Mafia Islands

Turtle Haven

Mafia is an archipelago of islands at the mouth of the Rufiji river delta, composed of Mafia Island, Jibondo, Juani and Chole. Visitors today find essentially rural farming and fishing communities whose day to day lives continue in much the same pattern as has been traditional for centuries.

Mafia Island and the surrounding archipelago have a great deal to offer. The archipelago provides excellent opportunities for snorkelling, and for discovering deserted beaches and offshore islands filled with rich natural and historic interest.

The deeper channels around the islands are also renowned for world-class deep sea fishing, and home to at least two greatly endangered species; the docile dugong (manatee or sea cow) is still thought to find refuge cruising the seagrass between Mafia and the Rufiji River Delta, and the small islands around the archipelago remain a popular breeding ground for giant and green turtles.

These islands are an idyllic natural haven for birds and wildlife, with over 120 different species of birds sighted and recorded, (including five types of sunbird), and the whole area is best explored from the comfort of a yacht.

Chole Bay

Chole Bay, Mafia's protected deep-water anchorage, is part of a protected marine park. Its natural horseshoe shape is studded with lovely beaches. Outside the bay an unbroken reef runs the length of the island. The snorkeling here is exelent and includes colorful coral gardens, walls at various levels and many shelves and coral heads.

Fact File

Location - Off Coast of East Africa Between
39°35'E and 39°55'E
8 °05'S and 7 °35'S

Principal Towns - Kilindoni, Utende, Kilwa Kivinje

Shopping - Utende, Kilindoni

Languages - English, Swahili

Mafia Islands - North Fanjove, Kwale, Koma, Niororo, Shungu Mbili, Boydu, Chole, Jibondo, Juani, Jina, Okuza, Simaya, Nyuni, Pumbavu, Songa Songa, South Fanjove + 4 pristine Sandbanks

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