When can I swim with whale sharks at Mafia?

The season runs roughly October to March, with November and December the most reliable months when the sharks feed in the shallow coastal waters off Kilindoni.

Is Mafia part of Zanzibar?

Culturally it belongs to the same Swahili archipelago, but administratively Mafia is a district of mainland Tanzania's Pwani (Coast) Region, not the semi-autonomous Zanzibar government.

How do I get to Mafia?

Most visitors fly a light aircraft from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar into Mafia Airport at Kilindoni; a slower ferry and dhow route runs from Nyamisati on the mainland.

Do I need to pay marine park fees?

Yes, visitors to the Mafia Island Marine Park pay a daily conservation fee, usually arranged through your lodge or dive centre.

Destination guide

Mafia Island

Whale sharks, Tanzania's first marine park and a diver's slow paradise

If something goes wrong

Emergency & health

Police

112

National emergency line

Ambulance / Fire

114

Also try 115

Your guide

Founder-vetted

Every guide knows the nearest help.

Hospitals & clinics

Mafia District Hospital

Hospital

Kilindoni

the island's main public hospital

View details & directions

Kilindoni dispensaries

Clinic

Kilindoni and villages

basic clinics for minor care across the district

View details & directions

Lodge dive medics

Clinic

Chole Bay lodges

resort first aid and diver support

View details & directions

Mafia Police

Police

Kilindoni

national emergency line 112

View details & directions

Insurance accepted for emergencies

Carry travel-medical insurance with emergency air-evacuation cover, ideally including AMREF Flying Doctors membership, as Mafia's medical facilities are basic. Serious cases and dive emergencies are flown to Dar es Salaam, so air-evac and DAN dive cover are strongly advised.

NHIF (national) AAR Insurance Jubilee Health Strategis Insurance AMREF Flying Doctors