Why Mafia Island Should be on your African Travel Wish List? Mafia Island is part of an archipelago south of Zanzibar that is both breathtakingly beautiful and geographically diverse. It is only 80 miles southeast of Dar es Salaam. Mafia Island deserves a spot on your bucket list because of its stunning white sand beaches, top-notch diving along coral reefs, diverse wildlife, and year-round vacation choices.
Visitors will need to use bicycles or small rickshaws to navigate around the island since there are no major roads. You can enjoy the unspoilt beauty as it unfolds while doing so. So let’s look more closely at the reasons we believe Mafia Island should go on your bucket list.
ABOUT MAFIA ISLAND:
The Kilwa Sultanate (a small island to the southwest) and its commercial partners initiated Mafia Island’s history as a trading port in the eighth century. Mafia Island served as a frequent stopping point along the principal commercial routes in the area, connecting all of eastern Africa, Arabia, and eastern Asia. The island was known as “Morfiyeh” by the merchants from Mozambique and Madagascar.
Mafia Island has had numerous invasions and settlements due to its proximity to the historic trading hub of Zanzibar and the modern-day “Swahili Coast” of Tanzania. Mafia Island is rich in history and guards its natural beauty, from a devastating cannibal invasion from Madagascar in the early 1800s to the German occupation of its coveted East African trading ports in the latter part of that century, to British control in the early 1900s and Tanzanian independence in the 1960s.
Mafia Island, a popular tourist attraction, is a relatively small island with a landmass of less than 170 square miles. The island is covered in towns, with Kilindoni, on the southwest shore, serving as the hub. Divers like Utende, a town to the east that is known for its luxurious resorts and an assortment of underwater “favorites,” which is located on the southeastern tip of Chole Bay.
It is more than diving paradise! The island is renowned for its diverse tropical plant life as well as its profusion of land and marine life. Visitors can appreciate the lush vegetation along the coast that descends to white-sand beaches as well as watch turtles that are breeding and whale sharks that are migrating. Additionally, the coral reefs and their marine life are recovering as a result of the Mafia Island Marine Park, which was established in 1995 and covers the southern coastal regions, including the coastal seas.
Mafia Island is referred to as “one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets” by some. Pubs and parties are uncommon, providing a more tranquil, natural setting than the busy beaches of Zanzibar. The name is derived from the Swahili phrase “mahali pa afya,” which means “a healthy habitation area.”
WHY IS MAFIA ISLAND A TOP TOURIST ATTRACTION?
Mafia Island’s strategic location—between the Indian Ocean to the east and the Rufiji Delta to the west—has helped to create incredible underwater reefs, making it a popular tourist destination for scuba divers. The Mafia Island Marine Park offers incredibly stunning reefs for snorkeling and diving. It spans large portions of the southern inland coastal areas and waterways. However, the majority of tourists come to the island between October and February to swim with the enormous whale sharks.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES: THINGS TO DO IN MAFIA ISLAND?
Scuba diving and marine life
Scuba diving is one of the island’s main draws because of the enormous coral reefs that surround it. Divers describe the experience as “exhilarating,” “an explosion of color,” as whale sharks, clownfish, and yellowfin and rainbow runners swim about the reefs. Government protection over the past few decades has resulted in an increase in sea life, fish numbers, and reef areas, with the stunning reefs now bursting with fish and swaying, protecting plant life.
Whale sharks are particularly well-known for snatching up plankton as they swim through the ocean, making Mafia Island a great place to swim with them. According to the IUCN’s (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list of endangered species, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are a protected species, Why Mafia Island Should be on your African Travel Wish List
Whale sharks are well-liked in marine tourism and frequently referred to as “gentle giants” because of their peaceful social behavior. They are the largest living non-mammalian vertebrates and can live for more than a century. The average adult whale shark can reach a length of 12 meters and a weight of 15 tons. The greatest season for viewing whale sharks is from October to February. If you’re fortunate, you might even be able to see a whale shark close to the coast during prime season.
Snorkeling with a whale shark
Whale shark encounters with the largest fish in the world that may grow to 20 meters in length are one of the main draws of Mafia. The whale shark can be seen swimming near the surface during the summer. You calmly get in the water to snorkel with them after being seen. They could be shy, so visitors should refrain from touching them.
Island wildlife watching
Many exotic animals, such as flying foxes, various species of primates, lizards, turtles, and a wide range of birds, can be found in Mafia Island’s interior. On foot, you may explore the environment and take in the variety and profusion of plant and animal life. Sea turtle eggs hatch between June and September, and young turtles can be seen moving across the dunes to the ocean. Since there is so much to see and see on the island, we advise taking a few local trips.
Chole Island Tour
One of the Mafia archipelago’s oldest inhabited islands is Chole Island. It has a lengthy, interesting past that dates back to the 12th century and was formerly the Mafia’s administrative center. On this walk, you may explore the naturalized ruins and observe German and Arabic influences, as well as a prison and customs house.
In addition to showing you where traditional Swahili dhows are constructed by expert artisans using hand tools, your guide will lead you on a stroll across the island past small towns and a variety of vegetation, including baobab trees.
Water sports
While visiting Mafia Island, visitors can engage in a variety of other water sports besides scuba diving. If you enjoy sport fishing, you’ve come to the right place. Enroll in a deep sea fishing excursion with the chance to land a large fish such as a sailfish, marlin, or enormous tuna. Additionally, snorkelers prefer the shallow reefs if they wish to stay near land. Alternately, go on a day trip and kayak around the island, navigating your way down the coast while dodging the mangrove trees, Why Mafia Island Should be on your African Travel Wish List
Sand bank of Marimbani
The tranquil sands of Marimbani Sandbank make it the ideal place to unwind and find peace. A 20-minute boat ride will take you to the half-moon-shaped sand bank, which is around 700 meters long during low tide and is only a short distance from the public beach.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MAFIA ISLAND
Although the island is a popular diving location, diving activities may be limited from March to May due to the island’s periodic rains, and lodging may be difficult to come by. In advance of the rainy season, many lodges close.
There will be plenty of sunshine from August to October, making for the ideal vacation. Beginning in October, the whale sharks stay until February. If possible, make your travel arrangements around the activities you would find most enjoyable on the island.
Wrapping Up, White sand beaches, a rich history and culture, breathtaking coral reefs, a marine park to explore, and luxurious lodgings can all be found on Mafia Island. Everything a paradise island might have to offer. The cherry on top may be its calmer, slower pace and the opportunity to enjoy nature away from crowds. Additionally, if diving is your passion, this is one place you won’t want to miss! Therefore, if you’re considering a trip to Tanzania, Focus East Africa Tours can assist you in creating a customized itinerary to maximize this really unique bucket-list option.
