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

Who runs the region

Local & official

Administration

Regional capital: Kilindoni
Districts: Mafia District
District Commissioner: Office of the District Commissioner, Mafia, Kilindoni
Regional Commissioner: Office of the Regional Commissioner, Pwani Region, Kibaha

Useful contacts

Tourist Police: Mafia Police, Kilindoni
Mafia Island Marine Park: Park headquarters, Utende
National emergency: 112