Zanzibar: 1 Day Blue Trip with 2 Stunning Scuba Dives

The best part of this Zanzibar excursion happens below the surface: you leave Matemwe by boat and visit two different Indian Ocean sites in one morning. Colorful fish, starfish, sea snakes, and even a pufferfish have been seen here, though marine life is never guaranteed.

I like the small-group option and the calm support from professional instructors. Dive master Othman, in particular, helped a less experienced participant feel at ease. I also like the tidy half-day schedule, with lunch, fruit, and water included. The catch is that you need a valid diving certificate, and the $120 price does not include transport or a $10 entrance fee.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate underwater sites: You get two open-water sessions rather than one long visit to a single location.
• Meet at 7:30 in Matemwe: The blue Eagle Ray Dive Center building is the landmark to look for.
• Othman may be your dive master: He has been praised for patient, supportive help with newer divers.
• Lunch is served on the boat: Expect a light meal, fresh fruit, and mineral water during the break.
• Transport costs extra: Hotel pickup can be arranged, but it is not part of the $120 base price.
• A certificate is required: This is not an introduction for non-swimmers or people without the necessary certification.

Setting out from Matemwe at 7:30

Your morning begins at the blue building marked Eagle Ray Dive Center in Matemwe, on Zanzibar’s northeast coast. The listed meeting time is 7:30, so arrive early enough to find the building, sort out your gear, and avoid starting the morning in a rush.

If you arrange hotel pickup, the driver comes to your reception. Be ready five minutes before departure, or ten minutes in advance if the driver has given you a specific pickup time. The van carries the logo for Crab Tours or Beach Safari Holidays, and the driver confirms your names at reception.

A van transfer of about one hour appears in the schedule for pickup arrangements. Since transport is optional and priced separately, check the total cost before booking. This matters most if your hotel is far from Matemwe. The base price looks attractive at $120 per person, but a full calculation should include the transfer and the separate $10 entrance charge.

Two Indian Ocean sites instead of one

Once the boat leaves shore, the morning centers on two open-water scuba sessions at separate locations. This format gives you variety and breaks up the time in the water. You may see colorful fish moving around you, along with other marine life such as starfish, sea snakes, and pufferfish.

The exact sites and animals are not promised, so think of the wildlife sightings as a possible bonus rather than a guarantee. Water conditions, visibility, and marine life can change. The real value is having two chances to get underwater, with a surface break between them.

A professional PADI instructor and an experienced dive master accompany the group. That is important even if you already have certification. The crew helps with the equipment, keeps an eye on the group, and guides you through the sites.

One participant specifically praised Othman for being supportive after having completed only a few previous sessions. That detail matters if you are certified but still building confidence. You should still be comfortable in open water, but you are not expected to arrive as an expert.

What the first underwater session is like

The first session takes place at one open-water location. You use the provided scuba equipment and follow the instructor’s guidance before entering the water. The activity description does not give a fixed depth, bottom time, or exact site, so you should ask the center for those details if they matter to you.

Underwater, the appeal is simple and direct: you watch fish move through the Indian Ocean rather than viewing marine life from a boat. The surroundings may include starfish, sea snakes, or a pufferfish, as one particularly successful outing showed.

The instructor’s role is central. You should expect direction in English and supervision from both the PADI instructor and dive master. If you are not fully comfortable with a piece of equipment or with the conditions, tell the crew before the second session. A calm, clear conversation is better than trying to push through discomfort.

There was one report of equipment trouble during the first underwater session, with the affected item replaced before the second. That is a useful reminder to check your mask, regulator, and other gear before leaving shore. The response was practical, but equipment condition remains something you should inspect yourself.

The surface break, lunch, and second session

Between the two underwater sessions, you return to the boat for a break. A light lunch, fresh fruit, and drinking water are included. This is not a full restaurant meal, but it gives you food and fluids during a morning spent in the sun and sea.

Mineral water is available throughout the excursion. Bring any personal snacks or drinks you need, since the supplied meal is described only as light. You should also follow the crew’s advice about how long to rest before entering the water again.

The second session takes place at another location. That change of site is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a single-site outing. Different areas can offer different fish and underwater views, and the second chance may feel easier once you have settled into the equipment.

Still, two sessions require energy. If you are prone to seasickness, this activity is specifically not suitable for you. The same applies to people with respiratory, heart, back, or mobility problems, as well as those with epilepsy, diabetes, recent surgery, or another pre-existing medical condition. The restrictions are broad, so take them seriously and ask a medical professional if you are uncertain.

Back on shore by about 14:00

The one-day option ends around 14:00. That gives you most of the afternoon for another Zanzibar plan, provided your return transport runs as expected. The activity is therefore a good fit if you want a substantial ocean outing without giving up the entire day.

The schedule also includes a van ride of about one hour where pickup is arranged. The exact transfer time depends on your hotel and traffic, so do not place an important fixed appointment too close to the stated finish.

The drop-off information lists Eagle Ray Divers in Zanzibar and two drop-off locations. Confirm your return point when you arrange transport. This is a small practical step, but it prevents confusion after a tiring morning on the water.

The two-day option for more time underwater

You can choose a two-day PADI Scuba Diver session instead of the one-day format. Day one includes two open-water sessions at two different locations. Day two adds two more sessions at two additional locations, again with lunch, fresh fruit, and drinking water available on the boat.

The two-day version makes sense if you want more time to practice and more opportunities to see marine life. Four sessions across two days may also feel less hurried than fitting everything into one morning.

The trade-off is time and cost. The supplied price is listed as $120 per person, but it does not specify whether that amount applies to one day or both days. Check the selected option and total price carefully before paying. Also confirm if transport and the $10 entrance charge apply once or more than once.

What the $120 price really covers

At $120 per person, the package includes scuba equipment, equipment rental, the PADI Scuba Diver session, an experienced dive master, a light lunch, fresh fruit, and drinking water. Those inclusions reduce the need to arrange separate gear hire or food on the boat.

The value is strongest for a certified diver who wants a guided morning and does not own equipment. You are paying for the boat outing, instruction, supervision, gear, and two site visits, not simply a ride to the water.

The price is less straightforward if you need hotel transport. Transportation is optional and can be booked separately, while a $10 entrance fee is also excluded. Add those costs before comparing this trip with other Zanzibar ocean activities.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms help if your Zanzibar schedule may shift, though you should still check the exact conditions shown for your chosen date.

Who should book this Matemwe scuba outing?

This trip suits you if you already hold the required diving certificate, can swim comfortably, and want guided access to two Indian Ocean sites. It is particularly appealing if you have limited recent experience and value patient assistance from a dive master.

It also works well for couples or small groups who prefer a focused morning rather than a large boat excursion. English is the listed language, and a small group is available, though you should confirm group size when reserving.

You should skip it if you are a non-swimmer or if you have a condition listed in the health restrictions. Pregnant people, wheelchair users, people over 95, and those prone to seasickness are specifically excluded. These are not minor footnotes. Scuba activity places real demands on your body and requires comfort in open water.

You also need to bring proof of your diving certification. Without it, this is not the right session for you. The wording describes a PADI Scuba Diver session, but it does not present the outing as a beginner course for someone with no certification.

Practical ways to improve your morning

Arrive at the blue Eagle Ray building early, even if you are meeting a driver. Bring your certification, swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and any personal snacks or medication you need. The supplied information confirms lunch, fruit, and water, but not personal items.

Check every piece of equipment before boarding or before entering the water. If a mask leaks or another item feels wrong, speak up at once. A previous participant had one equipment problem corrected by a replacement for the second session, which shows why an early check is worth your time.

Tell the instructor about your experience level. Othman’s support helped someone with only a few earlier sessions, and that kind of assistance is most useful when the crew knows you need it. You do not gain anything by pretending to be more confident than you are.

Keep the afternoon flexible. The advertised finish is around 14:00, but boat and road schedules can shift. If you are using optional hotel transport, make sure the driver knows exactly where you need to return.

Should you book the Blue Trip?

Book it if you are a certified, comfortable swimmer looking for two guided Indian Ocean sessions from Matemwe, with gear and a simple boat lunch included. The combination of separate sites, experienced supervision, and a half-day schedule gives the $120 price a reasonable case, especially for visitors without their own equipment.

Think twice if you need transport included, dislike small boats, or have any of the listed medical concerns. Also confirm the price for the one-day or two-day option, since the headline cost does not clearly explain how the alternatives are priced.

For a newer certified diver, the strongest reason to choose this outing is the supportive instruction, particularly if Othman is on your boat. For a seasoned diver, the attraction is the efficient access to two locations and the chance to see Indian Ocean fish in their natural setting.

FAQ

Where does the activity meet?

Meet at the blue building with Eagle Ray Dive Center written on it in Matemwe, in northeast Zanzibar.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting time for the one-day session is 7:30 in the morning. If using hotel pickup, be ready at reception five minutes before departure, or ten minutes early if instructed by the driver.

How many underwater sessions are included in one day?

The one-day option includes two open-water scuba sessions at two different locations.

What is included in the price?

The package includes scuba gear, equipment rental, a PADI Scuba Diver session, an experienced dive master, a light lunch, fresh fruit, and drinking water.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included in the base package, but optional transport can be booked.

Is there an extra entrance fee?

Yes. A $10 entrance fee is not included.

Do I need a diving certificate?

Yes. A diving certificate is mandatory, and you should bring it with you.

Can I choose a two-day option?

Yes. The two-day option includes two open-water sessions at two locations on day one and two more sessions at two different locations on day two. Lunch, fruit, and drinking water are available on the boat.