Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve: Day Trips and Tours from Zanzibar City

Unguja Island, on which Zanzibar City is situated, is surrounded by dazzling oceans, which are famed for their flourishing coral reefs and bountiful marine life. There is no place to experience the paradisiacal underwater world of the Indian Ocean better than at Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve.

Day trips to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve from Zanzibar City enable you to immerse yourself in a frenzy of exotic fish and graceful rays, providing excitement, and relaxation at the same time.

Here's all you need to know about the Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve, one of the most exciting day trips from Zanzibar City.

How to get to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve from Zanzibar City?

Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve is located just off the northeast tip of Unguja Island. It is approximately 50 kilometers from the island’s main tourist hub of Zanzibar City.

From Zanzibar City to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve by car

You can journey to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve by car for most of the way. You’ll travel in a northeasterly direction out of Zanzibar City, via Malawi Road, and cross the island to reach Matemwe Village, which takes around an hour. Here, you can charter a boat to take you across to the reserve.

Guided tour to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve from Zanzibar City

The most popular way to make the jaunt to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve is via a guided excursion. Your tour provider will take care of all transportation details, picking you up from your hotel on the morning of your trip. These tours last 3 to 7 hours and you can often choose from different time slots throughout the day.

What is the typical itinerary?

You’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Zanzibar City and make your way across the island by car or van. Upon arrival at Matemwe Beach, you’ll stretch your legs and board a boat to reach the protected marine area. During this time, you may scour the seas for dolphins, which your crew will gladly point out to you.

Once you reach the reserve, you’ll have free time to explore the waters at your leisure, with snorkeling equipment provided for you. Once you’ve finished, you’ll travel to a sandbank where you’ll either be served a snack of fresh fruits or a full meal, before returning to Zanzibar City.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve?

Snorkeling tour to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve from Zanzibar City

You’ll begin this Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve day trip by leaving Zanzibar City behind and driving through the breathtaking landscape of Unguja Island. Boarding a vessel, you’ll journey out onto to open seas to reach the protected marine reserve, where can slip under the waves for some snorkeling.

Here, you’ll find an underwater eden, brimming with a wealth of marine life, including scorpionfish, angelfish and batfish. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll enjoy a seafood feast before hopping back on your boat and traveling back to Zanzibar City.

Private dolphin watching and snorkeling tour to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve from Zanzibar City

On this private Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve and dolphin watching excursion from Zanzibar City, you’ll sail the Indian Ocean, looking out for the cetaceans that call this patch of sea home.

While sightings are not guaranteed, you can expect to catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the waves. You may also have the opportunity to spot the critically endangered humpback dolphin, of which there are only 1,500 left in the wild.

Reaching the reserve, you’ll spend time discovering the species that thrive in the mild waters before continuing on to a sandbank, where you’ll refresh yourself with juicy, local fruits.

How much does a day trip to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve from Zanzibar City cost?

Basic Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve day trips cost between US$90 and US$100 per adult, and last around 7 hours. Those between the ages of 13 and 17 benefit from a US$5 discount. Children aged between 5 and 12 can participate for US$50 each, while those under 5 travel for free.

When booking a private dolphin watching and snorkeling day tour to Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve, you must have a minimum of two adults in your party. While adults, classed as those aged 11 and over, will pay US$140 per person if staying in Zanzibar City, children between the ages of 2, and 10 will pay US$70 each.

You can select up to 15 guests and this tour lasts approximately 3 hours in total. A discounted rate of US$90 per adult is available for those staying in the Matemwe or Kigomani area.

What will you see and do?

The Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve surrounds the private Mnemba Island, which is inaccessible to all bar guests of its exclusive resort, owned by Bill Gates. However, the reef, which stretches over several kilometers, can be enjoyed by all visitors. There are over 600 species of coral reef fish that live in these waters, as well as larger creatures, such as whale sharks and bottlenose dolphins.

Humpback whales migrate to the area between July and September, and green sea turtles also nest on the surrounding beaches between February and September. Some of the species most commonly sighted on a Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve excursion are frogfish, jackfish and pufferfish.

When is the best time to visit Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve?

The best time to visit the Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve is between June and March. The drier, cooler season between June and October provides pleasant weather, with great visibility for snorkeling and diving, as well as spotting migrating humpback whales.

Travel tips

• The Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve location is popular, especially during the peak tourist season, so make sure you book your tour in advance.
• Bring sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle to protect against the sun and stay hydrated. Also consider a rash guard or wetsuit for snorkeling or diving.
• The Atoll is a conservation area, so respect local regulations. This means not feeding wildlife, sticking to designated areas and avoiding single-use plastics.