Zanzibar & Coast
Mafia Island
A quiet island escape with rich reefs and seasonal whale sharks.
- Size
- The island covers approximately 400 km²; Mafia Island Marine Park protects roughly 820 km² of sea and shore
- Altitude
- At sea level
- Established
- Mafia Island Marine Park established in 1995, Tanzania’s first marine park
- Best for
- Diving, snorkelling, seasonal whale sharks and genuine quiet
Lying off the Rufiji River delta south of Dar es Salaam, Mafia Island is small, quiet and refreshingly undeveloped. There are no big resorts here — instead, a handful of lodges, fishing villages and palm plantations, and a strong focus on the sea.
Much of the surrounding water is protected within the Mafia Island Marine Park, where coral reefs, sea-grass beds and mangroves support a wide variety of fish, turtles and other marine life. Diving and snorkelling are the main draws, with conditions varying by season and tide.
Between roughly October and February, whale sharks are often seen off the island, and responsible swims with these gentle giants are a highlight for many visitors. Nearby Chole Island, with its historic ruins and village life, is well worth a short boat trip.
Highlights
- Seasonal whale shark encounters, typically around October to March
- Diving and snorkelling in the Mafia Island Marine Park
- Quiet, undeveloped beaches and island life
- Chole Island ruins and village
- Turtle nesting on some beaches in season
- Easy extension to a Nyerere or Ruaha safari
Things to do
- Snorkelling and scuba diving trips
- Responsible whale shark swims (in season)
- Dhow sailing and sandbank picnics
- Boat trip to Chole Island
- Village and mangrove walks
Wildlife you might see
Wildlife is wild — these are the species people hope for here, never a promise.
- Whale shark, typically around October to March — the island’s signature sighting, but a wild animal and never guaranteed
- Green and hawksbill turtles, with nesting on some beaches in season
- Reef fish in great variety, including groupers, snappers and parrotfish
- Hard and soft corals in the marine park, some of the healthiest in the region
- Dolphins offshore on boat trips
- Fruit bats roosting on Chole Island
- Crab plovers, terns and waders on the sandbanks
Planning your visit
- Best time to go
- The main season is roughly June to March. Whale sharks are typically present from around October to March, and many lodges close during the long rains (roughly April to May).
- Getting there
- By light aircraft from Dar es Salaam, typically under an hour, with connections from Zanzibar and some southern safari airstrips. The island is small, and lodges generally arrange transfers from the airstrip.
- Good to know
- Accommodation is limited — book early for the whale shark season.
- Marine park fees apply to visitors staying on the island.
- Life is simple and relaxed; do not expect nightlife or large resorts.
- Whale shark sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed.
What to see here
OceanSnorkelling & Diving
Tanzania’s Indian Ocean reefs range from shallow coral gardens ideal for first-time snorkellers to the steep walls of the Pemba Channel, which suit experienced divers. Water is warm year-round, visibility varies with season and tide, and the reefs themselves need care from everyone who visits them.
OceanWhale Sharks of Mafia
Whale sharks gather in the plankton-rich water off Mafia Island for part of the year, typically from around October to March. Snorkelling with them is a remarkable experience and a strictly managed one — they are wild animals in open water, and sightings are never guaranteed.
