Introduction

Mafia Island lies off the mouth of the Rufiji River in Southern Tanzania. The island is accessed by small aircraft from Dar es Salaam, or by sailing boat from Kisiju (the nearest point on the continent). Mafia has limited infrastructure, mostly in its capital and in Utende, the main tourist area. At the same time, the island is becoming renowned for its diving sites, which are now protected in the Mafia Island Marine Park.

Travel facts

Diving type

Destination

easily accessible

bargain destination

Diving level & type

for beginners

for advanced divers

shore diving

liveaboard

Diving Characteristics

pelagics

lots of fish

lots of corals

interesting underwater scenery

Other activities

attractive natural spots

gastronomy

night life

beach

snorkeling

Diving Sites

• 

  Dindini North I

  rating : 4.0

  depth : 23 m
  description :
  
  Diving in the open sea, on a 2-kilometer-long reef around Mafia. The dive site is reached in 20 minutes by zodiac, on slightly choppy seas.
  Among all the encounters man can have with the inhabitants of the sea, there is one that is mythical: that with the whale shark. And it was on this site that we had the privilege of meeting the largest of all fish, measuring around 9 meters in length. The moment of the encounter is particularly impressive, mainly because of the enormous size of this fish, which is absolutely harmless.
  This dive, which was easy due to the lack of current, also offered other interesting sights - barracudas, groupers, napoleons and schools of fish. The soft coral is also very healthy. A wall is present from 13 to 25 meters.
  
  
• 

  Dindini North II

  rating : 4.0

  depth : 15-25 m
  description :
  
  Also a magnificent dive, with an exuberant fauna: scorpionfish, stonefish, parrotfish, napoleons, groupers, starfish of all shapes and colors, etc. We were also followed for 5 minutes by one of the groupers, confirming that the fish here are not at all intimidated by divers.
  
  
• 

  Dindini South I + II

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 25 m
  description :
  
  Dive sites full of fishes in a slightly calmer sea. Lots of scorpionfish, often seen in families of 4 or 5. Large triggerfish, as well as two moray eels together in the same hole (which is quite rare). Also a stingray and a turtle. But above all, schools of fish particularly impressive by their large size.
  
  
• 

  Kinasi Pass

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 30 m
  description :
  
  Inside the lagoon, between the islands of Mafia and Chole, a 30-minute boat ride from Mafia Lodge. The dive starts around a potato, then the coral plateau is reached by cutting through a strip of sand. The dive then proceeds to a depth of around 30 meters: rays, crocodile fish, turtles, octopus, scorpion fish and large napoleons have all been encountered. One of the features of this site is the presence of tunnels through which divers can pass.
  
  
• 

  Kinasi Wall

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 28 m
  description :
  
  A coral plateau with huge anemones, families of clownfish and soft coral in predominantly violet colors. This dive in the lagoon is done exclusively at high tide, to avoid stirring of the seabed which would render the visibility very limited. A site where many fishes can be observed.
  
  The return to land can, on request to the divemaster, be made by sail. You can then admire a magnificent sunset over the lagoon (1 additional hour required).