Sand Banks

Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania30 m maxbeginner

Conditions & tides

Satellite view of Sand Banks

Sand BanksMnemba Island

Fair · 4/5

© Esri

conditions visualisation

Fair4/5

Some chop right now — best window today 6 AM–7 PM.

Wind9 kn E

Current~0.6 kn NW · model

Swell

0.7 m · 6s · ESE

Water

28 °C

Max depth

30 m

Conditions through the day

5 AM8 PM

Calmest current near slack — 09.30 & 21.30 local

Sunrise 05.55 · Sunset 18.16 local

Show details

Tide · local

Outlook — select a day for full conditions

On-face swell 0.6 m — the component of the swell aimed at this site’s exposed face. Current is a regional model value (Copernicus, ~9 km grid) — a guide to the area, not a precise reef measurement. Imagery © Esri · not depth or visibility.

Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model

Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.

Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?

About this site

Sand Banks is a colourful dive in the Mnemba area of Zanzibar, running from 6 to 30 m with mild to strong current. Soft corals are colourful and the small caves hold plenty of surprises. It is a site for macro life, and you are surrounded by schools of fish. The dive finishes in a school of batfish.

Blue-spotted stingrays, giant Spanish dancers, blue ribbon eels and nudibranchs are the specialities, and eagle rays, frogfish, seahorses and snappers are also seen. Less experienced divers can stay shallow. Water temperature is 24 to 29°C.

AI-written site guide

Marine life here

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

StingrayStingrayReported here · unconfirmed
Skunk AnemonefishAmphiprion akallopisosReported here · unconfirmed
Geometric MorayGymnothorax griseusReported here · unconfirmed
Spinner DolphinStenella longirostrisReported here · unconfirmed
Three-spot DascyllusDascyllus trimaculatusReported here · unconfirmed
Indo-Pacific Sergeant MajorAbudefduf vaigiensisReported here · unconfirmed
Guineafowl PufferArothron meleagrisReported here · unconfirmed
Blacklip ButterflyfishChaetodon kleiniiReported here · unconfirmed
Loch's ChromodorisChromodoris lochiReported here · unconfirmed
NudibranchNudibranchConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Eagle rayEagle rayConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
FrogfishFrogfishConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Pacific TrumpetfishAulostomus chinensisReported here · unconfirmed
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutusReported here · unconfirmed
BatfishBatfishConfirmed present · 4 independent sources
SeahorseSeahorseConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
SnapperSnapperConfirmed present · 4 independent sources

Diver notes

Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.

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Nearby dive sites

Turtle ReefMnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania0.9 km The Small WallMnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania1.6 km KichuaniMnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania1.7 km WattabomiMnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania2 km Turtle ReefTanzania2.2 km AquariumMnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania2.5 km

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