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The small triangular island of Mnemba rises from a larger coral that is preserved as a marine conservation area off the northeast coast of Zanzibar. Fringed by a beautiful swimming beach, Mnemba Island is home
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to a sumptuous private lodge that accepts overnight guests only. By contrast, Mnemba Atoll is accessible to all and a popular destination for day trips from Zanzibar Island. Either way, whether you stay on Mnemba Island or visit the atoll for the day, the snorkeling and diving are wonderful and there’s a chance of seeing marine giants such as whales, dolphins and turtles.Staying on Mnemba Island
Mnemba Island is leased exclusively to one of East Africa’s most prestigious and idyllic ‘barefoot luxury’ beach lodges. This is &Beyond Mnemba Island, whose 12 spacious and beautifully designed beach bungalows resemble and are
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made entirely from sustainable local materials. A maximum of 26 overnight guests can be accommodated at this island retreat, and no day visitors are allowed.&Beyond Mnemba Island combines an informal tropical beach vibe with a wonderful setting and superb service and amenities. The white sandy beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and it’s not unusual to see dolphins and whales swim past. There is a private dive school, activity center and wellness spa. Weather permitting, you can also enjoy drinks and candlelit seafood dinners on the beach, with the Indian Ocean lapping at your feet.Diving & Snorkeling the Mnemba Atoll
Mnemba Island is the most prominent feature of a long submarine coral reef that ranks as Zanzibar’s most popular diving and snorkeling site. The coral here comes in an array of strange shapes and dazzling colors,
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and it provides refuge to swirling shoals of reef dwellers including , and . More bizarre creatures that haunt the reefs include , , and .Snorkelers visiting Mnemba will head to one of several shallow coral gardens close to the island. Divers are usually taken to deeper outlying reefs where they are likely to encounter larger marine creatures such as , and . Either way, exploring Mnemba’s underwater world is an unforgettable experience.Dolphins, Whales & Other Marine Wildlife
Most of the action on a diving or snorkeling trip to Mnemba takes place underwater, but visitors are likely to see some larger marine creatures from the boat. Commonly seen throughout the year, schools of
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often swim and play in the wake of boats. are migratory visitors and most likely to be seen breaching, tail slapping or spouting from June to September.More occasional visitors to Mnemba include Blainville’s beaked whale, , , , and . might be seen swimming past with their heads poking above the water, while , and other marine birds often fly past.How To Get to Mnemba
If you’re staying at &Beyond Mnemba Island, the lodge will arrange a pickup from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport or Stone Town. From there, you will be transferred by road to Muyuni Beach, a 50km/31mi drive
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that takes up to 1½ hours. Muyuni lies right opposite Mnemba and the boat transfer shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes.Diving and snorkeling day trips to Mnemba can be arranged through almost any operator or hotel on Zanzibar. Some of these boat excursions start at Muyuni, following a road transfer. Operators in resort villages such as Matemwe, Nungwi or Kendwa often sail directly to Mnemba rather than driving to Muyuni first.Best Time To Visit Mnemba
Like the rest of Zanzibar, Mnemba is best visited during the Dry seasons, which fall over January to February and June to October. These months offer the best weather if you want to spend time on