Mafia Island

Mafia is little changed from ancient times and retains a traditional, friendly culture; and the community tourism association works hard to preserve this individuality. Chole Bay and its surrounding forests and islands are now within the protected Mafia Island Marine Park, supported with assistance from the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Getting there:

All flights to Mafia Island are via Dar es Salaam. The flight is 30 minutes and takes you directly to Mafia Island airport, from which transport will be arranged by the hotels you are staying with. Please see Coastal Aviations flight schedule for more information.

Facilities.

Click on the map for information on services and facilities within the Park.

 

Quicklinks ....

(Click to obtain a listing)

Camps Hotels Lodges Others

Featured operators :-

Bringing the reliability of a scheduled air service to the region.

Request information
Ask us for information on facilities and services in this area.

Opportunities
Coastal Aviation likes to promote quality services in this region. Please contact us for information on getting your facility or operation supported and promoted.

Request information
Ask us for information on facilities and services in this area.

Request information
Ask us for information on facilities and services in this area.

Request information
Ask us for information on facilities and services in this area.

Trip Advisor
An independant website for travellers wanting impartial advice.

Request information
Ask us for information on facilities and services in this area.

The reefs offer a range of corals and fish like no other in the Indian Ocean, and diving and snorkeling sites are just a short boat ride away. Isolated islets and beaches, lagoons, coves and channels provide many private swimming and picnicking hideaways. Chole Bay is perfect for windsurfing and laser sailing.

Bird-watching is excellent and very different to the mainland parks that guests may have visited. The tidal flats and mangroves are always alive with coastal and sea birds and there are many colourful woodland and forest species. There are also roosts of the unusual and fascinating giant Madagascan fruit bat to see on nearby Chole Island.

For the fisherman there is big-game fishing, light inshore sport fishing, and bottom fishing from fully equipped boats. And if you are really intrepid, you can arrange to go fishing in traditional style with local fishermen on their jahazis or ngalawas. Scuba diving and game fishing can also be specially arranged as camping safaris to the north end of Mafia or to Okuza, Nyuni and Njovi islands to the south of Mafia.

Visits to the villages, historic archaeological sites, coastal forests, coconut plantations, traditional boat-building yards, and other parts of Mafia Island complement the sea activities and add much more interest to a holiday, and will familiarise you with the lives of the people of Mafia, who are artisans, farmers, fishermen and sailors.

Karibu Tanzania !