Tanzania

Mafia Island

Mafia Island, situated in Tanzania, is a well-liked destination for activities such as sports fishing, diving, and beach vacations. This island is recognized for its conserved wildlife and mostly unoccupied beaches that have underdeveloped infrastructure.

Chole Bay, the most advanced and favored beach on the island, offers diving opportunities to witness numerous fish and coral species. There are several accommodation options available on the island, such as hotels, apartments, and lodges for travelers, and modes of transportation typically include walking, renting a jeep or utilizing dhow boats.

Local places of interest include Kua ruins and perennial pools of coral rocks, and the island is also home to giant fruit-eating bats.

Discover places to stay near Chole Bay on Mafia Island and enjoy the vibrant marine life through exhilarating diving experiences.

The recommended time to visit Mafia Island is from July to March, with the rainy season occurring in April, May, and November, and high temperatures in February.

Visitor Reviews

Visitor reviews highlight that Mafia Island Diving provides an excellent diving experience with friendly, professional, and knowledgeable staff who make visitors feel like friends. The equipment is good quality, and the dive sites are great. Visitors love the spacious outdoor area and sunbed to relax after diving. However, some visitors complain about not being able to dive in the outer sites due to bad weather.

Where to Stay near Mafia Island?

Visitors to Mafia Island often stay in areas close to Chole Bay, which is the most developed beach area offering easy access to diving and other water activities. Accommodations near Chole Bay include lodges and hotels that are within walking distance to the beach, making it a convenient choice for those seeking a beach vacation.

The following map shows available accommodations and their prices. See the full list of accommodation options here.

Where is Mafia Island?

Latitude: -7.9724157 / Longitude: 39.74919

Mafia Island is located in Tanzania. The following map of Mafia Island shows the exact location.

Mafia Island: Weather Today

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
Today is a disappointing day for a beach visit on Mafia Island. With light rain falling on and off, the atmosphere feels quite damp and unsettled, making it less than ideal for lounging on the sand. The air temperature reaches a high of 27.1 °C, and while the sea remains inviting at 26.6 °C, the rough waves and blustery winds create choppy water conditions that are not suitable for casual swimming. Because the sun will still be quite strong through the clouds, the UV Index is 8.75, meaning you should be very careful about sun exposure even if it feels cool. It is best to stay indoors or plan for a different day, as the combination of rain and choppy sea will likely ruin your time by the water.
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Air

Low / High24°C/27.1°C
Feels Like (High)30.1°C
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Sea

Sea Temperature26.6 °C
Wave Height1.5 m
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Rain

Rain Chance69%
Rainfall2.1 mm
Rain Duration10 h
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Sun

Sunrise / Sunset06:13/18:17
Sunshine Hours11.7 hrs
UV Index8.75
Cloud Cover27%
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Wind

Speed22.1 km/h
Gusts40 km/h
DirectionSE

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