Have you ever heard of Mafia Island? If you ask us, it’s a must-visit destination you shouldn’t overlook during your trip to Tanzania! For those who have never heard of Mafia Island, this beautiful island is part of Tanzania and is renowned for its pristine coral reefs, exotic marine life, and serene, secluded beaches. The island is a paradise for divers, snorkelers, and water sports enthusiasts. Curious about what you can do in Mafia Island and how to best plan your trip? Read on!
Mafia Island | Tanzania
→ Great places to stay: Mafia Beach Bungalows & Utende Seacliff Resort
Things You Must Do on Mafia Island
Discover the top must-dos you can’t afford to miss on Mafia Island in Tanzania:
1. Mafia Marine Park
One of the world’s best-preserved marine parks, Mafia Marine Park is teeming with marine creatures and coral reefs just waiting to be discovered!
The best spots for diving and snorkeling are within Mafia Marine Park, where you can explore a vibrant underwater world filled with tropical fish, turtles, rays, and colorful reef sharks.
Best time to visit? Between June and September, you can witness hundreds of baby sea turtles swimming from the white sandy beaches to the warm Indian Ocean. It’s a spectacle you won’t want to miss!
2. Diving and Snorkeling
Explore the colorful corals and tropical fish in Kinasi Bay and Chole Bay, where giant groupers and moray eels await you! The clear waters provide incredible visibility of the underwater life.
For those who prefer not to dive, snorkeling is a fantastic option. Bring your snorkeling gear and discover the stunning reefs and marine life.
Whale Sharks Around Mafia Island
My absolute highlight and the main reason for visiting Mafia Island is indeed the whale shark! Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish species and swim gently in the warm waters surrounding Mafia Island.
From October to February, these “gentle giants” can be spotted near the island. Swimming alongside these incredible creatures is an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss!
3. The Most Beautiful Beaches on Mafia Island
Mafia Island is a beach lover’s paradise, offering unspoiled beaches with crystal-clear waters and stunning coral reefs. Here are some of the island’s most beautiful beaches:
Ras Kisimani: Ras Kisimani is a breathtaking spot near Kilindoni, the largest village on Mafia Island. Here, you can enjoy mesmerizing views of the Indian Ocean and stunning sunsets. If you’re lucky, you might even spot whale sharks from the beach! There are various resorts along the beach where you can enjoy food and drinks or use sunbeds and hammocks.
Bweni Beach: Located at the northern tip of Mafia Island, the further north you go, the fewer people you will encounter. With some luck, you may not see anyone all day! This beach is perfect for relaxation, swimming, and soaking in the beautiful surroundings. If you love tranquility and nature, this is a spot you shouldn’t skip.
4. Stay at Charming Places on Mafia Island
Mafia Island offers a variety of delightful hotels and accommodations:
Mafia Beach Bungalows (ocean view): Enjoy ocean views from your private balcony in these charming bungalows. They offer free bikes and have a hot tub!
WhaleShark Lodge: The lodge is situated in a beautiful location overlooking the ocean. Guests can enjoy a relaxing stay surrounded by nature and the beauty of Mafia Island. They also offer whale shark safaris, and you can create a package.
Chole Mjini Treehouses Lodge: For adventurous travelers, Chole Mjini offers a unique choice. This eco-lodge comprises treehouses and provides an incredible experience in harmony with nature.
Whether you seek luxury, a cozy beach bungalow, an eco-friendly lodge, or an adventurous treehouse, Mafia Island has something for everyone!
5. Great Restaurants and Cafés on Mafia Island
Here are our favorite dining spots on Mafia Island, Tanzania:
Beach Fire Kitchen – Chef Pamela: Enjoy delicious Caribbean dishes during a sunset dinner. Try the lobster, seafood curry, or shrimp.
Relax Food Point Hakuna Matata: A laid-back place with tasty food. Sample local Swahili dishes and bask in the relaxed atmosphere.
Hippopotamus Food Point: Enjoy delicious barbecue dishes. A great spot for fresh fish!
Local flavors, international cuisine, or a romantic dinner at sunset – they have it all!
6. Best Sunset Spots
If you’re in the mood for an evening to enjoy an ultimate sunset, here are some excellent spots to go:
Marimbani Sandbank in Chole Bay: A romantic place to watch the sun sink into the sea. The soft sandbank and calm waters make it a perfect location for a relaxing sunset cruise.
Kinasi Lodge: Take a sunset cruise on a traditional jahazi boat, cruising through Kua Channel and discovering many bays and beaches. The Blue Lagoon, a coral cave, is a highlight of this cruise!
7. Visit Chole Island
Chole Island, also known as Chole Mjini Island, is a captivating island in the Mafia archipelago off the coast of Tanzania. Chole Island has long been a part of Mafia Island Marine Park.
Today, about 1,500 people live on the island. For a small fee, the locals are more than happy to give you a tour of this unique island. It’s a unique experience; you will be taken to the island by taxi boat. Your guide will share stories about the island where tradition, history, and nature converge.
Plan Your Trip to Mafia Island
There are two ways to reach Mafia Island:
By Air: You can fly from the mainland of Tanzania and Zanzibar to Mafia Island. This is the quickest way to get there. However, the downside is that flights to Mafia Island can be quite expensive. If you’re backpacking in Tanzania and have ample time, keep reading! We’ll explain how to get to the island on a budget.
Public Transport: For adventurous backpackers looking to save costs, we provide a much more adventurous and budget-friendly route to reach Mafia Island rather than simply flying. Check out the full route description below!
Transportation in Tanzania: Bolt & Dalla Dalla
Before we share the route to Mafia Island, it’s useful to know about the different modes of transportation in Tanzania. You can travel by Bolt or the Dalla Dalla, but there are also other options:
- Bolt: Bolt is the taxi service you know. In Dar Es Salaam, Bolt is the easiest way to get around. It’s a taxi app similar to Uber. Uber is also used in Tanzania, but Bolt is the cheapest option! The app is straightforward and safe to use. You can choose from various transportation modes:
- Bodaboda: A bicycle taxi/motorcycle
- Bajaji: This is a tuk-tuk
Our tip for traveling independently in Tanzania: definitely download the Bolt app. It makes planning your journey so easy. Create an account, add your credit card information, and the app is ready for use!
- Dalla Dalla: In Tanzania, locals use the so-called “dalla dalla,” a local minibus. The dalla dalla is quite an adventure in itself; they are often older minibuses and only depart when they’re full. Patience is a virtue, and it may sometimes take hours for a dalla dalla to leave… But don’t worry, the dalla dalla to Nyamisati is very popular!
How to Reach Mafia Island in 3 Steps like a Backpacker!
To reach Mafia Island as a backpacker, you’ll need to cover some distance. Just to clarify: we didn’t fly; that option exists, but it’s much more expensive. The route we took is not a typical travel itinerary, but rather an adventure. Traveling this way is an experience in itself, and by going to Mafia Island this way, you can save a lot of money.
From Dar Es Salaam to Mafia Island
We begin in Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania and a common starting or ending point for many travelers’ adventures in Tanzania.
Step 1: From Dar Es Salaam to Mwandege bus station: The easiest way to get there is by Bolt. Depending on how many people you are with, you can choose your vehicle.
Step 2: From Mwandege to Nyamisati: At Mwandege, hop on a dalla dalla to Nyamisati. This dalla dalla ride takes about 4 hours and makes several stops along the way (the bus station is hard to miss). The dalla dalla takes you through beautiful landscapes, and the locals you meet along the way are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Food and drink vendors are everywhere, and African music will certainly accompany this adventure. The fare is around 7,000 Tanzanian shillings, approximately €2.80.
Step 3: From Nyamisati to Mafia Island: From Nyamisati, take the ferry to Mafia Island. Tickets are sold in the village and cost between 15,000 and 20,000 Tanzanian shillings, roughly €8.
Keep This in Mind When Planning Your Trip
This may not seem too complicated, but there are a few things to consider:
Plan Well: As mentioned earlier, dalla dalla’s only depart when they are full. This can take time, so keep this in mind when planning your trip!
Accommodation in Nyamisati is Limited: Nyamisati is a charming village along a river on the mainland of Tanzania. You cannot use Booking.com or other reservation websites here. Accommodations can only be booked in Nyamisati, and these will not be luxurious, so a bit of preparation is needed if you don’t want to get stuck in Nyamisati.
Ferry Times Change Due to Tides: The ferry does not operate every day, as it is highly dependent on tidal patterns, which can lead to extremely low water levels. So ensure you check beforehand whether the ferry operates that day and what time it departs.
To give you an idea of the potential crazy ferry schedules: In November, for example, the ferry from Nyamisati to Mafia Island departed at 4:00 PM, and the return ferry to Nyamisati left at about 2 or 3 AM! The ferry ride takes around 4 to 5 hours, and once on the island, dalla dalla’s, bodabodas, and bajaji’s will be waiting to drive you.
Book Your Hotel on Mafia Island Immediately
If you’re still looking for a lovely hotel on the island, check out:
Feeling Excited to Visit Mafia Island?
We hope this article has inspired you to visit Mafia Island. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings! And make sure to say hello to the “Gentle Giants” for us. If you need help planning your trip, feel free to reach out or leave a message below!
