Mafia island
Mafia island, despite its name, is not full of shady looking men carrying violin cases. Rather, it is a sleepy, sleepy island substantially further south than the Zanzibar archipelago, and for administrative purposes part of the Tanzanian mainland. It is still very undeveloped and features just a handful of small resorts, scattered across the island.
Access is by plane only, from Dar Es Salaam in the mainland – and you will land on an airstrip close to Kilondoni, the island’s largest town. Once you are here, one of the key activities is relaxation. Without the nightlife of Zanzibar, Mafia is much more about soothing the soul and becoming at one with nature.
Having said that, there are lots of opportunities to dive – the diving around Mafia is supposed to be some of the best in the world, and the snorkelling is also excellent. Mafia is also a fantastic place to see whale sharks. These vast but gentle creatures visit the seas around Mafia annually and are easy to see in season, from November to April.
Mafia is really more than an island, it is an archipelago in its own right, with lots of tiny islands and atolls that can be explored by boat. Not all hotels are next to the beach, so if a beach holiday is important to you, make sure you check this detail before booking. It’s not an easy destination for budget travellers, but ask around during low season and you might find a way to get access to Mafia’s extraordinary marine life at an affordable rate. Remember, sometimes the tourist high seasons are not the same as the best times for diving. Also, factor in to your budget the marine park fee of $20 a day.
But really you visit Mafia to relax and decompress from the stresses of modern life. So the best thing to do is to embrace the island life and let the most energetic thing you do be enjoy a seafood barbecue on an isolated sandbank.
