Mafia Island, Tanzania is an island paradise offering superb diving and ocean experiences. Travelers looking to get away from crowded tourist hubs and overdone resort accommodations can saturate themselves in Mafia’s pristine waters, white sand beaches and coral reefs.
Mafia has plenty of marine and beach activities to keep travelers active and engaged.
Deep-sea fishing is especially popular in the area, offering guests the chance to catch great barracudas, kingfish, enormous tuna (both yellowfin and dogtooth tuna varieties), giant trevally (which can be up to 50 kgs in weight!) and dorado.
The largest-recorded fish caught in the Mafia area weighed a whopping 57 kg (125 lbs)! The famous Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (author of Sherlock Holmes’ stories) visited in 1950 and caught a massive, 34 kg (75 lbs) dorado that broke African-wide records for this type of fish. As far as we know, this record still stands.
If you’re interested in deep-sea fishing on Mafia, be encouraged that the fishing season is over 8 months long, compromising the majority of the year (August through March).
Also, consider coming for the Mafia Channel Tournament, hosted by Kinasi Lodge (a member of the Game Fishing Association), held here on Mafia Island annually.
Mafia Island is a part of incredible Tanzania, which means that there is plenty of unique African wildlife to view while on the island. Visitors can see wild hippos, who enjoy the marsh at the center of the island and other animals, like adorable vervet monkeys and genet cats that roam freely on the island.
Mafia’s Chole Island is famous for their giant fruit bats – harmless, tropical bats that eat only fruit.
Across the Mafia area, bird lovers have the opportunity to spy over 120 species of unique tropical birds. The forests in the northern area of Mafia offer the best chances to see birdlife, but, because everything is ‘extra’ in Tanzania and it’s islands – Mafia Island is one of the few places you can have an excellent bird-watching tour, from the waters of the Indian Ocean, seated in a traditional Tanzania dhow.
How’s that for a spectacular way to experience nature?
Mafia Island and the surrounding smaller islands offer incredible diving experiences. In fact, Mafia Island is renowned in East Africa for its natural, vibrant reefs and amazing variety of tropical fish. This area has been documented and given special protection by major international bodies, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Because of its important reefs and marine life, and the efforts of international organizations for wildlife conservation, the Mafia Island Marine Park was founded in 1995. This is the first of Tanzania’s Marine parks and an important approach to protecting and conserving the marine areas of the Indian Ocean along Tanzania’s coasts.
Diving around Mafia Island means the chance of sighting over 50 types of unique coral and nearly 500 species of fish. In the clear, warm waters divers will see schools of vibrant orange and neon-yellow fish, glimpse seahorses and natural coral in shapes and sizes that look like sculptures or art submerged within the water. The coral reefs around Mafia offer divers some of the most biodiverse marine life on the East African coast. Further, the marine mammals divers or snorkelers might encounter around Mafia island include Humpback whales, Sperm whales and dolphins.
Near Kinasi Lodge there is a famous diving attraction called “The Pinnacle”, which is a tall, 12- meter (nearly 40 feet) high spire of coral. It’s enormous size attracts fish and active marine life from all over, making this a prime location to see some of the most elusive underwater life.Some guests have even spotted moray eels in this area.
Other popular diving locations in the area include Forbes Bay and Dindini North Wall. Diving enthusiasts should consider visiting Mafia Island in the months of December – March for the best diving experiences, although diving opportunities are available year-round.
Sharks? Diving with sharks!?! Yes, diving with whale sharks.
While some adventure-seekers may prefer the extreme experience of swimming with Great White Sharks, such as is offered in places like South Africa, swimming with whale sharks is an entirely different sort of experience.
Whale sharks are beautiful, shy creatures that pose no harm to humans. As their name implies, they are similar to whales, not only in their massive size, but also diet: whale sharks eat plankton. Diving with whale sharks in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean is a serene experience, allowing visitors to interact with nature in a profound and safe way. These spotted giants can reach lengths up to 8 meters (over 25 feet) and will leave divers in complete awe.
But, divers are encouraged to move slowly and gently in the water, because despite their huge size, whale sharks are easily frightened and might swim away if they feel uncomfortable The best time to swim with whale sharks is from October – February. This is because the monsoon winds from the north bring down water from the Rufiji River, which is rich with plankton – the whale sharks preferred food. Whale sharks will come in droves along Mafia Island’s western shores to consume plankton, and divers can have the experience of a lifetime swimming with these giant creatures.
How are swimming tours to whale sharks organized?
Travelers join a tour for visiting whale sharks. Once the boat departs into the waters where whale sharks are known to swim it usually takes a short time (15-20 min) to spot these amazing creatures. Once seen, the boat will pause to allow these shy creatures to get accustomed to the presence of the boat. Then, the divers gently enter the water and swim amongst these giant, but harmless sharks for an awe-inspiring experience with nature.
If you’re not a trained diver, there are plenty of fabulous places to snorkel and enjoy Mafia’s vibrant reefs and diverse species of tropical fish. Some of these are in quiet, shallow waters, for visitors who are not strong swimmers.
Kinasi Lodge
Kinasi Lodge is the top-recommended accommodation offered on Mafia Island, providing incredible hospitality and delicious cuisine. Kinasi Lodge is fully-equipped to assist guests in deep-sea fishing adventures, diving expeditions and much more. Birdwatching is excellent here, as the location is perfect; near to the tropical forests and mangroves. Guests who want something away from the water can enjoy a bike ride or cultural tour, arranged by Kinasi Lodge.
Pole-Pole Bungalows
Pole-Pole Bungalows are great luxury accommodations on Mafia Island, emphasizing an eco- friendly approach to everything they offer guests. Bungalows are spacious, set right on the sand with everything one may need for a one-of-a-kind tropical vacation. There is a swimming pool and Wi-Fi. You’re sure to feel at one with nature staying at Pole-Pole.
Mafia Island Lodge
Mafia Island Lodge is set in a great location, right on a beach that is not influenced by tides.
Guests can enjoy a restaurant, choice of two bars and a spa during their stay. The lodge is known for providing warm hospitality and fun excursions for guests.
Are you seeking an island get-away that goes beyond touristy resorts? Come to Mafia Island and soak in paradise while you experience the amazing marine life of the Indian Ocean!
Contact us today to plan your visit to Mafia Island.
