Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond

The Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond, also known as Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium, is a significant tidal pool located behind Nungwi Beach in Zanzibar. It serves as a project to protect and study sea turtles. Visitors can interact with the turtles, including activities like swimming, and learn about ongoing conservation efforts. In February, the pond holds an annual release event, celebrating the successful rehabilitation of injured turtles as they return to the ocean.

At the conservation pond, visitors can swim with, touch, and feed the turtles. The pond is a natural lagoon, separated from the Indian Ocean by a few metres of old reef rocks. The centre also has smaller pools for baby and young sea turtles, and it also is a place to treat and care for injured or sick turtles, brought in by divers or local fishermen. Besides sea turtles, the centre works to protect other local wildlife through its large vivariums, making it a valuable spot for marine life conservation and learning.