Mafia Island⚠ data unverified
Tanzania · Africa · Indian Ocean
3.7
/ 5
★★★★☆
Drift diving with a well-rounded site — a great fit for most divers.
Level Intermediate
Marine life
4.0
Visibility
4.0
Accessibility
3.2
Facilities
2.8
Pros
- Excellent visibility up to 20 m
- 3 standout marine species
- Best conditions in Oct–Mar
Cons
- Moderate currents can pick up
Best for
Plan your trip
$$$🛏️
Suggested stay
1–2 days
💸
Cost level
Relative cost $$$ · ≈ $109/day
Very remote — few operators means higher cost and fewer choices.
🏨
Where to stay
Day-boat diving based at a dedicated dive resort or dive centre. A quiet, remote site — book lodging well in advance.
🧭
Real daily cost in Tanzania
Around $109/day per person · food $38 · hotel $95
Good to know
- Moderate current that makes for an easy, relaxed drift.
- An Advanced Open Water certification is recommended.
- Prime season is Oct–Mar.
📷 Nina R from Africa · CC BY 2.0
Depth
5–30 m (16–98 ft)
Visibility
20 m (66 ft)
Water temp
25–29°C (77–84°F)
Current
Moderate
Best season
Oct–Mar
Certification
Open Water
Dive shops
3
Why go
Mafia Island is a reef site in the Indian Ocean off Tanzania, offering coral reefs and drift dives across its waters. Dives run to 30 m with around 20 m visibility, moderate currents and sea temperatures of 25–29°C. Marine highlights include whale sharks, turtles and corals. Best season is Oct–Mar, typically reached by boat. A good choice for divers with some experience. Open Water certification is sufficient for most sites here.
Site type
ReefDrift
Access
Boat
The moderate currents kept things interesting from start to finish.
Solid choice for intermediate divers. With a range down to 30 m there's room to work without pushing boundaries.
Great diving, great vibe. A place worth coming back to.