DestinationsBeach destination · Mafia
Mafia Island
South of Zanzibar, off the Rufiji Delta, Mafia keeps a slower clock.
- Recommended nights
- 4 nights
- Best months
- Oct, Nov, Dec +3
- Airstrip
- Fly-in possible
About
About Mafia Island.
South of Zanzibar, off the Rufiji Delta, Mafia keeps a slower clock. Its waters form a protected marine park, one of the richest in East Africa, where coral gardens, turtles and a tangle of reef life thrive with barely a boat in sight. From October to March, Mafia becomes one of the few places on earth where you can reliably snorkel alongside whale sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean, as they feed in the shallows just offshore.
On land the rhythm is unhurried: baobabs and Swahili fishing villages, green turtles nesting on quiet beaches, and a handful of lodges that have chosen seclusion over scale. There is little to do here but dive, drift and decompress, which is the whole idea.
Mafia pairs beautifully with a southern-circuit safari, and rewards the traveller willing to go a little further for a wilder, emptier coast.
When to go
Best time to visit Mafia Island.
- January: best
- February: best
- March: best
- April: not a best month
- May: not a best month
- June: not a best month
- July: not a best month
- August: not a best month
- September: not a best month
- October: best
- November: best
- December: best
Mafia Island, south of Zanzibar, is a quiet marine park famous for the whale sharks that gather in its waters, most reliably from around October to March. Snorkelling alongside these gentle giants is the island's signature experience, and the diving on its protected reefs is excellent.
The dry, calm conditions from June to October are ideal for general beach and diving, while the whale shark season peaks over the green months. Mafia is remote and low key, reached by a short flight, and suits travellers who want nature and quiet over a busy resort scene.
Gallery
A closer look.
On the map
Mafia Island and its neighbours.
7.900° S, 39.700° E
Government fees
Fees at Mafia Island.
Pass-through to the Tanzanian government, paid directly to the authority on top of accommodation. We always itemise every line on our quotes.
| Fee | Amount | Peak | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Marine Park Fee | $23.60 | No peak rate | Per person / day |
| Child Marine Park Fee | $11.80 | No peak rate | Per person / day |
| TDL (Tanzania Development Levy) | 1% of room | No peak rate | Per room / night |
Where to stay
Lodges and camps here.
Properties we work with directly. Each links to a dedicated lodge page with rooms, amenities, and best months.
Eco Shamba Kilole Lodge
Six thatched bungalows in a five hectare garden above Kilole Bay, inside the Mafia Island Marine Park, with the dive centre a short transfer away in Utende.
- Diving
- Snorkelling
- Beach After Safari
Common questions
Questions, answered.
When can you see whale sharks at Mafia Island?
Whale sharks gather off Mafia most reliably from around October to March. Snorkelling with them is the island's signature experience, though sightings are seasonal and never guaranteed.
What else is Mafia Island known for?
A protected marine park with excellent diving and snorkelling on quiet reefs, plus a relaxed, low key atmosphere far from the crowds. It suits nature lovers rather than resort seekers.
When is the best time to visit Mafia?
June to October for calm, dry beach and diving conditions, and October to March for the whale shark season. April and May are the wettest, quietest months.
How do I get to Mafia Island?
By a short domestic flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. We arrange the connections as part of the wider trip.
Make it part of your trip
Plan a safari that includes Mafia Island.
Tell us how long you have and what you most want to see. We'll build a custom itinerary around Mafia Island with transparent pricing throughout.
Build & price your trip