Mnemba Island at a glance
Mnemba lies off the north east coast of Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. It is a small wooded island with a ring of white sand, and it is privately run. Landing is for guests of the island only. What the public can book is a boat trip to the coral reefs around it, with snorkeling over the water. A boat offer to the reef is not access to the island.
Three terms are in use and they are not the same: the private island, the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area and the special area inside it. Ask the operator which area your trip enters, because the marine fee depends on it.
Our picks: Mnemba snorkeling trips
Three boat trips to the reef around the island, not to the island itself. The one with the government fee included is the simplest to price, and the pickup option saves the trip to the north.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Mnemba snorkeling and dolphin trip by motorboat
- Motorboat and local guide
- All fees and taxes
- Snorkel gear
Tropical fruit and bottled water come with the boat, and fees and taxes are included in the price.
Check availability →
Mnemba snorkeling and dolphin trip with government fee
- Government fee included
- Boat and snorkel gear
- Water and fruit
The government fee is already in the price, which keeps the cost clear. Transport and lunch depend on the option you choose.
Check availability →Mnemba snorkeling and dolphin watching from Matemwe
- Boat and guide
- Snorkel gear and life jacket
- Water and fruit
Includes a briefing on protecting the reef. Lunch only comes with the lunch option, so ask whether the marine fee is included before you book.
Check availability →Mnemba snorkeling trips 2026
Reef snorkeling and boat trips to Mnemba from the north east coast, with live prices and availability.
Zanzibar snorkeling at Mnemba
Mnemba is known for coral reefs and for sea life above them. The reefs around the island are used for snorkeling, and turtles nest on beaches there. You may see fish, rays or turtles on a given day, but nobody can promise a particular sighting. Water clarity and currents change with weather and tide, and the boat crew chooses a spot to match.
Most Mnemba boat trips start on the north east coast, with Matemwe and the surrounding beaches among the departure points. Ask about three things before you book: where the boat leaves, how long you spend in the water and whether the marine fee is in the price. Our Kiwengwa and Matemwe guide covers the beaches where many trips begin.
Bring a snorkel and mask that fit, or check what the operator provides, and wear a rash vest or other cover against the sun. Listen to the safety briefing before you enter the water, especially if you are a weak swimmer or travelling with children.
Be gentle with the reef
Do not stand on coral and do not touch turtles, rays or fish. Keep a calm distance from animals and do not feed them. Rules on distances to animals and on mooring can differ by zone and operator, so follow the instructions of your crew.
Marine fees by zone
Visitors pay a marine conservation fee at protected marine areas. Which rate applies depends on the zone and on who you are. These are typical amounts for 2026. Confirm with your operator whether the fee is included, so you do not pay twice.
| Visitor | Regular marine area | Special zone |
|---|---|---|
| Tourists from outside East Africa | $10 | $25 |
| Non-East African residents of Tanzania | $5 | $12 |
| East Africans including Tanzanians | TZS 5,000 | $10 |
The amounts may change, and child rates depend on the operator, so ask. Never add the two columns together unless the operator tells you both are charged.
Zanzibar diving
Diving is part of Zanzibar's coastal offer. The coast has reefs, drop-offs and drift dives across the archipelago, including Pemba. Whether a dive trip includes the reefs near Mnemba depends on the operator, so ask for the dive site list and the marine fee before you book. Dive sites differ in depth, current and difficulty, and not every site suits beginners.
Diving is also on offer around Pemba. Read the Pemba guide for how to get there from Zanzibar. For a boat day without a dive course, a dhow trip to the south west is a different option, described on our Menai Bay page.
Planning notes
What to check before you go.
Season and weather
June to September is the drier part of the year, with the long rains from March to May and the short rains from October to December. See best time to visit for the picture by month.
Insurance
State travel insurance for Zanzibar costs $44 for adults and $22 for children (2026). A private policy does not replace it. Check whether your own cover includes boat trips and diving.
Sea safety
Sea urchins live around the archipelago, and the German Foreign Office advises against beach walks at night. It also advises against sea crossings to Zanzibar in storms and warns of overloaded vessels. Our safety page has the details.
Sun and water
Bring sun protection and drinking water on a boat day. Bring a reusable bag instead of plastic, as single-use carrier bags are banned.
Mnemba Island: frequently asked questions
Can you visit Mnemba Island?
No, not as a day visitor. The island is private, and landing is for guests of the island. Public boat trips go to the reefs around it.
How much is the Mnemba marine fee?
For tourists from outside East Africa the fee is typically $10 in a regular marine area and $25 in a special zone (2026). Ask which applies to your trip and whether it is in the price.
Will I see turtles or dolphins at Mnemba?
There is no guarantee for turtles, dolphins or any other animal. Turtles nest on beaches around the island, but a sighting on any given day is chance. Do not touch or chase any animal.
Where do Mnemba boat trips start?
Most start on the north east coast, with Matemwe among the departure points. The airport taxi to Matemwe costs $60 per car, one way (2026).
Can I dive at Mnemba?
Whether a dive trip includes the reefs near Mnemba depends on the operator. Ask for the dive site list and the marine fee before you book.