Welcome to Mafia

Best Way to Swim
with Whale Sharks

The whale shark experience rates as one of the top wildlife experiences of all time… Unbelievable!”

It is one of life’s great privileges to swim alongside one of these gentle giants, and the season when these magnificent animals aggregate here is longer than anywhere else on the East African coast.

They occur in Mafia waters year-round but when the conditions are right they feed on the surface in the shallow waters on the western side of the island, close to Kilindoni and they are therefore easy to find. In this 6-month season, sometime between October and March we visit to swim with them.

Whale sharks are fascinating creatures: some live more than 100 years, reaching lengths of up to 20m and weighing in at 15 tons, yet they are totally harmless, feeding on enormous quantities of plankton that they hoover up as they swim.

No previous experience necessary. Swimming or diving is easy with snorkels only.

Mafia whale sharks
 
A Pristine, peaceful coastal tourism destination, Mafia Island is the only home for the whale sharks in Tanzania. Located 20 kilometers offshore from the eastern extent of the Rufiji delta on the southern coast of Tanzania.

We offer both land-based and water-based activities all around Mafia island. Some activities are seasonal, and others are available all year around.

Some activities require crossing or entering the Mafia Marine National Park, which implies paying a fee for each person participating.

Transport costs to and from the locations the activities vary depending on the number of people.

You can also contact us and ask for a discount when ordering a package including multiple activities.

We would also be happy to connect you with one of the island diving schools.

 

— Group prices & children rates available on request

Disclaimer:
All prices are based on $USD and per person sharing. Single Supplements apply.

Extra remarks
— We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
— Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes or park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.

Passenger Information
— Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris.
— All the passengers must have Identification Card/Passport with them for internal flights.
— Baggage on internal flights is strictly limited to 15kgs per person (including hand luggage). Any excess baggage will be charged by the airline at check-in

WATER BASED ACTIVITIES:

Activity

Price per personMarine Park fee per personInformationAvailability
Humpback Whale Watching$60$23,6min. 3 peopleJuly – October
Whale Shark Watching$50N/Amin. 2 peopleNovember – February
Chole Bay Snorkeling$25$23,6min. 2 peopleAll year around. Tide dependant.
Blue Lagoon Snorkeling$35$23,6min. 2 peopleAll year around. Tide dependant.
Marimbani Sandbank$35$23,6min. 2 peopleAll year round
Snorkeling outside the Marine Park$25N/Amin. 2 peopleAll year round
Picnic on Fisherman’s Island$35$23,6min. 2 peopleAll year round
Turtle Hatching$30$23,6min. 2 peopleMarch – July
Sunset Cruise + drinks (2 beers & coconut juice per person)$20Optional : $23,6min. 2 peopleAll year round.

LAND BASED ACTIVITIES:

Activity

Price per personMarine Park fee per personInformationAvailability
Island Tour + Grilled Lobster Lunch$60N/Amin. 3 peopleAll year round
Chole Island Walk : visit a traditional boatyard, fruits bats, ruins$10$23,6min. 2 peopleAll year round
+ $4 per extra person
Ras Kisimani + Fish BBQ on the beach$40$23,6min. 2 peopleAll year round
Hippo Watching$30N/Amin. 2 peopleAll year round
Kilindoni Market Tour$10N/Amin. 2 peopleAll year round
Visit the Kua Ruins$35$23,6min 2 peopleAll year round
Mlora Forest Tour$35$23,6min 2 peopleAll year round

How To Book And How To Pay:

To reserve this tour, a payment of 30% of the total price must be made at the time of reservation. The balance of 70% can be made 30 days before the departure of your tour. Your deposit can either be made through a Bank Transfer, with the addition of a 45 US Dollar fee or by Credit Card which incurs an additional bank charge of 3.5%.

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