Mafia Island
Mafia island lies 30 minutes by plane, 130 kilometres south-west of Dar-es-Salaam. Flights cost $150 each way from Dar, $190 from Zanzibar and $300 from Selous.
The resident population of 46,000 are mainly fishermen or smallholder farmers that grow coconut, paw-paw, rice and cassava. The friendly and welcoming islanders create a relaxed atmosphere.
The dominant religion is moderate Islam and both christians and muslims live in peace and harmony. The air and sea temperatures remain warm all year round with the main rainy season between April and June.
Today Mafia is known as a beautiful Indian Ocean island that is famous for deep sea fishing and scuba diving. Aquatic life is abundant and the coral gardens are in good health due to the protection of the Mafia Island Marine Park. The park is located between the Rufiji River delta to the west and the open Indian Ocean to the east. The dual influences of the river and the sea have combined to create a rich and exceptional biodiversity with unique landscapes under the sea and on dry land.
The island was the most important trading post of Shirazi influence between the 12th and 15th centuries AD. It has occupied a key position in the East African trading routes between Kilwa and Zanzibar for centuries and ruins from these times can be visited on Chole and Juani islands. In more modern times, Mafia was the base used by British forces in World War I, when in 1915, they assembled their aerial forces to scout for the German battleship, Königsberg, which was wrecking havoc with British shipping, and was hiding under thick foliage in the nearby Rufiji Delta. Read a potted history of Mafia Island here...
The island has many attractions: snorkelling with the seasonal whale sharks off the east coast of Kilidoni from September to March, and diving on the outer reefs of the west coast, the passes on the edge of Chole Bay, and inside the bay itself. As luck would have it, when the whale sharks aren't visible, this is the best time of year to see turtle hatchings, from April to September, on the beaches of Juani Island, 30 minutes by boat from Chole Bay. The island is also rich in historical sites, ruins, and postcard-perfect sandbanks.
Read about the diving here.
Read about the tours here.
The resident population of 46,000 are mainly fishermen or smallholder farmers that grow coconut, paw-paw, rice and cassava. The friendly and welcoming islanders create a relaxed atmosphere.
The dominant religion is moderate Islam and both christians and muslims live in peace and harmony. The air and sea temperatures remain warm all year round with the main rainy season between April and June.
Today Mafia is known as a beautiful Indian Ocean island that is famous for deep sea fishing and scuba diving. Aquatic life is abundant and the coral gardens are in good health due to the protection of the Mafia Island Marine Park. The park is located between the Rufiji River delta to the west and the open Indian Ocean to the east. The dual influences of the river and the sea have combined to create a rich and exceptional biodiversity with unique landscapes under the sea and on dry land.
The island was the most important trading post of Shirazi influence between the 12th and 15th centuries AD. It has occupied a key position in the East African trading routes between Kilwa and Zanzibar for centuries and ruins from these times can be visited on Chole and Juani islands. In more modern times, Mafia was the base used by British forces in World War I, when in 1915, they assembled their aerial forces to scout for the German battleship, Königsberg, which was wrecking havoc with British shipping, and was hiding under thick foliage in the nearby Rufiji Delta. Read a potted history of Mafia Island here...
The island has many attractions: snorkelling with the seasonal whale sharks off the east coast of Kilidoni from September to March, and diving on the outer reefs of the west coast, the passes on the edge of Chole Bay, and inside the bay itself. As luck would have it, when the whale sharks aren't visible, this is the best time of year to see turtle hatchings, from April to September, on the beaches of Juani Island, 30 minutes by boat from Chole Bay. The island is also rich in historical sites, ruins, and postcard-perfect sandbanks.
Read about the diving here.
Read about the tours here.