Mafia Island

Highlights

• Whale sharks in Chole Bay and around, gathering seasonally in shallow water — usually around October to March
• Mafia Island Marine Park, with coral gardens in good condition and few divers on them
• Chole Island and its ruins, reached by dhow, slowly being reclaimed by baobab and forest
• Turtle nesting beaches and a long-running local conservation programme
• The genuine absence of crowds, which is the whole point

Getting around

• Light aircraft from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar; there is no practical ferry for visitors.
• The island is small — bicycles, local taxis and boats cover it.
• Dhow and boat transfers between islets are arranged through your lodge.

Good to know

• Four to seven nights. Travel here is an effort and the island rewards slowing down.
• Whale shark season is roughly October to March, but they are wild and no season guarantees them.
• Bring anything you specifically need — supplies on the island are limited.
• Diving is the main draw; if you do not dive or snorkel, the case for Mafia is thinner.

Swim with whale sharks through operators who follow the marine park code — no touching, no blocking their path. Medical facilities on the island are basic; there is no decompression chamber, so dive conservatively.