Snorkeling at Mnemba with dolphins and sea turtles

Dolphins swim alongside you in open water, not behind glass.

Snorkel Mnemba Island and the Mnemba Marine Conservation Area with a motorboat departure from Nungwi or Muyuni Beach, swimming with wild dolphins in their habitat and exploring coral reefs before an afternoon encounter with sea turtles at Nungwi Natural Aquarium. The trip runs about 11 hours, includes pickup from your hotel, snorkeling equipment, a live guide in English, Italian, French or German, and ends with a sunset over the Indian Ocean. Children from age 2 are welcome. Infants sit on an adult's lap.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphins, snorkeling, turtles, and sunset

• Pickup from hotel
• Depart by motorboat at 7:00 AM
• Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Point
• Snorkel at Mnemba Marine Conservation Area
• Relax and take photos at sandbank
• Swim with sea turtles at Nungwi Natural Aquarium
• Relax on Nungwi beach
• Watch sunset over Indian Ocean

The experience

Mnemba starts before dawn. Pickup begins 40 minutes before the 7:00 AM motorboat departure, so the timing depends on where you're staying. The boat heads first to Dolphin Point near Mnemba Island, where you enter the water to swim with dolphins in their natural habitat, not a pen, not a show, but the open ocean where they live. After that comes the Mnemba Marine Conservation Area itself, where the snorkeling centers on the coral reefs and the fish that live inside them: clownfish, angelfish, butterflyfish. Depending on the tide, the morning includes a stop at a sandbank surrounded by clear water, a place to rest and take photos before the boat turns back toward shore around 12:30 PM.

The afternoon shifts to Nungwi Natural Aquarium, a lagoon where sea turtles swim in shallow water and you can enter safely alongside them. After that swim, you have time to walk the beach at Nungwi and feel the pace of the place. The day closes with the sunset over the Indian Ocean from the water. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, bottled water and fruit. An air-conditioned vehicle handles the hotel pickup and the ride to the beach. A live guide speaks English, Italian, French or German throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• snorkeling equipment.
• bottled water and fresh fruit.
• all fees and taxes.
• a live guide in English, Italian, French or German.
• an air-conditioned vehicle for the ride to the beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Zanzibar Alibaba Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private motorboat and a guide for the full day. The group is yours alone, which means the boat can linger where dolphins appear and adjust the stops to the tide and the sea conditions.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

What fish and animals will I see while snorkeling at Mnemba?

Mnemba Marine Conservation Area holds colorful coral reefs with clownfish, angelfish and butterflyfish. Dolphins appear at Dolphin Point in the morning, and sea turtles swim in the lagoon at Nungwi in the afternoon.

How early do I need to be ready for pickup?

Pickup starts 40 minutes before the 7:00 AM motorboat departure, so the exact time depends on your hotel location. The operator will confirm it when you book.

Is snorkeling equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included in the trip, so you don't need to bring any.

What's included in the price, and what should I budget for separately?

The price covers private transportation, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, fruit, all fees and taxes, and the guide. Lunch is not included, so plan to bring money or arrange food in advance.