Mafia Island lies to the south of Dar es Salaam, at the mouth of the Rufiji River delta. Lying off the beaten track, Mafia Island offers the visitor a fantastic experience, with friendly helpful local people, good beaches, clear warm water, world-class diving and snorkelling, and some great accommodation options.

 

You arrive on Mafia Island by light airplane on the island's airstrip, currently in the process of being upgraded. From the air you can see the coconut palms extending across the island, and the friendly local people waving to the plane from their bicycles as you glide in to land. If you are interested you can visit the carpentry workshops and timber factories on the island and see local manufacturers at work.

 

Mafia Island's biggest draw is undoubtedly the diving in the Mafia Island Marine Park, located to the south of the island in Chole Bay. Mafia Island Marine Park was Tanzania's first marine park, gazetted in 1995. The park encompasses a range of habitats, including mangroves, sea-grass beds, coral reefs, inter-tidal reef flats, lagoons and coastal forest. This makes it an important ecological resource, and of course a great location for diving and snorkelling! Giant turtles, sharks, tuna, dolphins, manta rays and of course multiple beautiful corals and small fish will surround you on almost every dive.

 

Mafia Island is also famous for its whale watching - mostnotably, the enormous and majestic whale sharks which feed on the nutritious waters flowing from the Rufiji River. These gentle giants are truly awe-inspiring, reaching lengths of up to 18 metres. They come to the surface to feed during good weather and a sighting is almost guaranteed during the right season. With luck, you can find several swiming slowly around together, and it is possible to leap off the boata nd snorkel alongside these amazing creatures. This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and something you will never forget!

 

For more information on visiting Mafia contact us.