Mafia Island is not part of the Zanzibar Archipelago. It is part of the Mafia Archipelago, which lies to the south of the Zanzibar Archipelago. Both archipelagos are located off the coast of Tanzania but are distinct from each other. The Zanzibar Archipelago includes the main islands of Unguja (often referred to as Zanzibar) and Pemba, while the Mafia Archipelago includes Mafia Island and several smaller islands. Mafia Island is a perfect escape from the fast pace and busy daily life. This island is still pure and untouched, which means there are no tarmac roads and only few tourists. It’s like Zanzibar a few decades ago. The atmosphere is peaceful and the islanders are very friendly. Mafia Island is surrounded by some of the richest coral reefs in the world. Almost half of Mafia’s coastline is part of the Mafia Island Marine Park, a park full of coral reefs, mangrove forests and lagoons. This is the largest protected area in the Indian Ocean. The barrier reef is a dream to divers and snorkelers. It has 50 different corals and more than 460 species of fish! Mafia’s incredible and pure dive spots have remained a well-kept secret. Mangrove forests surround most of the island, therefore the deserted beaches are not as wide as the ones in Zanzibar, yet still beautiful.
Mafia’s incredible and un-spoilt dive sites have remained a well-kept secret of diving aficionados and beach recluses for years, but now the island is fast becoming a preferred destination. For centuries, the Island was a trading stop for Shirazi merchants travelling up towards Persia and under the rule of the Omani Sultanate in Zanzibar, vast coconut and cashew plantations flourished. Today, all that remain of the Island’s prestigious past are the Coral ruins on Chole Mjini, the small Island just off shore from Mafia where the Arab land owners lived a sumptuous life after being removed from their Plantations and Slaves.
The dazzling marine life is the main feature of the island. This is the place to spot humpback whales, turtles and the biggest fish on earth – the whale shark. Thus, Mafia Island is a unique place for travellers and honeymooners to unwind after their Tanzania Safari.
Rarely visited and much quieter even than Pemba, Mafia, and its surrounding islands are a diver’s paradise. Giant groupers, rays, turtles, and whale sharks all frequent its warm, clear waters. Mafia Island and its reefs are renowned 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. The sand is white and pure and one can always swim, despite tidal changes and the complete isolation from any other tourist facility or commercial activity of any kind. Solitude, nature, complete relaxation.
The Mafia Archipelago hosts antiquities dating back to the Eleventh Century, including ruins at Kisimani Mafia, Kanga, Kua on Juani Island and Chole Island. These include a beautiful, barrel-vaulted mosque of the Fifteenth Century and a number of well-preserved buildings of the latter half of the Eighteenth Century, providing great interest for the methods of construction and the ancient architecture.
The atmosphere of all the islands in Mafia is one of adventure: days are spent fishing or exploring exposed sand bars and untouched reefs, however the main appeal for many visitors is that it remains locked in a time warp of the early 20th Century. Surrounded by a protected marine park, the diving, fishing and snorkeling here are the best in the entire region. Mafia is truly an excellent destination for those wanting to spend a bit of time in the underwater world and interested in nature and outdoor activities. Known for it’s location of the migratory Whale Sharks, spotting these magnificent creatures is an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
The marine park at Mafia Island extends over 822 km2, with more than 75% of it below the high-water mark. The area hosts an outstanding mosaic of tropic marine habitats including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and inter- tidal flats. Two species of sea turtle use Mafia’s beaches as nesting grounds and the area has been recognized internationally as a critical site for biodiversity. Several sites of historic ruins lie within the marine park area, some dating back to the C13th. Mafia Island’s separation from the mainland and its freedom from industrial development have ensured that its surrounding waters are some of the least contaminated in Tanzania. The marine park area has national importance as one of the few remaining reef complexes within Tanzania’s coastal waters in relatively untouched condition.
