MAFIA

Mafia's highlights are its attractive lodges, its diwving and its tranquility, Whale sharks are another attaraction, and are best seen from around November to January. The archipelago's main island, Mafia, lies just a short flight southeast of Dar es Salaam. Days are spent snorkelling, ralaxing or exploring some of the smaller islands. At night, enjoy the magnificent array of stars overhead. Mafia can be visited year-around, except for the rainy months of April and May.

Mafia Island lies in southern Tanzania off the mouth of the Rufiji River. In the area there is an archipelago of Islands composed of Mafia Island, Jibondo, Juani and Chole Island. Mafia Island and the surrounding Islands offer an unspoiled, and compared to the other Islands like Zanzibar and Pemba, relatively unknown Destination. Mafia Island, and the other smaller islands close by, offers excellent diving and snorkeling experiences and beautiful deserted beaches. The Island lies 8° south of the Equator and +/- 15 km east of the Rufiji river mouth. From north to south the Island is only 40km and the widest part of the Island is 16km. This makes Mafia Island just over half the size of Unguja Island, better known as Zanzibar Island. The deeper channels around the Islands offer world-class deep sea fishing. The Island also offer u huge variety of wild and bird life (over 120 different species of birds have been sighted). The Islands are all inhabited by local farmers with small fishing villages. Tanzania’s first Marine Park was also established here in 1995, making this a true paradise. The Marine Park covers the southern half of the Island and part of the north-east. Although some excellent hotels are found on the Island, the rest of the mainland’s infrastructure is very poor. Electricity is only found in the Capital, Kilindoni, and the main tourist area, Utende. Travel to the Island can only be done by small aircraft from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar Island. A less reliable and more adventurous method will be by sailing boat.

Mafia Island is a peaceful retreat with pristine diving and snorkelling spots that are home to a colourful array of ocean dwellers, including the whale shark.