Dive in Mafia Island, Tanzania's Best Kept Secret!

Why We Love It

Imagine a breathtaking island with a lush green interior, white-sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters filled with beautiful coral reefs: this is Mafia Island, also known for its whale sharks! Located 160 km south of Zanzibar, Mafia Island hosts some of the most diverse marine life in Eastern Africa, with over 50 types of corals and 400 species of fish. The island is also one of the planet's growing hot spots for whale shark sightings, with WWF registering not fewer than 180 individuals in December 2017!

Conservation

The dive center runs regular beach clean-ups and Project AWARE Dive Against Debris events. They also run a patrol boat every day in conjunction with the Mafia Island Marine Park.

Who Is It For?

For divers who want to escape the crowds, this is a perfect destination. Snorkelers will be delighted by the shallow coral reefs and the chance to snorkel with whale sharks. Non-diving partners can go on excursions to see 10th and 12th century ruins, explore stunning sandbanks, and witness turtle hatching in season.

Prices and Dates

Dive Briefing!

Marine Life

• Mafia Island Marine Park was established in 1995 thanks to WWF, who lobbied to protect the southern half of the island and its surrounding waters
• More than 400 species of fish and 50 types of coral can be seen in Mafia Island waters
• Resident whale sharks can be seen all year round, with a peak between October and January
• Endangered sea turtles come every year between June and September to hatch on the Island
• Humpback whales migrate between August and October, with a peak in September
• The marine park also comprises a critical habitat for the rare dugong, classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Inside Chole Bay, you'll see - to name a few:
  • beautiful hard coral formations
  • lots of critters and nudibranchs
  • ghost pipefish
  • leaf fish
  • shrimp
  • crabs
  • moray eels
  • stingrays and eagle rays
  • barracudas
  • Napoleon wrasse
• Outside Chole Bay, you'll get to see - among others:
  • walls with caves and overhangs
  • lobsters
  • giant groupers
  • Napoleon wrasse
  • giant reef rays
  • barracudas
  • trevally
  • hawksbill turtles
  • guitar sharks
  • occasional white tip reef sharks

Dive Conditions

• Season: to dive in all sites (inside & outside Chole bay), go between October and March. If you want to snorkel with whale sharks, the best time to go is between November and January. From June to September, you'll only be able to dive inside Chole Bay, due to local winds
• Currents: can be strong in a few well-known sites
• Visibility: 4 to 40 m (13 to 131 ft)
• Water Temperature: 24° to 30°C (75° to 86°F)
• Depth: shallow and deep dives

Dive Sites

• 23 dive sites of the Marine Park are regularly visited:
  • 2 sites with good macro life are accessible from the shore
  • 13 sites are inside Chole bay. They are mostly shallow, with sloping reefs, coral gardens, beautiful rock formations, some channels, some pinnacles and some sandbanks
  • 8 sites are outside Chole Bay, offering deeper diving opportunity. You'll get to see beautiful walls with small caves, some archways and some sloping reefs
• Dive trips are planned according to daily tides, with most times two boat dives a day. The surface interval is spent on the boat

The Team

• Operation created in 2006
• Number of boats: 3
• PADI 5 stars dive resort
• Courses up to divemaster, ask us
• Language spoken: English
• Maximum number of people per dive guide: 8

Safety Information

• Equipment Recommended: a 3mm wetsuit
• Insurance: both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote
• Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: Zanzibar

Visas, Flights, and More!

Visa Requirements

• You must have a passport valid for at least six months.

• You might need a visa before traveling. Check on the Tanzania Immigration Services Department's website what is required for your nationality.

How to Get There

• Fly to Tanzania's capital city, Dar es Salaam. You'll arrive at Terminal 2
• Take another flight from the domestic terminal to Mafia Island. It's a 20-minute walk from one to another. There's a free shuttle that can take you there during the day
• Local airlines flying to and from Mafia Island are:
  • Coastal Aviation: two flights a day. Adult price net of taxes is US$130 one way
  • Auric Air: one flight a day. Adult price net of taxes is US$122 one way
  • Tropical Air: no more flights scheduled for now
• Verify the airlines' schedules before you book your international ticket, and always plan for delays

More...

• Tanzania is subject to malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Take necessary precautions to avoid it (cover yourself, have mosquito repellent and take malarone tablets)
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a rash guard, a sweater or a light-weight jacket, some walking shoes, a mask, and a snorkel