Experience The Blue World

Enjoy activities like Diving, Snorkeling, Whale Shark Excursions and Kayaking in Mafia Island.

Diving

MAFIA ISLAND AND ITS REEFS ARE RENOWN AS AN EXCELLENT, WORLD-CLASS DIVING DESTINATION.

Scientists have confirmed that Mafia has some of the richest reefs in the World, with an unparalleled variety of hard and soft corals and diversity of tropical fish. We have dived on fabulous sites from Mafia to Kilwa offering shallow to deep reefs of immense beauty and richness, bommies, channels, walls and caves, drift and night dives. These are new sites and we have years of exploration still to do.

We are indebted to FRONTIER Tanzania for some of the information in the text which follows. Their report on the diving in Mafia – The Guide to the Diving of Mafia Island: an Unexplored Paradise.

See Mafia Island best Diving Spots

MSUMBIJI

This site consists of a small primary reef with a variety of soft and hard corals on slopes and sheer walls down to 15 m. Away from the central formation are spires of coral that provide archways and overhangs for the diver to explore. Beautiful anemones of fluorescent red colour and rays (especially blue spotted) are common. This site is a good introductory dive but has unpredictable visibility conditions.

MILIMANI REEF

Extremely picturesque with unusual coral formations through which the diver navigates. Spectacular layered coral peaks. This is followed by vast Porites formations that are dome-like, with many lionfish, glass fish and moray eels. From here it slopes away to 21 m with a wide variety of soft and hard corals. This site is good in all conditions as it is only slightly affected by currents; an excellent second dive.

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Snorkeling

A number of the reefs around mafia are both snorkelling and dive sites, with shallow reef sloping away to walls.

The snorkelling here is truly excellent for the beginner and those more experienced. The shallow water and constant tidal movements provide excellent light, showing off the wonderful colours of both soft and hard corals.

See Mafia Island best Snorkeling Spots

CORAL GARDENS

Located on the shallow reef backing the Chole and Kinasi Walls; the maximum depth is 8 m and the snorkeller is usually in 3 to 6 m. A very extensive and superb photographic site with numerous coral “bommies” in seagrass and sand patches. A high diversity of reef fish with each “bommie” demonstrating a small world of great colour and variety. Stands of “fire” coral (Millepora spp).

KINASI PASS ISLETS

The two larger islets in the main Kinasi Pass (Kisiwa Kubwa, Kisiwa Ndogo) are superb snorkelling sites with protected anchorages in sand on the inner, Bay side. There are scattered “bommies” and shallow reefs between and around the islets. Lionfish and the Titan triggerfish are very common. Open-billed storks, hadada ibis, little egrets and fish eagles are resident on the islets. A small pool, hidden in the centre of the largest islet, can be reached by swimming through a narrow channel in the rock. Small groups of nocturnal cardinal fish lurk in the shady crevices. The “bommie” adjacent to the largest islet falls away to about 15m and houses a fascinating complex of corals and fish.

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Whale Shark Excursions

Snorkeling with whale sharks in Mafia

These beautiful giants are seasonally found just a few hundred metres offshore near kilindoni harbour. A short boat ride towards the west brings us to a feeding ground for the sharks and soon fins and dark shapes are apparent.

Kinasi operates its own whale shark excursions for guests, in order to ensure an unforgettable experience with best practice protocols of swimming with whale sharks with minimal impact on their behavior. This is not always easy with excited visitors experiencing this amazing adventure for the first time and boat captains who wish to please them; in the past has led to situations with too many swimmers in the water at the same time (especially when there are few sharks around and there are several boat-loads of people from different hotels. There are currently five registered and licensed operators with a total of seven boats, so careful management is required.

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Excursions

SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS

with Blue World Diving & Watersports at Kinasi Lodge.

KILINDONI

Whale Shark Excursion Area.

The excursion takes place near Kilindoni, our District Center. The diagramme below illustrates the main feeding area of the sharks. Whale sharks are the worldʼs largest fish and an iconic species for marine tourism. They aggregate at a small number of coastal locations around the world. Mafia Island is perhaps the most reliable spot to see whale sharks in Africa. The Marine Megafauna Foundation, together with Tanzanian and international collaborators, has been conducting research studies of whale sharks at Mafia Island since 2012 (Source: Rohner & amp; Peierce Marine Megafauna Foundation Report 2019).

Kayaking in Mafia Island

Mafia Island has great spots for kayaking and at both Kinasi and Lua cheia you’ll find free kayaks for touring the bays and beaches and for exploring the little islands around Mafia.

We have both single and double touring kayaks, so great fun for couples to paddle away for an excursion alone. As they can go into very shallow areas kayaks are fun at all times. The kayaks are also designed to carry a cool box for drinks and snacks and have ‘dry’ compartments for storing towels and cameras. And best of all the kayaks are free-of-charge to our guests.

Your Excursion Guides will tell you where to go and organise the kayaks for you.

Plan an Unforgettable Experience in Mafia Island!

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