Mafia Island
Travel to Mafia Island to explore some of the world’s richest reefs — Tanzania’s first Marine Park and a scuba diver’s dream come true.
Tanzania's First Marine Park
Mafia Island is home to Tanzania’s first official Marine Park, a pristine and unspoiled paradise for divers and sea lovers. Non-divers can enjoy swimming with whale sharks, watching turtle hatchings, snorkeling in the bay’s shallow waters, and sailing aboard traditional dhows.
A Living, Breathing Eden
Lush vegetation and wildlife — coconut palms, baobabs, cashew, mango and papaya trees — fill the island’s interior, home to bush babies, wild pigs, blue duikers, genets, vervet monkeys and Pteropus fruit bats (flying foxes). On the coast, mangrove forests and tidal flats draw endless sea birds.
Ancient Lakes, Wandering Hippos
A series of reed-lined lakes in central Mafia Island are the remnants of an old lagoon cut off from the ocean thousands of years ago. A small population of hippo lives here still — likely having crossed from the mainland or been washed over by floods of the Rufiji River system — recorded on Mafia since Dr. Baumann’s observations in 1895.
Adventures Beyond the Reef
From whale sharks to ancient ruins, Mafia rewards those who venture beyond the dive boat.
- Swim with gentle whale sharks in open water
- Snorkel the shallow, sheltered bay reefs
- Sail aboard a traditional wooden dhow
- Explore the ancient ruins of Kua on Juani Island
- Spot fruit bats roosting on Chole Island
- Watch sea turtles hatch along the shore
A Marine Park Worth the Journey
Far from Tanzania’s mainland circuit, Mafia Island rewards travelers willing to go the extra mile — an unspoiled marine sanctuary where reefs, wildlife, and centuries of coastal history remain wonderfully undisturbed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mafia Island is reached by a short light-aircraft flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, typically arranged as part of your safari itinerary.
Whale shark season runs roughly October through March, while diving conditions are best from June to March, outside the long rains of April–May.
No — many of Mafia Island’s best experiences, including whale shark swims, snorkeling the bay reefs, and sailing on traditional dhows, don’t require scuba certification.
Yes — it’s one of our most popular safari extensions, easily paired with time in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, or Tarangire before flying out to the coast.
Let's Plan Your Mafia Island Escape
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