Mikadini Reef Inner – Mafia Island, Tanzania

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALAN SUTTON

Situated on the the south eastern side of Jena Island, Mikadini reef is best dived on an incoming tide which drifts one slowly over the reef. The reef is composed of a large number of coral growths of various types spread across the bottom.

There is a significant diversity of corals and sea life. Large shoals of snappers and other species can be seen, as well as rays, white tip sharks (on occasion), Napoleon wrasses, rays and breams. A large shoal of humpback snapper is resident in the area. From a distance the shoal puts up interesting shapes so, as you approach it, the shoal breaks up and surrounds you. Shoals of barracuda have also been sighted here. Large numbers of rock cod, coral, peacock, cat face and other species inhabit the coral bommies. The area is also particularly rich in most species of wrasse found in East Africa.

Soldier fish, squirrel fish and pufferfish can be seen hiding under the overhangs, as well as lobsters, and several species of anthias. The depth starts at roughly 18 meters and shelves upwards to the north to some 14 meters. All-in-all there is an abundance of reef fishes and corals. Depending on the state of the tide, the visibility ranges from fifteen plus meters. The reef is quite long and can be done in a series of drift dives.

These images cover the inner section of the reef closest to Chole Bay where there are larger areas of rubble and more soft corals compared to the outer section of the reef. Depending on the state of the tide, it is an exciting ride towards the bay at the end of the dive as the current picks up on entering the bay.

Artem Puchkov photographs a large grouper

Eric Beaume descends onto the reef

Divers dropping onto the reef

A view of the reef with coral rubble in background

Glowfish, Gnathodentex aureolineatus, obscure a diver

A coral bommie with sea goldies

A view of the reef

A rare Zanzibar butterfly fish , Chaetadon Zanzibarensis

A view of the reef

A regal angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus

A view of the reef with sea goldies in foreground

Humbugs swim above soft corals

Bannerfish or Coachmen, Heniochus diphreutes

Artem Puchkov drifts across the reef, camera ready

An adult emperor angelfish Pomacanthus imperator

A juvenile emperor angelfish Pomacanthus imperator

A shoal of glowfish, Gnathodentex aureolineatus

Soldier hiding in corals

A scarlet soldier fish, Myripristis pralinia

A blotcheye soldier, Myripristis murdjan under a table coral

A regal angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus

A hog fish swims over a turbinate coral

Glowfish, Gnathodentex aureolineatus

A threadfin butterflyfish, Chaetodon auriga

A chevroned butterflyfish, Chaetodon trifascialis

Access: By Boat
Dive Operator(s): Mafia Island Diving 
Difficulty: All divers
Average Depth: 18 meters
Max Depth: 24 meters
Currents: Strong ( > 2 knots)
Visibility: Okay ( 10-15)