Blue Safari Snorkeling is a full day excursion on locally made, traditional sailing dhows. Safari Blue starts at 09.30 am from the fishing village of Fumba or Kikungwi, 30 minutes’ drive from Stone Town. Fumba is situated in the southwest corner of the island and is an ideal starting point to explore Menai Bay, officially designated a conservation Area in 1998. The Bay has a number of beautiful uninhabited islands and sandbanks and is frequented by humpback and bottle nose dolphins.
We advise our clients to wear swimwear under their clothes (there are no changing facilities at Fumba) and to bring waterproof footwear for boarding dhows.
On arrival at Fumba, guests are given a briefing on Safari Blue and a life jacket demo. Thereafter, you then board the dhows and set off to explore the bay and spot the dolphins. This sea adventure allows guests to be lucky enough to watch dolphins during the sailing on some of the trips. Later in the morning you drop anchor by a sandbank where the crew sets up sunshades and fits guests with snorkeling equipment. There is a large range of sizes and high-quality equipment. The Safari Blue crew can safely lead the snorkeling session and show points of interest. For beginners or less confident swimmers, we have inflatable snorkeling vests and the guides are on hand if required to accompany you.
After snorkeling we offer fresh green coconut (madafu) before we move to our “desert island” restaurant located beneath the shade of large tamarind trees on Kwale Island. lunch is a traditional Zanzibari buffet and includes grilled fish, slipper lobster, calamari, chicken, rice, tamarind and coconut sauces – all served hot from the grill. A gastronomic fruit tasting follows with a selection of between 10 and 15 different fruits. Cold drinks are available throughout the day and include mineral water and sodas. Coffee is also served after lunch.
Safari Blue includes a visit to a beautiful mangrove lagoon to swim through a mangrove forest (tide permitting). Depending on the weather you can also enjoy the chance to join the crew and sail in an “ngalawa”, a local outrigger canoe. You will return to Stone Town by sail as the sun begins to set, arriving back in Stone Town at around 17.30 pm.
Duration: Full day from/to Stone Town
Highlights:
Glide through the translucent ocean and watch the diverse marine life
Snorkel over different reefs and take advantage of the guide’s expertise
Swim in the shallow waters or lay on the beach of a large powdery sandbank
Enter the lagoon and find a natural swimming pool that is calm & perfect for a swim
See humpback and bottlenose dolphins at Menai Bay – a marine-protected area and sanctuary
Explore Kwale Island – view coral formations and discover hermit crabs or climb an ancient baobab tree
Watch the sun set leisurely during your return to Fumba on your glorious day in paradise and soak in the rejuvenation
Pick up & transfer from your accommodation at 08:00am
Entrance fee to the Menai Bay Conservation Area
Guided snorkeling with use of equipment
All food and non-alcoholic drinks
All other Safari Blue activities
Waterproof footwear for boarding dhows
A spare T-shirt for snorkeling
Sunscreen/block cream and sunglasses
Absolutely yes. We will arrange all airport transfers for you from and to the airport so that you don’t have to worry about how to get to your hotel. One of our drivers or guides will come to pick you up and take you back to the airport. This is already included in our offers and services.
Absolutely yes. Our handpicked hotels all offer you to safely store your luggage during your climb. In this way you can leave all gear that you won’t need during your climb at the hotel. That is very convenient if you are planning to go on a safari or to Zanzibar after your hike.
Tanzania Horizon Safaris has worked out a very transparent cancellation policy. In most cases we can offer a voucher if you have to postpone your travel. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please note that deposits are non-refundable as they have to be used for making reservations for your hotel and transport.
*If a booking is cancelled the client is subject to a cancellation fee as follows:
