Mafia Island Tanzania

Mafia Island and its surrounding archipelago including Jibondo, Juani and Chole is located 30 minutes flight south of Zanzibar. Mafia has a great deal to offer as an unspoiled, little-visited alternative to other Indian Ocean locations around Zanzibar and along the coast. However, as with Pemba, Mafia has better diving than Zanzibar. Mafia is the one island off Tanzania's coast that really encourages visitors to explore its offshore islands and sand bars. There are very few hotels here which only adds to the attraction of Mafia as the beach destination for for the adventurous traveller 
The central main island of Mafia is where most accommodation options are located, the smaller islands are fun to explore, with crumbling historical ruins now inhabited by a variety of different animals, from monkeys to wild pigs, fruit bats and bush babies.
Mafia is primarily known for its ocean glory; the Marine Park which was created to protect its reefs.  Do note that the beaches on the main island are not nearly as good as those on Zanzibar, but the diving, fishing and snorkelling are infinitely better.  Whereas Zanzibar has no diving for advanced divers, Mafia has challenging and rewarding dives for the advanced - as well as numerous sheltered bays and coves that are great for novice to intermediate divers.  Snorkelling is also magnificent.
  The atmosphere of all the islands is that of adventure; days are spent fishing or exploring exposed sand bars and untouched reefs. The diving on offer here is certainly the best in the entire region.  Perhaps a lodge only for those mad keen on making diving the central focus of their Tanzania holiday.


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