Top Things to do in Mafia Island
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8 Things to Do in Mafia Island That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Mafia Island, Tanzania including Mafia Island Diving, Big Blu Mafia Island Dive Centre, Mafia Marine National Park, Kitu Kiblu: Responsible Marine Encounters, Afro Whale Shark Safari, Yange Yange Safari, Ras Mkumbi, Mafia Island Safari.
Restaurants in Mafia Island
1. Mafia Island Diving
Overall Ratings
5 based on 273 reviews
Mafia Island Diving is Mafia Island's leading dive centre and the only one officially rated PADI 5 stars. It is run by a PADI Master Instructor and a PADI MSDT. We make a point for all our dive guides to be at least Divmasters. We offer the widest range of water and land based activities. Our dive sites are suitable for both beginners and advanced certified divers. We also offer PADI's full range of courses, from Discover Diving to Assistant Instructor and 15 different specialities. Divers and non-divers alike can also enjoy snorkelling, whale sharks excursions, whale watching, turtle hatching, birdwatching, island tours & picnics, jeep tours and much more.
Reviewed By DBOxon - Oxford, United Kingdom
Summary: Super safe; highly qualified; 5 Star Padi centre; Super kind and friendly!
This place is lovely. Whether you’re en experienced diver or just trying it for the first time Mafia Island Diving is the place to go. This place is more expensive than others but you can see why: Well maintained equipment, competent well trained staff, and good quality and safe boats. Personally, with a 5 Star PADI centre, is rather know and see that everything is done as safe as possible and pay a touch more, knowing the staff are well paid and everyone pays attention to giving you a safe and enjoyable trip.
I travelled with friends and family some of whom had previously dived and some who were very much borderline between trying and staying shoreside due to nerves. The staff made you feel welcome, with no pressure sales tactics, only information providing.
Once a small group of us decided to give the Taster Diving course (or similar name) a go, we had a 30 minute shore side introduction to diving, safety and the equipment we will use - note only non-qualified persons are required to do this or those with more than a few months since the last dive, from what I understand. The amazing guide (Luke from Oxford UK - instructions are available from a few others in up to 8 languages!! ) took us through these steps before our group of four split, to ensure a 2 diver to 1 instructor ratio, and put on our equipment to practice some diving skills in very shallow water (about 1-2 m - you walk in from the beach). The guides are very patient giving you clear instructions using every clear hand movement or signal to firstly show you them demonstrating before handing over to you to try one at a time. They give you good feedback (underwater) to insure you perform the skills correctly and safely, and then ask you to repeat if needed to make sure all is clear to you.
Once the skills are complete you are able to go on any one of the dives where the two to one ratio will maintain. The dive sites are beautiful and the best dives to do for the time and date will be told to you by the instructors based on the tides and conditions in the bay.
We truly found this place magical,
comfortable and friendly. Go to Mafia Diving!!!
2. Big Blu Mafia Island Dive Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Big Blu Mafia Island Diving Resort is an accommodation, restaurant and activity centre based on Utende Beach inside the Mafia Island Marine Park. With a prime beachfront location, we offer guests different accommodations to suit different budgets, a restaurant and bar overlooking the sea and a variety of excursions on land and sea. Our fully equipped diving centre offers the full range of PADI courses from beginner to the first professional levels, as well as snorkelling trips, island tours, sandbank picnics as well as many more. Guides and Instructors speak English, Italian, Spanish and Swahili. Karibuni sana :-)
Reviewed By Marcin S
I went with them for one day (2 dives) and it was excellent.
I visited them day before and sorted equipment (which was in very good condition)
Was told we leave at 6am and we left on time, (!)
on the boat there was complementary water, fruits and Sandwich.
The visibility and variety of coral and fish was great, guide was pointing if he spotted something interesting, and we dive in an easy and relaxing pace with time to take pictures.
They use amazing boats - wooden Tanzanian ones adapted for diving operation with roof Terrace so you can lay down there and relax between dives.
3. Mafia Marine National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By silviazucconelli - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Amazing snorkeling experiences where you can find many different species of fishes, turtles and much more. Nice walk on Chole Island if you want to know more about th Arab time, see the village and the famous "Bats"that dominate the island from the trees.
4. Kitu Kiblu: Responsible Marine Encounters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Kitu Kiblu: Responsible Marine Encounters offers half-day trips to individuals and groups who wish to view and hopefully swim with whale sharks, learn about their biology and ongoing conservation issues and efforts. Your itinerary: pick up at 6am from hotel, breakfast and educational briefing, whale shark search on a traditional sailing dhow, snorkeling, return to camp for showers & debrief!
Reviewed By HGR221 - Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
My husband and I went snorkeling with whale sharks this past weekend and had a fantastic time! We had a lovely simply breakfast while getting briefed on the day and then got our gear before heading out to the boats. While there were perhaps 12...MoreThanks for taking the time to write this. It is hugely appreciated.
5. Afro Whale Shark Safari
Overall Ratings
5 based on 81 reviews
Afro whale shark Safari abd Hostel is the local onwer who experienced in Tourism . Afro experiebced and stayibg Nafia Island
6. Yange Yange Safari
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Yange Yange Safari is a new company based in Utende, Mafia Island running local tours with local guides. In addition to providing Island tours Yange Yange also organise accommodation on and transport to the Island to fit your budget. Explore the local culture, snorkel above coral reefs, visit ruins or watch whales, whalesharks and hippos with experienced local guides. Karibuni Wote!
Reviewed By John S - Sheffield, United Kingdom
We spoke to a few different companies before we decided to go with Ussi and Becca. They sorted us out as much as possible in our two trips so we could spend the whole day in the Marine Park, that way we didn't have to...MoreThank you for your review. We thoroughly enjoyed working with you and your friends and hope you enjoyed your travel after leaving the island. Best wishes, Becca
7. Ras Mkumbi
Overall Ratings
3 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Veringtentje - Alkmaar, The Netherlands
I went there the other day, and even tho it was quite nice, especially the view when you're up there, I'm not really sure if it's worth the trip there. It took me approximately 2 hours to get there with a tuktuk. All this for a 10 minute view. I liked it, but wouldn't do it again.
8. Mafia Island Safari
Mafia Island Safari offers and organizes sea and land tours and excursions across Mafia Island in Tanzania; including whale shark watching, sand bank trips, sunset cruise and historical site visits.
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