
Mafia Island Getaway
A small island for a real escape and some stunning diving and snorkelling opportunities.
Mafia Island Getaway
6 days from £625pp plus international flights
If you are looking for somewhere quieter than Zanzibar that still has plenty to keep you busy, then Mafia is a good choice for your island getaway. At just 30 miles long by 10 miles across it’s a manageable size to explore. We love the variety available on this island paradise, but the highlight is definitely the snorkelling and diving which is the main attraction.
Mafia has a tinge of adventure about it, a more off-the-beaten-track appeal than Zanzibar. It’s 435 sq kilometres with a population of about 47,000. The Mafia Island Marine Park is the major draw card, and it is teeming with exceptional biodiversity – over 400 species of fish and 48 types of coral in an underwater paradise ripe for exploration. From October to March you can swim with whale sharks, a magical experience*.
Whilst there are some lovely beaches here, they are often swallowed up at high tide, and at low tide they often go out so far as to make swimming difficult. So if you are specifically looking for a beach getaway, there are other places that might be more suitable.
You can make your time on Mafia as active or as relaxing as you wish – take it all at your own pace.
Diving
There are some superb world-class dive sites around Mafia. One of the best sites is Chole Bay where diving is possible all year round at depths from 5-27 metres. The reefs of the archipelago are simply beautiful.
If you haven’t learned to dive yet you can do it on Mafia, there’s a 5 star PADI dive centre on the island and it’s the perfect place to learn. If you prefer to keep it simple then snorkelling is the way forward in the warm calm waters of the sheltered bays and lagoons.
*We recommend using a company that operates responsible and ethical marine encounters, just ask us for our advice and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Highlights
- Small island, away from the crowds
- Choice of four small beach lodges
- Excellent for snorkelling and diving
- Sunset cruise on a dhow
- BBQ lunch on a tidal sandbar
- Swim with whale sharks*
Tanzania Travel Consultant
Talk to Chris
Start planning your tailor-made
holiday to Tanzania.
Tell us what you want,
and we will tailor make
your perfect trip.
Call: 01473 599084
Best places to stay on Mafia Island
We recommend four places to stay on Mafia Island – Butiama Lodge, Kinasi Lodge, Mafia Island Lodge and Pole Pole. See below for more details.
Pole Pole
- Small, quiet and personal
- Rustic but stylish
- Small beach surrounded by mangrove
- Pool, and spa treatments
2020 guide price pp based on 2 sharing exc. flights:
11 Jan – 31 Jul 2020, 01 – 30 Sep 2020 & 16 Nov – 19 Dec 2020 from £1325
01 – 31 Aug 2020, 01 Oct – 15 Nov 2020, 20 Dec 2020 – 10 Jan 2021 from £1495
Includes: 5 nights full board (excl park fees), airport transfers
Kinasi Lodge
- Large pool in lovely gardens
- Good stretch of beach
- Own water sports centre
- Very good spa
2020 & 2021 guide price pp based on 2 sharing exc. flights:
01 Jun – 2020 – 31 Mar 2021 from £735
Includes: 5 nights full board (excl park fees), airport transfers
Butiama Beach
- Laid-back, simple beach lodge
- Good long beach
- Decent size pool
- Further away from Chole & dive sites
2020 guide price pp based on 2 sharing exc. flights:
01 Jan – 31 Mar 2020 & 01 Jun 2020 – 31 Mar 2021 from £665
01 – 31 Aug 2020 & 20 Dec 2020 – 10 Jan 2021 from £745
Includes: 5 nights half board, airport transfers
Mafia Island Lodge
- Quite a large, simple lodge
- Aimed more at divers/snorkellers
- Decent size beach
- On Chole Bay
2020 & 2021 guide price pp based on 2 sharing exc. flights:
01 Jan 2020 – 31 May 2020 from £660
01 Jun 2020 – 30 Apr 2021 from £625
Includes: 5 nights full board (excl park fees) in superior room, airport transfers
Tanzania Specialists
Start planning your tailor-made holiday to Tanzania.
Tell us what you want, and we will tailor make your perfect trip.
Call: 01473 599084