Mnemba Island Snorkelling and Dolphin Trip from Kendwa

Overview

This is the classic Mnemba snorkelling trip from the north coast of Zanzibar for anyone staying in Kendwa or Nungwi. A motorboat collects you from the beach in front of your hotel and cruises east along the coast, where pods of wild dolphins are often seen and, when conditions allow, you can swim near them under the guide's instructions. The boat then anchors over the coral gardens of the Mnemba Atoll marine conservation area for snorkelling among tropical fish, and finishes on the white sandbank near Mnemba when the tide is low. Snorkelling gear, life jackets, fresh fruit, soft drinks and the marine conservation fees are included. It is a shared small-group trip with an English-speaking guide; an afternoon departure is also on the booking panel.

Highlights

• Search for wild bottlenose and spinner dolphins along the north coast
• Snorkel the coral reef of the Mnemba Atoll conservation area
• Colourful reef fish, corals and sometimes turtles in clear turquoise water
• Relax on the disappearing sandbank near Mnemba at low tide
• Fresh seasonal fruit, soft drinks and water on board
• Mask, fins, snorkel and life jackets provided
• Beach pickup in front of your hotel in Nungwi or Kendwa
• Back by early afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free

Itinerary

1. Beach pickup in Kendwa or NungwiThe boat collects you from the beach in front of your hotel from about eight in the morning, depending on your location; guests from elsewhere meet at the Nungwi beach meeting point.
2. Dolphin search along the coastCruise east looking for pods of wild dolphins and, when conditions allow, swim near them with the guide; about one hour.
3. Snorkelling at Mnemba AtollAnchor over the reef and snorkel among corals and tropical fish with the guide; about one hour.
4. Sandbank or beach breakLand on the Mnemba sandbank at low tide, or a nearby beach at high tide, for fruit, soft drinks, a swim and photos; about forty-five minutes.
5. Return to Kendwa or NungwiCruise back along the coast and drop-off at the beach nearest your hotel at around half past twelve; about forty-five minutes.

What's included

• Beach pickup and drop-off in Nungwi or Kendwa
• Boat transport
• English-speaking guide
• Snorkelling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel) and life jackets
• Fresh seasonal fruit, soft drinks and water
• Mnemba Atoll marine conservation fees

Not suitable for

• Pregnant women
• People with motion sickness
• People over eighty years
• Visually impaired people
• Non-swimmers who are not comfortable in open water, even with a life jacket

Meeting point

Pickup is from the beach directly in front of your hotel in Nungwi or Kendwa; the boat comes to the shore and the exact time, usually between eight and half past eight in the morning, is confirmed on WhatsApp the day before. Please be on the sand a few minutes early with your swimwear on under your clothes. Guests staying outside Nungwi and Kendwa meet the group at the Nungwi beach meeting point or can ask us to arrange a taxi.

Important information

• Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, a change of clothes and a waterproof bag for your phone
• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses: there is little shade on the boat and none on the sandbank
• A rash vest or T-shirt protects your back while snorkelling
• Mnemba Island is private; the boat stays in the atoll waters and does not land on the island
• The sandbank appears only at low tide; at high tide the fruit break moves to a nearby beach
• Dolphins are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed; swimming with them follows the guide's instructions
• Sea and tide conditions may change the order or length of the stops
• On the beach and in villages, cover shoulders and knees; swimwear is for the boat and the water only