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DiveMaxx is based in Bahari Beach Hotel, North of Dar Es Salaam. Offering PADI courses up to Divemaster level, Jens and Oddy, both very experienced divers and instructors, run a neat operation that tends to attract mainly local divers and hotel guests although all divers are welcome. For further details, contact divemaxx@twiga.com |
| Best time of year to dive | From October to February before the long rains in March. |
| Best sites dived | Ferns Wall, Big T, Mwamba |
| Visibility | October to February the vis averages between 20 - 25 metres obviously dependant on tides and winds. Algae Blooms are common and may last a week or so. |
| Dive Conditions |
Vary according to tides and weather. |
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This part of Dar Es Salaam is not by any means an idyllic holiday destination, more a stopover for pilots and businessmen. However, if travelling through the area, there are a number of memorable dive sites well worth a dip or two. Of particular note are 'Ferns Wall', which is on the seaward side of 'Fungu Yasin Reef', where you'll find large barrel sponges, gorgonian fans and 2m long whip corals. Often you'll see sharks here. Because of its depth this site is for advanced divers only. Another favorite is 'Mwamba', a coral field with stunning and pristine what can only be described as 'plains' of brain, rose and plate corals. Although slightly further out 'Big T' reef is popular for the experienced diver but only on a calm day. Latham Island, South west of Dar, is an area surrounded by deep water where big game fish and elusive schools of Hammerheads, can be found. It can only be dived with a very experienced skipper who knows the area. Ask Jens for details on how to dive here. DiveMaxx also take day dive trips to the south coast of Zanzibar to an area called Kizimkazi which is said to be fantastic diving. Resident pods of dolphins around Kizimkazi - see Zanzibar page for details on these dolphins. Unfortunately the impoverished coastal communities around Dar have until recently used dynamite fishing to harvest their fish. The government and local tourist offices will tell you that this practice has been stamped out, but whilst on a dive outside Dar we heard a dynamite explosion underwater. Although this has affected the coral and fish life badly, it seems there are neither the funds nor the inclination to properly stamp this out.
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