Mafia Island

★★★ Mafia Island — The Diving Paradise

Mafia Island is Tanzania's best-kept secret — a tropical island south of Dar es Salaam that offers everything Zanzibar has (beaches, coral reefs, spices) but without the mass tourism. The island hosts the Mafia Island Marine Park, the largest marine reserve in East Africa.

Mafia is a world-class diving destination:

• Corals: Intact, species-rich coral reefs with over 400 fish species, giant groupers, Napoleon wrasses, octopuses.
• Whale Sharks: From October to March, whale sharks visit the waters around Mafia — snorkeling and diving with the gentle giants is possible (ethically responsible, only with licensed providers).
• Turtles: Green sea turtles nest on the pristine beaches. During the nesting season (June–September), you can observe the egg-laying.
• Visibility: 15–30 m, water temperature 25–29°C year-round.

The infrastructure on Mafia is deliberately kept simple: Few, ecologically managed lodges and guesthouses, no large resorts. That's what makes the charm. Mafia is for divers and nature lovers who want to escape the mainstream.

Arrival: Flight from Dar es Salaam (30 min., Auric Air/Coastal Aviation, approx. 150–250 USD one way). Alternatively: slow ferry (several hours, adventurous).