Water Sports in Zanzibar

Water Sports in Zanzibar

Water Sports in Zanzibar : Zanzibar is one of the most ideal destinations in the world to visit for water sports and this is due to the clear waters of the Indian Ocean around the island, Zanzibar is part an archipelago and one of the several islands off of the Tanzania coast. The island consists of many sites where water sports are done and one of them is the Mnemba Atoll Marine Park famous for its rich sea life and idyllic beach setting that one can enjoy and experience in different ways.
Zanzibar offers a variety of adventurous water sports such as fishing and diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, jet-skiing, kite boarding, dhow cruises and other water-based activities as explained more below.

1. Dhow cruise
A dhow cruise is a romantic activity to do in Zanzibar done in a dhow – a traditional one-masted wooden sailing boat with lanteen sails used for long distance trade and travel in the Indian Ocean.
A dhow cruise offers you an insight in the past times when dhows where the main means of transport at Zanzibar island, this memorable and romantic experience. Dhow Cruises are offered as Day Cruises and Sunset Cruises/evening Cruises, day cruises usually include a stop at a sandbank or outer island for lunch and swimming. Sunset or evening cruises are a romantic experience where you get scenic views of the sunset as it lights up the sky displaying beautiful fiery reds and warm oranges.

zanzibar dhow cruise

2. Wake –boarding and water Skiing
Zanzibar is an ideal destination for Adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers from all over the world, the waters of Zanzibar (sea of Zanzibar) are calm for the most period of the year making the island an exciting destination for water sports including wake-boarding and water skiing.
Wake-boarding and water skiing are operated by several companies, these companies have powerful speedboats which produce perfect rides which are flexible to all levels. Skis are suitable for beginners and to improve your skills you can be given pointers.
Wake-boarding and water skiing are done through Zanzibar particularly on the North Coast.

zanzibar boarding and water Skiing

3. Kite Surfing
Zanzibar is a paradise for kite surfing and this is due to the island’s virtually untouched crystal clear, tropical shallow waters, lagoons and bays. There are two powerful winds blowing through Zanzibar island that are the Kusi and Kaskazi, these winds provide ideal conditions for Kite surfing.
The shallow blue waters, sandy bottoms and constant winds make Zanzibar and ideal place for surfing to beginners and more experienced surfers, what makes surfing a more thrilling activity is that it is easy to learn, safe and exciting to all people of different ages and abilities. In Zanzibar, the reed is far out making the first part of the area to be to be flat water which is perfect for beginners and freestylers.
For a kite Surfing experience, you get to ride on a small surfboard propelled across the waters by a large kite and glide smoothly over turquoise waters with huge stretches of white sand beaches a head of you.
Kite Surfing is dependent on wind power and the best month for this activity are December – March and June – September.

4. Scuba Diving
Zanzibar is listed among one of the best diving spots in the world, the island boosts incredible thriving coral reefs which are teeming with marine life including over 450 species of fish. Zanzibar is endowed with very attractive diving site with most of the diving schools operating on PADI, or SSI and very few on NUI.
The diving companies in Zanzibar have the capacity to accommodate up to 60 divers at a time varying from open water courses to dive master. The depth of water where Scuba diving is done is in the order of 12 meters – 120 meters, drift and deep dives. During this experience, you will be able to spot various marine life species such as octopus, moray eel, dolphins among others.
The most attractive scuba diving spots in Zanzibar are

scuba diving in zanzibar

5. Snorkeling
Zanzibar is an ideal destination for snorkeling with Mnemba Atoll situated in the beautiful Mnemba Marine Reserve being the best famous spot for this activity, this area is well known for its fish life such as lion fish, moray eels, stingrays and turtles which you will see and swim around with in the shallows.
In Zanzibar there are three different places to do snorkeling, another place to do snorkeling is Tumbatu Island. What makes Zanzibar a haven for snorkeling is that it can be done all year round as the visibility and conditions are the same throughout the year. During Snorkeling in Zanzibar, snorkelers will be able to see emperor fish hunting, yellow snappers, barracuda and the napoleon fish and turtles if you are lucky as you venture further out the reef drops away into a big wall.

snorkeling in Snorkeling

6. Kayaking
Kayaking is a thrilling water sport to do on the calm waters of Zanzibar, this activity is done in a little boat under your own steam using a paddle. Kayaking offers you an opportunity to the sea and many remarkable coastal areas, during the excursion you will be able to find untouched beaches.
Kayaking is a two man boats giving an intimate experience to enjoy together with your partner, it can also be done as a single person if you fancy a bit of privacy.

7. Parasailing
Parasailing is one of the most thrilling activities to enjoy in Zanzibar, this activity offers the best views of Zanzibar from the sky – that is from 300 meters in the air where you will be able to see the brilliant colors of the coral reefs around the island, white beaches of Kendwa and Nungwi that are surrounded by tropical trees.
On this experience, you will have a chance to fly like a bird and defy gravity. This activity is a perfect adventure to individuals aged from 8 to 80 years old.

parasailing in Zanzibar

8. Jet Skiing
Jet skiing is a thrilling water activity ideal for adventurous travelers who need to enjoy sweet views of the island, this activity is a long time fun whether riding solo or on a 2-seat jet ski.
Note: if you are driving your own jet ski, you are advised to follow the guide.

zanzibar jet skiing.

9. Fly boarding
Fly boarding is a newly introduced water spot in Zanzibar, this activity is regarded as one of the best water activities on the island offering a chance of moving underwater like a dolphin or rising out and hovering many meters above the sea like a rocket man.

10. Banana boat rides
Banana boat ride is a thrilling activity to do in Zanzibar, this fun filled activity is done is a banana boats (inflatable and unpowered recreational boat meant to be towed). The banana boats are of different models accommodating 3-8 people per ride, during this activity you get to enjoy the thrill of bumping and bouncing across the hot ocean together with your friends or loved ones.

11. Stand up paddling
Stand up paddling is a super fun water activity to do in Zanzibar, this activities is best done on the mid and high tide when the water is deep enough to paddle. Stand up paddling is best done lagoons of Paje, this activity is easy to learn, fun and is best at training your core balance. Stand up paddling is best done during hot days with little or no wind.

Zanzibar standup paddling

12. Whale shark encounter
Zanzibar is teeming with wildlife and whales are one of them thus offering breathtaking shark encounter, the best place to see in the sharks in Zanzibar is the Mnemba Atoll a marine reserve and conservation place. The Mnemba Atoll is also one of the top regions for diving in Zanzibar.

whale shark experience in Zanzibar