Zanzibar revised its marine conservation area entry fees in 2025, moving away from the flat $3 rate that had made its protected waters among the cheapest in the region, and switching to a digital fee-collection system. Operators were given roughly six months’ notice before the change took effect, and officials project the new structure will roughly triple annual conservation revenue.
What it means for a day at Mnemba Atoll or Chumbe Island
The headline point for travelers is simple: marine park and conservation fees are no longer the flat, almost token amount they used to be, and a portion of the increase is earmarked for conservation work and local communities around the reefs you’re visiting. Exact gate prices vary by site and can change again, so it’s worth confirming the current fee with your dive shop or tour operator when you book rather than budgeting from an old number — our money and daily-costs guide has the broader picture on what to budget for Zanzibar.
Good to know
Fees can differ site to site. Reporting on this change suggests Mnemba’s own tiered pricing was treated somewhat separately from the general increase, so don’t assume every protected area charges the same amount.