Written by the Paramount Gorilla Expeditions team, based in Uganda, comparing diving and snorkeling in Zanzibar and the Seychelles.
Both destinations offer very good marine life, but in different styles. Zanzibar suits travellers who want accessible snorkelling and moderate diving from a lively beach base. The Seychelles suits those who want pristine, less-visited reefs and are happy to pay a premium for exclusivity.
Zanzibar
- Mnemba Atoll: the headline site off the north-east tip, a protected conservation area with good visibility, healthy coral and regular sightings of reef fish and turtles. It is an easy half-day trip from the northern beaches.
- Pemba Channel: more advanced, current-driven diving with wall dives and bigger fish, for experienced divers.
The Seychelles
- Sainte Anne Marine National Park near Mahé and Curieuse Marine National Park near Praslin offer easy, rewarding snorkelling.
- Outer islands and Aldabra: remote, pristine reef systems for travellers willing to make the journey. Aldabra access is very limited.
When to go
Conditions are generally best in the drier seasons, roughly June to October in Zanzibar and May to September in the Seychelles, but sources differ, so ask us for your dates. See the best time to visit Zanzibar and the Seychelles.
Our trips that include snorkelling
- Zanzibar 5 Days: Stone Town and the East Coast Reef, with a boat trip to the Mnemba Atoll marine area.
- Zanzibar 6 Days: Stone Town, Matemwe and the Ocean, with three nights near Mnemba.
- Seychelles 5 to 6 Days, with a day in Sainte Anne Marine National Park.
- Seychelles 7 to 8 Days, with a snorkel stop at St Pierre on the Curieuse boat trip.
Snorkeling tips for Zanzibar and the Seychelles
- Plan reef trips for the calmest part of your stay. In the Seychelles, April, May, October and November are often the calmest months.
- Use reef-safe sun protection, and do not stand on or touch coral.
- Ask about currents before swimming from a beach, as conditions vary by coast and season.
Plan it
If you dive, bring your certification and check insurance cover. See insurance, Zanzibar beyond the beach and the Seychelles island by island.
See also: Zanzibar in 4 days, Zanzibar in 5 days, Seychelles in 7 to 8 days and Seychelles in 9 to 10 days.
Plan snorkeling in Zanzibar and the Seychelles
Keep planning with our Seychelles holiday guide. The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism publishes official visitor information for the islands. Tourism Seychelles publishes official entry and visitor information. We confirm the current fees for your dates in every quote.
For steep reef walls and Misali Island, see our Pemba Island guide, and for whale sharks and a marine park, our Mafia Island guide.