Destination guide
Mafia Island
Whale sharks, Tanzania's first marine park and a diver's slow paradise
What's there
Places to visit
Park
Mafia Island Marine Park
Tanzania's first marine park, protecting reefs, mangroves and seagrass around Chole Bay and its islands.
Natural Feature
Chole Bay
The sheltered, coral-rich bay at the heart of the marine park, the base for most diving and snorkelling.
Lodging
Chole Mjini
A tiny mangrove-fringed island of atmospheric 19th-century ruins, a baobab-shaded village and a famous eco-lodge.
Historical Landmark
Kua Ruins, Juani Island
The overgrown remains of a Shirazi Swahili town of mosques and tombs, reached by dhow across the bay.
Kilindoni
The island's capital and main port, with a lively fish market and the airport gateway to Mafia.
Whale shark grounds off Kilindoni
The plankton-rich coastal waters where whale sharks gather to feed in season, the island's headline attraction.
Hotel
Ras Mbisi
A quiet west-coast beach of pale sand and casuarina trees, good for sunsets and relaxed stays.
Island
Juani turtle beaches
Protected nesting beaches and a tidal lagoon where green turtles can be seen up close under guidance.