Explore Mafia Island

Mafia Island, part of Tanzania's stunning Spice Islands, is a diver's paradise renowned for its vibrant marine life and diverse dive environments. The island's unique ecology is protected as a marine park, supported by the World Wildlife Fund, making it a prime spot for underwater exploration. With most dive sites no deeper than 30 meters/98 feet, divers can enjoy the splendor of colorful coral reefs, walls, and wrecks teeming with life. The influence of the Rufiji River delta enriches the waters, attracting both reef fish and larger ocean species.

For those seeking adventure, Mafia Island offers a range of diving styles, from shore dives to guided boat excursions and even liveaboard options for extended exploration. Seasonal highlights include the chance to encounter majestic whale sharks between November and March. However, divers should plan carefully, as strong tides and seasonal conditions, particularly from April to May, can affect accessibility. With its rich biodiversity and breathtaking underwater landscapes, Mafia Island is a must-visit destination for any diving enthusiast.

Dive Activity

Diving in Mafia Island

Mafia Island, nestled off the coast of Tanzania, is a diver's paradise teeming with underwater wonders. The island offers a blend of shore and liveaboard diving options, catering to both novice and experienced divers. Among the top dive sites, "Chole Bay" stands out with its vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life. For those seeking wreck dives, "Kinasi Pass" features a fascinating wreck, attracting diverse fish species. Night dives unveil captivating nocturnal behaviors, such as hunting lionfish and bioluminescent plankton displays. Mafia Island promises unique dive experiences, ideal for adventurers looking to explore its rich underwater tapestry.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Mafia Island

Mafia Island, located off the coast of Tanzania, is renowned for its vibrant marine biodiversity. The surrounding waters host a variety of reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which are commonly seen by divers and snorkelers exploring the coral gardens. These colorful residents thrive year-round, making them a reliable sight for underwater enthusiasts. Seasonal highlights include the majestic whale sharks, typically observed between October and March. These gentle giants migrate through Mafia Island’s waters, offering a unique encounter for divers. Green and hawksbill turtles are also frequent inhabitants, with nesting occurring on the island’s beaches throughout the year. Additionally, eagle rays and various species of sharks can be spotted, particularly around deeper reefs and channels, providing thrilling experiences for those venturing into these diverse marine environments.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
365 Sightings
J
49
F
36
M
21
A
4
M
6
J
14
J
28
A
45
S
36
O
30
N
30
D
66
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
160 Sightings
J
24
F
32
M
8
A
2
M
3
J
5
J
8
A
13
S
17
O
4
N
17
D
27
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
149 Sightings
J
13
F
13
M
7
A
1
M
3
J
9
J
9
A
14
S
9
O
12
N
22
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
121 Sightings
J
5
F
14
M
5
A
1
M
1
J
6
J
4
A
27
S
20
O
5
N
25
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
85 Sightings
J
21
F
5
M
7
A
6
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
0
S
3
O
6
N
14
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
69 Sightings
J
10
F
6
M
7
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
8
A
9
S
5
O
6
N
9
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
368 Sightings
J
66
F
34
M
28
A
5
M
4
J
15
J
25
A
35
S
23
O
18
N
37
D
78

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
300 Sightings
J
47
F
28
M
22
A
12
M
2
J
12
J
17
A
33
S
18
O
26
N
45
D
38

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
283 Sightings
J
38
F
29
M
18
A
4
M
3
J
15
J
22
A
37
S
27
O
17
N
27
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
254 Sightings
J
35
F
31
M
10
A
1
M
3
J
3
J
18
A
33
S
34
O
12
N
39
D
35
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
235 Sightings
J
29
F
22
M
14
A
4
M
2
J
7
J
13
A
37
S
23
O
22
N
33
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
224 Sightings
J
17
F
27
M
5
A
1
M
3
J
4
J
12
A
35
S
27
O
29
N
36
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
217 Sightings
J
22
F
20
M
14
A
5
M
4
J
7
J
13
A
28
S
23
O
26
N
29
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
216 Sightings
J
16
F
24
M
4
A
1
M
2
J
4
J
20
A
33
S
28
O
24
N
32
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
171 Sightings
J
17
F
24
M
11
A
6
M
1
J
8
J
3
A
16
S
22
O
15
N
26
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
149 Sightings
J
5
F
26
M
5
A
1
M
2
J
1
J
9
A
21
S
26
O
9
N
24
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
134 Sightings
J
12
F
19
M
10
A
0
M
1
J
3
J
7
A
21
S
14
O
10
N
27
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
134 Sightings
J
14
F
8
M
10
A
1
M
2
J
6
J
9
A
22
S
12
O
10
N
26
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
119 Sightings
J
10
F
13
M
5
A
4
M
5
J
4
J
10
A
15
S
14
O
6
N
15
D
18

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
116 Sightings
J
7
F
19
M
4
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
2
A
18
S
17
O
17
N
16
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
114 Sightings
J
9
F
1
M
11
A
4
M
1
J
2
J
1
A
15
S
11
O
12
N
13
D
34
Alamy-WaterFrame

Common Seahorse
103 Sightings
J
14
F
14
M
13
A
5
M
2
J
1
J
4
A
6
S
2
O
12
N
11
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
90 Sightings
J
6
F
10
M
3
A
2
M
3
J
5
J
10
A
11
S
8
O
22
N
10
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
88 Sightings
J
10
F
4
M
8
A
1
M
2
J
3
J
5
A
10
S
10
O
5
N
7
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
70 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
8
A
1
M
1
J
5
J
1
A
11
S
5
O
10
N
11
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
69 Sightings
J
6
F
10
M
2
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
7
A
13
S
14
O
5
N
7
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
66 Sightings
J
5
F
2
M
6
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
5
A
7
S
12
O
7
N
9
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
58 Sightings
J
2
F
9
M
2
A
0
M
1
J
4
J
1
A
16
S
14
O
6
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
52 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
4
S
9
O
10
N
19
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Shutterstock-Laura Dinraths

Electric Ray
48 Sightings
J
5
F
4
M
6
A
1
M
1
J
4
J
2
A
1
S
3
O
1
N
8
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Cuttlefish
48 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
4
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
2
S
4
O
4
N
10
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
47 Sightings
J
10
F
1
M
3
A
5
M
1
J
2
J
1
A
2
S
2
O
7
N
5
D
8
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
45 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
3
A
6
S
8
O
0
N
8
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
44 Sightings
J
8
F
3
M
5
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
3
A
3
S
0
O
9
N
1
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
43 Sightings
J
6
F
5
M
4
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
3
A
5
S
6
O
3
N
7
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
39 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
6
S
7
O
3
N
13
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
33 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
1
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
5
S
1
O
3
N
7
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.

Flounder
33 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
6
A
2
M
1
J
2
J
3
A
2
S
3
O
3
N
3
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7

Alamy-WaterFrame

Crocodile
30 Sightings
J
5
F
6
M
3
A
3
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
10
D
1
SSI-Peter-Schinck

Leaf Scorpionfish
30 Sightings
J
9
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
3
A
2
S
2
O
3
N
7
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
30 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
0
A
1
S
6
O
0
N
13
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
21 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
3
S
2
O
3
N
5
D
1

The best Months to dive in Mafia Island

Mafia Island offers year-round diving with relatively consistent conditions. Water temperatures range from 25°C–29°C/77°F–84°F, providing a comfortable environment for divers throughout the year. Visibility typically extends from 15 to 30 meters/49 to 98 feet, depending on the season and weather conditions.

The best time for diving is generally from October to March when the seas are calm, and visibility is at its peak. During the southeast monsoon from April to September, winds and currents can be stronger, potentially affecting dive sites. However, diving is still possible, though conditions may be less favorable, with reduced visibility and choppier seas at times.

Dive Centers

Mafia Island Diving

PO BOX 89, MAFIA ISLAND, 00000 Mafia Island, TZA

Dive Sites

Mafia Island Diving ltd, 00000 Mafia Island

Tom’s Garden (★4.4)

A must do for macro enthusiasts, this site has a depth of 7 metres but can be extended if one wants to rear off the beaten track into the sand dunes. This dive site was named after one of our Instructor’s who stumbled upon this seahorse heaven by chance.
Mafia Island Diving ltd, 00000 Mafia Island

Pyramid (★4.5)

The dive starts around some coral bommies and small rock formations and slowly ascends to a shallow bank reef after passing the distinct formation of a pyramid.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Kitutia (★5.0)

Kitutia is a coral reef that surrounds a sandbank located 2.5 hours South of Mafia. This dive is planned as a full-day excursion, combined with a BBQ picnic and, in season, whale watching.
Scubapro

Mange Reef (★4.5)

Mange is a reef located 2 hours South of the dive centre, dived as part of a full day expedition combined with a sandbank picnic and whale watching, in season. The maximum depth is 18 meters, with beautiful shallows perfect for accompanying non-divers.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Juani South (★4.4)

Juani reef is one of the only true fringing reef complexes found in Mafia, running the full length of Juani Island on the seaward side. Here the reef slopes down to around 26 meters and is a favorite due to its pink/purple hue as a result of the corals found there.
Mares

Juani North (★4.3)

Juani reef is one of the only true fringing reef complexes found in Mafia, running the full length of Juani Island on the seaward side. Here the reef slopes down to around 26 meters and is a favorite due to its pink/purple hue as a result of the corals found there.
Mares

The Hill (★4.4)

Another Mafia Island Diving discovered site. The hill is a beautiful site characterized by a large hill of porites coral which develops into low laying hills of coral interspersed with seagrass and rubble.
Scubapro

Critters Alley (★4.6)

Critters Alley can be found just off the shore, at the edge of the drop-off at 7 meters deep. A sandy bottom dive, where one explores the patches of weed, small bommies, and pipe which was layed and abandoned.
Aqualung

Nudibranch City (★4.3)

Nudibranch City is named for its inundation of several different types of nudibranchs. The reef is a 300-metre swim off Utende Beach and lies around 9 metres deep. Here there is an abundance of soft corals and fantastic anemones.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Chekechea (★4.5)

Chekechea in Swahili means ’Kindergarten.’ This site is named Chekechea because it acts as a nursery for juvenile species. It is a very shallow dive site that is excellent for nervous beginners, photographers who want strong natural light, and any diver looking for muck diving encounters with rare critters.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Kasa (★4.4)

Kasa is a shallow, extremely colorful and lively reef where one can often see mature green turtle grazing in the seagrass. This site can experience some strong currents.
Scubapro

Msumbiji (★4.5)

Msumbiji in Swahili means Mozambique; why it was named this, nobody can really say. This site consists of several rock formations decorated with corals, algae, sponges, and anemones. The slopes and sheer walls start at around 3 meters and fall to a maximum of 17.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Chole Reef South (★4.4)

The reef starts at around 5 m and descends to 17 m, ending with sand and coral rubble where it is common to see scavenging titan triggerfish. We regularly see giant reef rays just a couple of meters of the reef resting on the rubble.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Chole Reef North (★4.3)

Chole Reef is a reefbank that is found lying northeast and southwest and is around 800 metres long. The reef starts at around 5 metres and descends to 17 m and ends in sand and coral rubble.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Marimbani (★3.8)

Marimbani is a sandbank located in Chole Bay. Off the Northern face of the sandbar, there is a muck diving site featuring some very peculiar creatures. The maximum depth is around 7 meters. This is an excellent dive to combine with a BBQ picnic.