Zanzibar Sea Turtle: Swimming with the Sea Turtles.
Brenda Bliss
Zanzibar Sea Turtle: Swimming with the Sea Turtles.
Zanzibar, a renowned island off Tanzania’s coast, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tanzania offering many marine experiences.
Planning a safari to Tanzania, incorporating Zanzibar to your Tanzania safari adventure among other exciting destinations would spice up your over all experience and leave fascinating and unforgettable memories.
Among the many marine experiences, the Zanzibar Sea turtles stand out as a fascinating attraction. These fascinating creatures frequent Zanzibar’s beaches and surrounding waters, making them a highlight for visitors.
For protection, the island is home to various conservation programs, offering you the chance to interact with sea turtles while supporting their overall existence.
Types of sea turtles in Zanzibar
Sea turtles in Zanzibar belong to different species, including the green turtle and hawksbill turtle.
These turtles often inhabit the warm, clear waters around the archipelago and also use Zanzibar’s beaches as nesting grounds, laying eggs in the soft sand.
Green turtle: These stand out as the only herbivorous species of the sea turtle feeding only on seagrasses,seaweed, sponges and algae.
Hawksbill Turtle: These turtles are greatly omnivorous, feeding on both plants and other animals, but, their principally preferred food in many areas is sea sponges. However, they do also feed on small fish, tunicates, marine algae, corals to mention but a few.
Where to swim with sea turtles in Zanzibar
Sea turtles can be found in several parts of the beautiful island of Zanzibar. However, there are actually only two places in Zanzibar where you have the chance to get up-close and interact with them compared to any other place by feeding them and swimming with them
Both located in Nungwi Beach, the Baraka Natural Aquarium and the Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond are the only two places you can have an up-close encounter with the fascinating sea turtles.
Swim with the sea turtles of Zanzibar
The Baraka Natural Aquarium: This is a natural lagoon that was formed by the erosion of coral bedrock. It is a sanctuary and rehabilitation centre for turtles that were purchased from fishermen, injured during the fishing processing, have buoyancy issues, or were hurt in many other ways are taken care of and later eventually released into the lagoon after recovery.
In case you want to meet them in the ocean, take a leap and grab your snorkel, swimming googles and delve into the marine world
Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond: Also known as the Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium, this is a non-profit organization whose aim is to revert the declining population of the turtles by protecting them. Eggs found by the local community are brought to the conservation ponds for hatching.
Once a year, in February, the newly-hatched baby turtles as well as the injured adult ones that have recovered, are released back into the ocean, a sighting that leave many filled with happiness and perhaps some happy tears too.
Other places to spot sea turtles in Zanzibar are Mnemba island reefs, Chumbe island reefs,Kendwa beach and in case you want to swim with the giant turtles, your go to spot is Prison island.
Is it safe to swim with the sea turtles?
Yes, it is safe to swim with the fascinating sea turtles in Zanzibar as long as you follow the guidelines which you are given at the Aquarium.
Recommended Safari packages
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit Zanzibar for sea turtles is during the nesting season when they come to the shore to lay eggs, giving you a rare chance to have a glimpse into their reproductive process.
This occurs between February and July.
What to Know Before Swimming with Turtles in Zanzibar
Swimming with Zanzibar turtles is no doubt an exciting and unforgettable experience, but there are things you should do, know and be aware of prior to meeting the sea turtles to make sure that it’s safe:
Always follow the aquarium’s guidelines: The aquarium knows best how to take care of the sea turtles and that is why they have guidelines that you must follow to make the whole experience not only fun and exciting but also, safe for you.
Don’t force the turtles to interact: While sea turtles are not aggressive in nature, they can bite and definitely will in case they feel threatened by you.
So, letting them come to you might be a wiser decision than forcefully getting close to them.
Don’t try to dive if you’re not confident in your skills: Nothing is more important than your safety. So, if you’re not confident in your swimming ability, wear a life jacket and play it safe.
A lady swimming with the Zanzibar sea turtle
I believe that Zanzibar Sea turtles must be on the bucket list o every marine life lover and the good news is, Serengeti Mara Experts has a well organized itinerary that not only takes you to Zanzibar to have an incredible encounter with the sea turtles, but also enjoy the thrilling game drives that take you to other Tanzania safari destinations like Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Centre among others.
Do not miss out on this fascinating encounter, send your inquiry now.
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Low season
Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, may
Peak season
Jun, July, Aug, Sept, Dec