Mafia Beach Experience – Afrimine Tours

Mafia Island:
Your Hidden Tropical Paradise

About Mafia Island

If you’re seeking an unspoiled tropical paradise, Mafia Island should be at the top of your travel list. This hidden gem, located just 20 km off mainland Tanzania, has stunning beaches devoid of visitors, a laid-back atmosphere, and friendly local people.

Snorkel alongside the beautifully patterned giant Whale Sharks during certain seasons, scuba dive in marine reserves, catch a glimpse of majestic humpback whales or witness the wonder of baby turtles hatching on the beach.

You’ll be immersed in tranquillity on this island, with luxurious lodges available for your ultimate relaxation. Don’t miss out on this unique and unforgettable experience before it’s too late.

Experience Mafia Island

Discover the hidden gem of Mafia Island, an exquisite archipelago comprising one large and several smaller islands. Contrary to popular belief, this tropical paradise is not part of the Zanzibar archipelago. It is located in the southern Mafia district and is a less-visited tropical paradise with long white beaches, swaying palm trees, and abundant marine life.

Mafia Island is the best option for nature enthusiasts who prefer to take the road less traveled. Unlike the famous Zanzibar archipelago, tourism and development haven’t significantly impacted the Mafia archipelago. This means you can find yourself on stunning beaches all by yourself. And for divers and snorkellers, you will discover some of the best corals and marine life in East Africa.

Located just 20km from the mainland Tanzania and 130km south of Zanzibar, getting to Mafia Island is easier than you think. You can take a small plane from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, or Zanzibar and be transported there in no time. While there is a ferry from the mainland, its schedule is depending on the tide, the crossing is part of the journey and take about 4-5 hours.

If you book a safari and beach package or a Mount Kilimanjaro climb and beach package with us, our travel experts will book flights, accommodation, and island transport. This leaves you to enjoy a smooth, stress-free transition from Tanzania mainland to Mafia Island.

On the island, you will experience first-rate hospitality and excellent beachside accommodation nestled in palm groves. If you’re looking for a romantic yet secluded beach getaway to celebrate a honeymoon, Mafia Island is the perfect choice.

Soak up the relaxed atmosphere and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Ras Kisimani, Utende, and Kanga. Explore unique sights such as the elusive hippos at Ndagoni, the northern lighthouse of Ras Mkumba, or the giant fig and baobab trees on Chole Island. While there, you can also discover the Chole Island Ruins, which include a 14th-century mosque and an 18th-century two-story building.

The ocean to the south has been a reserve since 1995, resulting in abundant marine life and a diverse range of corals. This makes it one of the best dive sites in East Africa, with plenty of options for both beginners and experienced divers. If you’re interested in snorkeling, don’t miss the beautiful reefs of Chole Island and the Blue Lagoon on Juani Island.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with Whale Sharks also exists here. Beautifully patterned, they are known for their almost magical presence, similar to a dugong, dolphin, or whale.

If you plan to swim with the Whale Sharks, the best period is from October to February. We partner with a company that provides a thorough briefing on how to swim respectfully around Whale Sharks and that maintains slow boat speeds to avoid disturbing or harming the Whale Sharks with their propellers. Another highlight is from August to September when Humpback whales can be seen during a whale tour.

Best Time to Go

Mafia Island experiences warm and dry weather during two dry seasons. They are from June to October and December to February. Similarly, these two periods are also the best time for wildlife viewing in mainland Tanzania as the wildlife congregates around water sources. These two seasons are perfect for combining a safari with a relaxing beach holiday.

There are two rainy seasons which could affect your holiday plans. The short rains, which arrive somewhat unpredictably, occur from November to December. Whilst the long rains bring heavy rain from March to May.

Local Culture & Name Origins

Mafia’s name origin is uncertain. One theory suggests it comes from the Arabic “morfiyeh,” meaning archipelago. Another theory is that it comes from the Swahili phrase “mahali pa afya,” meaning a place of health.

Mafia Island Marine Park ist since 1995 the Tanzania’s first marine park. It covers 821 km² of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, and coastal forests.

Whale sharks were once considered seasonal visitors, but some live year-round in the Mafia archipelago. They move to deeper waters at different periods, leading to the assumption that they migrate away from the islands.

A perfect place to leave the world behind

If you’re looking for a unique and secluded travel experience, then Mafia Island is the destination for you. This tropical paradise, overshadowed by its neighboring islands, mainly Pemba and Zanzibar, is yet to be impacted by tourism, making it the perfect place to escape the crowds.

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you explore the easy-going pace of life and enjoy the hospitality of the locals. For those interested in diving and snorkeling, you won’t find a better place in East Africa than the Mafia Island Marine Park. Here, you’ll have the chance to swim with Whale Sharks and discover some of the best underwater scenery in the region.

Choose Mafia Island for your next holiday and fall in love with this enchanting archipelago.

Things to do

October to February, swim with majestic Whale Sharks
August to September, take a boat tour to see Humpback Whales
June to September be witness the turtles hatching
Snorkel at Colombo Island, Blue Lagoon, and Chole Island
Discover giant fig and baobabs trees growing around the Chole Island Ruins
Spot the shy and sometimes elusive hippos at Ndagoni
Visit and climb the lighthouse of Ras Mkumba

Wildlife and Plants to discover

Mafia Island wildlife includes hippos, fruit bats, Vervet monkeys, nocturnal Bushbabies, rare Blue Duiker, and Genet Cats. Over 120 bird species reside here, with notable sightings, including the Goliath Heron, Openbill Storks, Fish Eagles, Palm-Nut Vultures, and Sunbirds. Giant inland fig and baobab trees are a highlight, while dense mangroves and tidal sandbanks support numerous species. Many types of corals exist, along with over 400 marine species.

A report from our client about his whale shark experience

Whale Sharks & Turtels

Swimming with whale sharks on Mafia Island
..is a true experience – here’s everything you need to know about this unforgettable adventure.

The water sparkle turquoise blue and the silhouette of exotic Mafia Island with its white beaches and green coconut palms is just visible on the horizon. Mafia is a true relic of the old Swahili coast and resembles a timeless oasis of tranquillity.

The whale sharks of Mafia Island

While most of the locals go fishing, a few guests enjoy the natural beauty of the island. But today, none of us on the small dhow (a traditional sailing boat) have eyes for the landscape. The attraction of the day awaits us underwater.

Mafia Island is a Tanzanian island and the southernmost of the Zanzibar archipelago, a true paradise for those seeking happiness on white beaches. I’m excited and looking forward to this experience!

Whale sharks come to Mafia Island every year between October and March

..a truly magical spectacle takes place here. Whale sharks, which at around 13 metres long are among the largest fish in the ocean, come to the plankton-rich waters around Mafia in search of food.

A magical experience: swimming with whale sharks on Mafia Island

These gentle giants feed exclusively on plankton, which they filter by sucking in water. The whale shark has no teeth and is therefore absolutely harmless to humans. This is a reassuring realisation that we are reminded from time to time as we eagerly await the sighting of the first whale shark around the boat.

Will we be one of the lucky ones to experience an encounter with these gentle giants?

Suddenly, the moment seems to have arrived. In the clear water beneath our small dhow, we can recognise giant shapes. Everything happens very quickly and the first two brave snorkellers are let into the water to swim with the whale sharks.

A feeling of respect for these large animals mingles with my excitement. “What if the whale shark is looking for a change from the plankton?” I think to myself before jumping into the warm water. As soon as I open my eyes, I see a whale shark just a few metres away from me. It appears huge and glides past us elegantly, almost majestically. It doesn’t even seem to notice that we have invaded its habitat. It swims along under the surface of the water at a remarkable speed that even a good snorkeller can barely keep up with. The initial queasy feeling gives way to total enthusiasm. I experience magical moments.

To avoid disturbing the animals, we stick to the rules and don’t touch them, but keep our distance. After about 2 hours, it seems that the whale sharks have had enough of us. As suddenly as they appeared on the surface, they disappeared again. They leave us with the feeling that we have experienced something unique and very special.

Where turtles hatch

Mafia Island is a paradise for snorkellers and divers all year round. But nature lovers also get their money’s worth above water. You can watch a very special event between June and September: The hatching of the baby turtles. Incidentally, the weather in Tanzania is particularly nice at this time, which makes a trip even more worthwhile!

The adventure begins after a wonderful dhow trip through Chole Bay to the small island of Juani, which is also part of the Mafia archipelago. A short hike takes us through the island’s marvellous landscape. On the way, we make the acquaintance of some monkeys, who watch us curiously from a distance. Sheltered in a nesting station are several nests filled with turtle eggs.

We are treated to a marvellous spectacle as the babies fight their way out of their eggs and flap their tiny flippers. Once they have fully hatched, they fight their way through the white sand to set off on their long journey.

As soon as the little turtles are old enough to lay eggs themselves, they will return to the beach where they were born.