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By Kisa van den Berg Special Story October 22, 2025

SPECIAL TANZANIA'S TREASURE

Mafia Island is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets, boasting pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. The island and its surrounding seas form a protected marine park, where visitors can snorkel or dive alongside majestic whale sharks.

Quieter than Zanzibar, Mafia Island has become a favorite destination for travelers seeking peace and authenticity. After an adventurous safari in Tanzania, this serene island offers the perfect escape to relax and recharge.

With its tranquil, laid-back atmosphere, the island is perfect for unwinding. Its unspoiled coral reefs, mangroves, and sandy shores make it a paradise for diving, snorkeling, and encounters with marine wildlife.

One of the island’s biggest attractions is the chance to see whale sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitats.
 

A strong focus on eco-tourism and conservation ensures these experiences are enjoyed responsibly while supporting local communities. Visitors also gain a genuine glimpse of Swahili island life, with small villages and fewer tourist-focused facilities, offering a truly intimate and authentic escape.

Mafia Island, located on Tanzania’s Swahili Coast, boasts a rich history spanning over a thousand years.

It was an important trading hub linking East Africa with Arabia, Persia, and India, contributing to the rise of Swahili culture and Islam. The island still holds fascinating ruins such as ancient mosques and coral-stone settlements on Chole and Juani that reveal its prosperous past. Later ruled by the Omani Arabs, then the Germans and British, Mafia Island played a small but strategic role in World War I.

Today, it’s historically intriguing for its blend of African, Arab, and European influences, preserved ruins, and its role in early Indian Ocean trade.

The primary language on Mafia Island is Swahili (Kiswahili), although locals also speak a distinct dialect known as Kimafia, and English is widely understood in tourist areas.
The island’s culture reflects a unique blend of African, Arab, and Persian influences, shaped by centuries of trade along the Indian Ocean. Most residents are Muslim, and daily life follows Islamic traditions, with essential celebrations such as Ramadan and Eid marked by communal feasts, music, and dance.
Traditional activities, such as fishing, dhow boatbuilding, and weaving, remain integral to everyday life. Meanwhile, taarab music and local dances unite the community during weddings and festivals. Life on Mafia Island unfolds at a peaceful, coastal pace, rooted in hospitality and a deep respect for nature.

CLIMATE

Mafia Island is warm year-round, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 °C. The sea stays warm, 26 to 29°C. Rain seasons on Mafia are from March to May (long rains) and November to December (short rains). The rain can be heavy at times, often in short, intense bursts, but it usually doesn’t last all day. Most days still have sunny periods between showers.

HOW TO GET THERE

There are daily/direct domestic flights from Dar es Salaam to Mafia (Kilindoni). Flight time is short, about 30 minutes (starts at USD 160 one way). Mafia Island holds over 66.000 inhabitants and is considered one of the safer regions in Tanzania for tourists.

MAIL KISA