The Zanzibar Archipelago - Latham Island
Latham Island, historically known as Fungu Kizimkazi and locally known as Fungu Mbaraka, is a small coralline island located some 35 nautical miles south-east of the island of Zanzibar, and 25 nautical miles east of Ras Kimbiji on the Mainland Tanzania coastline.
The topography of the island consists of a flat plateau lying more or less 10 feet above spring high sea level. It is inhabited only by an important colony of sea birds, including the Masked Boobie, Brown Boobie, Swift Tern, Sootie Tern, and Common Noddy that nest there. No plants grow on the island other than a creeping succulent that grows on parts of the island.
Underwater, Latham Island is a pure gem!! It's remoteness and offshore location ensure that it has not yet been heavily affected by the artisan fishing fleets common to Tanzania. The reef is approximately 10 nautical miles long by 4 nautical miles at it's widest point. The reef sits in a north-south direction as is well in the current stream that runs northward. When diving there, one can therefore expect strong currents of up to 6 knots, which are condusive to drift diving.
The reef is populated by large pelagic fish, including sharks, and has some interesting dive locations with beautiful coral formations adjacent to steep drop-offs, very healthy populations of several species of Groupers and Rock-Cod, as well as common sightings of Dogtooth Tuna, Wahoo, Billfish, and much more.
Sitting right in the middle of the old trade routes, Latham Island is a likely place to discover unknown wrecks.....and who knows what they might contain.
Trips to Latham start from Zanzibar and have a duration of no more than 3 full days, after which the live aboard yacht would head back to Zanzibar (4 night trips) or southward to Mafia Island and the southern Tanzanian archipelagoes (7 nights trips or more).
The diving at Latham Island is broken up with the highly recommended visit to the bird colony on the island, which offer scenes that National Geographic documentaries are made of, and free diving and snorkelling.
At the moment, we are the only company in East Africa that is dedicated to offering live aboard diving to Latham Island. Contact us for more information on live aboard scuba diving trips to Latham Island.
