This is the most popular snorkeling spot in Zanzibar and dozens of boats go there each day. Watch out for other snorkelers and swimmers when you are in the water.

What is included in the price

• Experienced professional tour guide
• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in a private car
• All entrances fees, taxes, fuel surcharges, and service fees included
• Seafood lunch features Zanzibar flavors
• Snacks and fruits
• Boat and snorkeling gear (life jacket, mask, and flippers)
• Transport waiting charge
• Fast responsive ambulance services
• Emergency medical crew
• Handling for medical evacuation

What is not included in the price

• Medical Insurance if needed
• Gratuities for tour guide
• International and domestic flights
• Visa fee (50 USD / 100 USD for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)
• Airport/departure tax
• Personal expenses

Instructions

A vegetarian lunch option is available, please advise us at the time of booking if required.

Leave your valuables at the hotel, if possible.

Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions.

Bookings can only be accepted for persons under 15 years of age when accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for them.

COVID-19 CLEAN AND SAFE

All vehicles are disinfected regularly after each ride. We have established set protocols that we follow to make sure all of these high touch areas are disinfected in every vehicle. An emergency plan has been designed which can be followed in case of an outbreak. In the event that a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, we have action plans ready to implement. Medical support is available if required. Not all destinations have the same resources, so we anticipate the needs of our customers should they become ill.

General staff training is in place regarding new protocols to prevent the spread of Covid19.

This training is in various stages:

Initial: containing basic information about the illness, personal hygiene, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and departmental procedures.

Follow-Up: reinforces the basic points and any improvements made. Plus, follows up employees’ concerns and needs.

This activity is organised by Safanta Tours and Travel comp., Chukwani street, P.O.BOX 3651, Urban/West Region, Zanzibar, Tanzania, +255 778 856 362, info@safantatours.co.tz.