Mafia Island

Why Mafia Is Tanzania’s Diving Island

Mafia lies in the Indian Ocean south of Zanzibar, the main island of its own small archipelago. Quieter and less developed than its famous neighbour, it is a destination for people who come for the water rather than the nightlife — and at its heart is the Mafia Island Marine Park, one of the largest protected marine areas in the region.

The diving and snorkelling are exceptional: healthy coral gardens in Chole Bay, walls and channels rich with fish, and turtles nesting on the beaches. But Mafia’s signature is its seasonal whale sharks — between roughly October and March, the world’s largest fish gather to feed in the plankton-rich waters off the island, and snorkelling alongside them is a genuine bucket-list experience.

Mafia suits divers, snorkellers, and travellers wanting a barefoot, low-key island with conservation at its core. It is reached by a short flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar and combines beautifully with a mainland safari.

What to See & Do

• Seasonal whale sharks — snorkel with the world’s largest fish (Oct–Mar)
• The Mafia Island Marine Park, with superb coral and reef diving
• Green turtle nesting and protected, healthy marine life
• Chole Bay’s calm, sheltered waters and historic ruins nearby
• A quiet, barefoot island far from the crowds

How a Visit Works

Mafia is reached by a short scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to the island’s airstrip. Accommodation centres on dive lodges and small hotels around Chole Bay and Utende. Diving and snorkelling are the main activities, with whale-shark trips running in season. Most travellers stay three to five nights, often as a marine-focused finish to a safari.

Snorkelling beside a whale shark the length of a bus, then diving pristine coral with no one else around — Mafia is everything Zanzibar’s diving used to be. — Guest review, TripAdvisor

Things to Do

• Guided exploration and wildlife viewing
• Photography-focused safari days
• Custom private itinerary planning