WHALE SHARKS MAFIA ISLAND
Mafia island island is an island in the Mafia archipelago, which is made up of five islands. Mafia is the biggest one of then and following in size are Jibondo, Juani, Chole and Bwejuu.
The island is still pretty unexplored and it is a hidden gem in Tanzania. While the island offers some stunning reefs and is brimming with marine life, snorkeling with Whale Sharks in Mafia island will be the highlight of your trip.
From my 14 months stay in Tanzania I spent almost an entire month in Mafia island and I was lucky to swim with these amazing and friendly sea creatures.
In this guide I will share with you all you need to know to make the best of your snorkeling and swimming whale shark trip in Mafia island and I will share with you some photos and videos of my experience.
WHALE SHARKS MAFIA ISLAND VIDEO
Find here some footage of the whale sharks that I took during my snorkeling trip in Mafia island.
A video does not lie, and whale sharks encounters while snorkeling in Mafia island was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.
MY EXPERIENCE SNORKELING WITH WHALE SHARKS IN MAFIA ISLAND
My experience snorkeling with whale sharks in Mafia island was epic. I stayed at Afro beach bungalows in Kinondoni for a few days and took their whale sharks snorkeling tour.
We left early morning and traveled for a few km with the boat to the deep sea to the area where the whale sharks usually hang around. As we approached the whale sharks we were instructed to jump into the water when a whale shark was approaching and we were allowed to stay there for some time.
We jumped to the water and came back to the boat several times and what it could seem exhausting at first it did not feel like it as the sight of these friendly mammals was a truly spiritual experience.
ABOUT MAFIA ISLAND WHALE SHARKS
Mafia island is privileged world location to see whale sharks as researchers have found that they stick around the island all year round, which is not usual in other places.
As Whale Sharks are usually migratory. There are some months of the year during which whale sharks are not visible but they still stick around the island as it has been found by researchers who have tagged some of them.
There is a research station in the island where scientist are studying these beautiful creatures behaviors as well as making efforts to reduct the impact of fishing and tourism on the whale sharks.
MAFIA ISLAND LOCATION
Mafia island is located 199 Km South of Unguja island and South East of Dar es Salaam.
Find here a pin with the location:
HOW TO GET TO MAFIA ISLAND
You can get to Mafia island either by boat or by plane:
By organized tour: If you are short on time and you would like to visit Mafia island you can get a tour company to organized the trip for you. You can contact Bakari Phone Number and WhatsApp call: +255 655 385 109 from Tanzanian Wanderlust to organize your trip.
By plane: There are daily flights from Dar Es Salaam to Mafia island island that take 30 minutes.
The return ticket can range from 150 to 300 dollars, depending on the period of the year.
If you are on a short holiday this is the best way to get to Mafia island. Otherwise you will spend too long in the transportation.
Coastal Aviation and Auric Air are the two airlines that fly to the island.
By boat:
I only recommend this option if you are traveling slow as there is no clear boat or bus schedule and it can take you a very long time to get there.
The boat to Mafia island leaves from a little coastal village called Nyamisati and it does not leave everyday.
In theory there is a daily boat leaving to Mafia but that is not for sure so you will find out once you are there. The boat departs when it is full and it is also depending on the tides so you will need to have some time available to attempt this trip.
To get to Nyamisati you can only do it by bus. You need to get to Dar Es Salaam Mbagala bus station “Rangi Tatu”. The best way to get to the station is by Tuk Tuk or taxi. Once there take you need to walk or take other Tuk Tuk to Mwandege bus stop, it is just 10 minutes.
There is a bus leaving at 11:00 o’clok in the morning. I arrived early afternoon and had to sleep in a hotel near the station as there were not more buses for the day. The bus ride takes approximately 3 hours and you will be on time to take the 15:00 o’clock boat that arrives in Mafia just after sunset time. I watched the sunset from boat just before arriving to Kinondoni.
The ferry is pretty comfortable and you can buy a nice meal and coffee on board. I really enjoyed the trip and had a nice interaction with local people at the boat but you need to have enough time to make it. It took me a day and an half in total to get from Dar to Mafia island.
MAFIA ISLAND WHALE SHARKS SNORKELING TOUR
I did my tour with Afro Whale Shark Safari and the experience was great. I do not know about other tour companies in the island but they will offer you a second tour at a reduced rate if you do not spot Whale Sharks on the first tour.
If you book the tour package with TanzanianWanderlust that I mentioned above the tour will go through them.
Swimming with whale sharks on Mafia Island is an absolute must-do! Encountering these kind giants, one the the largest fish in the ocean, will leave your speechless. Their serene and majestic nature makes sharing the waters with them an absolute delight.
The tour sets off daily at 7 am, ensuring you’re picked up from your hotel at 6:30 am to make the most of the adventure. Lasting between 2 to 5 hours, this excursion into the whale sharks’ realm during their peak season (October to February) when they congregate in the bay to feed on plankton is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
While there’s no absolute guarantee of encountering these magnificent creatures as they roam wild, approximately 80% of tours successfully spot them and as I mentioned above, in the unlikely scenario that you will not spot them you will be offered a second tour at a reduced rate.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR MAFIA ISLAND SNORKELING
Swimwear: Comfortable and appropriate swimwear is essential for snorkeling. Opt for a rash guard or wetsuit for added protection from the sun and to keep warm in the water.
Sun Protection: Don’t forget sunscreen (reef-safe if possible), sunglasses with a strap to secure them, and a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face from the sun.
Snorkeling Gear: While some tour operators may provide snorkeling equipment, bringing your own can ensure a better fit. Pack a snorkel, mask, and fins. Consider a defogging solution for your mask to prevent it from fogging up during your swim.
Towel: A quick-dry towel is convenient for drying off after your swim. Microfiber towels are compact and dry fast.
Waterproof Bag or Case: Protect your belongings, especially electronics like cameras or phones, in a waterproof bag or case.
Water and Snacks: Stay hydrated throughout the tour. Bring a reusable water bottle and some light snacks to keep your energy up. Water and snacks are included in most tours but bringing tour own is always a good idea.
Motion Sickness Remedies: If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider taking or bringing remedies like ginger candies or motion sickness wristbands.
Extra Clothing: Bring a change of clothes for after the tour, especially if you plan to explore the island further or if there are showers available at the tour’s endpoint.
Cash: Bring some extra cash for any unexpected expenses or tips for the guides.
Underwater Camera: Capture the incredible moments with an underwater camera or a waterproof case for your phone if you wish to take photos.
FAQs: WHALE SHARKS MAFIA ISLAND
WHEN CAN YOU SEE WHALE SHARKS IN MAFIA ISLAND?
The best season to spot Whale Sharks in Mafia is from October to February, however the giant fish stays around the island all year round so there is a smaller chance to see them at all time of the year.
ARE THERE WHALE SHARKS IN MAFIA ISLAND?
Yes there are a lot of Whale Sharks in Mafia island and it is the only known place in the world where they stick around all year round.
In other places in the Whale Sharks migrate depending on the season.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SEE WHALE SHARKS IN MAFIA ISLAND?
The normal price of a snorkeling trip to Mafia island is 60 dollars.
WHERE CAN YOU SEE WHALE SHARKS IN ZANZIBAR?
Whale Sharks do not hang around Zanzibar and the chance of encountering one is really low.
WRAP-UP
It was not my first time having an encounter with these huge marine mammals. I had seen whale sharks in Thailand, while scuba diving in Sail Rock. These past experiences were cool but there was only one Whale Shark in sight. In Mafia there were many and we were lucky to spot them. The snorkeling trip was really one of the highlights of my stay in Tanzania and will be so happy to repeat in the future.
- BAGAMOYO: LAY DOWN YOUR HEART - April 5, 2024
- IRENTE VIEWPOINT LUSHOTO, USAMBARA MOUNTAINS - April 3, 2024
- 16 FACTS ABOUT BANGKOK - March 31, 2024
Hi! I am thinking about going to Mafia island for a few days because I am a passionate diver and I would like to see whale sharks again. I have been reading your article about the snorkeling trip and the experience looks amazing. If you have time, I would like to know a few thinks about the island from someone who has been living there 🙂 Is it very complicated and expensive to move around the island? Is it worth to stay there for a few days instead of Zanzibar?
Thank you very much for your tips! I’ve also read your article about the Usambara mountains where I a staying now and it was very helpful.
Hello Angela! Mafia island is amazing and I am sure you will enjoy it. However it is not that easy to travel as the island is not yet a big tourist destination. For diving you will be staying most likely in Utende and that is a bit costly as you need to pay the daily national park fee on top of your accommodation, even if you will not be diving. You can also stay in Kinondoni, and I recommend that for the days you will be doing the whale shark snorkeling tour as the whale shark snorkeling tours leave from there. The island is amazing, raw and unexplored but the issue is that there are not many accommodation options in the island. There is a woman offering Airbnb accommodation Bweni, on the North, but it is quite pricey. The best is to arrange a tour to visit the beaches up North or arrange a motorbike with a driver, while staying in Kinondoni. I stayed in Afro Beach Bungalows and it was amazing, also stayed up North but I paid too much for not having electricity, running water and have to pay super expensive meals and drinks for not so much quality. There was cheap food in the village but it was far away.