Mafia Island
Whale Sharks and Quiet Reefs in a Marine Park
A sleepy island 40 minutes' flight south of Dar es Salaam, most of its coast inside the Mafia Island Marine Park: unspoilt reefs for diving and snorkelling, whale sharks in Kilindoni bay from about October to March, turtles nesting on Juani island, and the ruins on Chole. Lodges are few and small, most at Utende, and many close in April and May. The marine park fee is charged per person per day (about US$24, ESTIMATE). No beaches like Zanzibar's, but no crowds either.
Highlights
- Swim with whale sharks (October to March)
- Diving the Chole Bay reefs
- Chole island ruins and fruit bats
- Turtle hatching on Juani
- Sandbank picnic
- Dhow sail at sunset
Things to do
- Whale shark snorkel trip from KilindoniOct–MarMorning · 4h
- Chole island ruins and village walkAfternoon · 3h
- Reef snorkelling in Chole BayMorning · 3h
- Sandbank picnicAfternoon · 4h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: October – March
Worth knowing
Most Mafia Lodges Closed
Most of Mafia's lodges close for the long rains in April and May, and the seas are rough for diving. Go between June and March; the whale sharks are from about October to March.
Heads up
Ramadan in Zanzibar
Ramadan 2027 is expected from about 8 February to 9 March. Many local restaurants and cafes in Stone Town close until sunset, and eating, drinking or smoking in the street by day causes offence; cover shoulders and knees, and swimwear stays on the beach. Hotels and resorts serve visitors normally. Eid (about 10 March) fills the ferries and flights.
- Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr — Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim. During Ramadan (expected about 8 February to 9 March 2027, by moon sighting) many local restaurants in Stone Town close until sunset, eating, drinking and smoking in public by day is frowned on, and modest dress matters more than ever; hotels and beach resorts serve visitors as usual. The evenings are lively, and Eid (about 10 March 2027) brings three days of celebration, fairs and full ferries.