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Tanzania: A Cruising Family’s Guide to Marine Parks and Reserves

The Ovens family set off from the east coast of Australia in 2020, cruising westward through South East Asia before crossing the Indian Ocean to Africa. After crossing the Indian Ocean they made landfall in Tanzania hoping to find clear seas and uncrowded beaches. While they did find some magical spots, they were frustrated by the lack of consistency in fees and charges, particularly for marine conservation areas. Mum Sarah explains all, in the first of a three-part report on Tanzania for Noonsite.

Published 4 hours ago

Tanzania – Know Before you Go

There are a number of designated Marine Parks and Conservation Areas in Tanzania.

It is important that you familiarise yourself with where these are, as as there are many restrictions and associated fees. Fees vary depending on whether you are in a park or a reserve, however, the zones for marine parks and reserves are NOT clear. Also, the processes and legislation for cruising vessels is NOT clear or available.

Since our visit, I have done much research to find maps for parks and reserves and confirm pricing – see below.

Fees as at July 2024.  Kindly supplied by SV Sailing Excelsior

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Marine Conservation Authority

It is important to note that Zanzibar and Pemba are governed under the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and therefore have different fees and regulations.

Tanzania Marine Parks and Marine Reserves operating under the auspices of the Marine Parks and Reserves Unit. Information kindly supplied by SV Sailing Excelsior.

A.  Tanga and Pemba Channel

Tanga Yacht Club appears to be just outside of the Marine Park border and no one we know of has been asked for Park fees. However, we were asked for fees in Pemba (as were many other visiting yachts).  We were hit by a boat while underway, causing damage to our hulls, claiming to be Marine Conservation in Pemba.  They were asking for $200 US dollars cash, and we therefore left Pemba altogether.

I contacted Tanzania Marine Parks who advised that Zanzibar and Pemba are governed under the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and therefore have different fees and regulations. Please refer to the following detailed map and fees, as disclosed by MCA Zanzibar Makame.

*Zanzibar/Pemba

MCA Zanzibar Makame advised the following via WhatsApp message (July 2024):

  • Entry fee is $3 USD for Marine Parks (MBCA, TUMCA, CHABAMCA and MIMCA)
  • Entry fee is $5 USD in Unguja/Zanzibar Island and PECCA in Pemba Island
  • *Note: Entry fees for special area within Mnemba is $25 USD.
  • *Anchoring within a Marine Park is $20 USD/ per day.
  • MCA Zanzibar Makame WhatsApp Contact: +255 773 437 143
Map provided by MCA Zanzibar Makame. Kindly supplied by SV Sailing Excelsior.

B.  Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve System

The Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve System consists of seven islands; Fungu Yasini; Pangavini; Bundya; Bongoyo; Inner and Outer Makatombe; Kwenda and Inner and Outer Sinda Islands.

Map of Dar es Salaam coast showing the DMRs study sites. Image kindly supplied by SV Sailing Excelsior.

C. Mafia Island

The marine park boundary is clearly indicated on this map.

 

Sarah Ovens
SV Sailing Excelsior

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About the Authors:

The Ovens Crew are an Australian Live-aboard family who began cruising on their sailing catamaran, Excelsior, in 2020.  Starting out on the east coast of Australia, they have since travelled extensively throughout Indonesia (for 12 months) and then onward to Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and more recently they have crossed the Indian Ocean to explore the African Continent and its cruising grounds. Find out more about the Ovens family via their:

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Related Information:

For more information, please refer to the Marine Parks and Reserves Guide here:

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Marine Conservation Authority Document Rules and Regulations:

Download SV Excelsior’s Marine Parks and Reserves guide here:

Tanzania Marine Parks WhatsApp Contact: +255 655 620 998

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Other Noonsite reports from SV Sailing Excelsior:

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising.

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