Mafia Island

Mafia Island and the surrounding archipelago have a great deal to offer as an unspoiled, little-visited alternative to other Indian Ocean locations around Zanzibar and along the coast.

Mafia Island attractions :
	Excellent for diving and snorkelling
	Hidden beaches
	Deep sea fishing
	Unique fish and reefs
	Fantastic Wildlife

Located 120kms south of Dar es Salaam. Mafia is an unspoiled, uncommercial, timeless island, where local people go about their traditional businesses apparently completely detached from the outside world. Just a short twenty-minute flight from Dar es Salaam, across the great Rufiji River delta, Mafia is large and flat, with a sandy landscape that is more similar in character to the mainland than to the coral rag of Zanzibar or the hilly fertility of Pemba.

The archipelago provides excellent opportunities for diving and snorkelling, and for discovering deserted beaches and offshore islands.

Mafia Marine Highlights
The deeper channels around the islands are also renowned for world-class deep sea fishing, and home to at least two greatly endangered species; the docile dugong (manatee or sea cow) is still thought to find refuge cruising the sea grass between Mafia and the Rufiji River Delta and the small islands around the archipelago remain a popular breeding ground for giant and green turtles.

The major tourist activities are scuba diving, big game fishing, snorkelling, beach and offshore excursions. Mafia is a paradise for fishermen, divers and water sport lovers.The water is beautifully transparent on Mafia Island, and the variety of the coral permits an unimaginable quantity of fish. The waters are unsurpassed in beauty and there are fantastic views of the unspoiled coral reef. With its fine sandy beaches, swaying palms and lush vegetation, Mafia is the ideal spot to relax and unwind after a great African safari. 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.

The reefs offer a range of corals and fish like no other in the Indian Ocean, and diving and snorkelling 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.