Diving Mafia Island: Best Dive Sites, Marine Life and Costs

Divers who make the journey to Mafia Island are often surprised by what they find. Zanzibar has the name, but many experienced divers prefer Mafia: less developed, better protected, and with reefs in noticeably better condition.

Mafia Island Marine Park

Mafia Island Marine Park was established in 1995 as Tanzania's first marine park. It covers 822 square kilometres of reef, open water, mangrove and beach. The protection has made a real difference: the coral here is healthy compared with many Indian Ocean sites that have suffered from bleaching, dynamite fishing and anchor damage.

All visitors pay a marine park fee of $23.60 per person per day, which funds conservation and enforcement. When you book diving through us, the fee is included in the price.

Marine Life

The park is home to more than 400 species of fish. Over a few days of diving you can expect to see:

• Green and hawksbill turtles, which are very common, as Mafia has important nesting beaches


• Whitetip and blacktip reef sharks


• Manta rays, particularly around Kinasi Pass when the tide is running


• Large schools of snapper, batfish, barracuda and giant trevally


• Moray eels, lionfish, octopus and a great variety of nudibranchs


• Whale sharks in season, and occasionally dolphins in deeper water

The Best Dive Sites

Kinasi Pass: the best-known dive on Mafia. Strong tidal currents through the channel bring manta rays and large pelagic fish. Dive it on the incoming tide. For intermediate and advanced divers.

Chole Bay: the protected bay with several reef systems and very dense fish life. Good for night dives and suitable for all levels.

Forbes Bay: coral gardens, turtles on almost every dive and good visibility all year. A favourite with beginners and underwater photographers.

Dindini Wall: a remote site reached by a longer boat trip. The wall drops to 40 metres, with sea fans, soft corals, large groupers and frequent shark encounters on a reef that sees very few divers.

Juani Island: a shallow reef that suits beginners and night dives, with octopus, moray eels and nudibranchs.

When to Dive

You can dive on Mafia Island all year. From December to February the water is at its warmest, 27 to 29°C, and whale shark season is at its peak. From June to September conditions are also very good, with cooler water that draws large schools of fish and manta rays.

How Does Mafia Compare with Zanzibar?

Zanzibar has excellent diving in places, but the pressure of high visitor numbers shows on some reefs. Mafia receives a small fraction of Zanzibar's visitors, and the marine park has kept its reefs in better condition. If you have dived Zanzibar and want to see East Africa's reefs with less pressure on them, come to Mafia. More in Mafia Island vs Zanzibar.

What Diving Costs

A single dive arranged through Mafia Dream Hotel costs $120 per person, including equipment, boat, guide and the marine park fee. Night dives can also be arranged. If you plan several dives, ask us about a multi-dive price.

Arranging Your Diving

We arrange diving from the hotel with experienced local guides who know these sites well, from a single reef dive to a full week in the water. Tell us your certification level and what you want to see, and we organise the rest. Book your room online or message us on WhatsApp at +255 787 579 033. Rooms start at $65 a night with breakfast: see what is included.