Mafia Island, a tourist paradise in Tanzania
MAFIA Island is one of the six districts of the Coast Region in Tanzania; Mafia Island is governed from the Mainland, not from the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar politically.
According to the 2002 Tanzania census, the population of the Mafia District was 40,801 and its economy is based on fishing, subsistence agriculture and the market in Kilindoni.
Hopefully Mafia Island will not become the ‘next destination’ but remain an eco-friendly niche.
Currently there are about 3000 to 4000 overnight stays annually on the island.
Whale sharks and Humpback Whales can be found in the waters surrounding Mafia Island, as can turtles and so rumor has it so can dugong.
With white sandy beaches, dazzling aquamarine waters and refreshingly few tourists, Mafia is often described as Zanzibar 30 years ago.
A laid-back eco-alternative with no tarmac roads, few hotels, no shops, no ATMs (credit cards are accepted at the up-market lodges) which is not geared for mainstream tourism.
Be warned, if you want fancy shops and a wild nightlife.
The Mafia archipelago consists of one large island (394 km2 (152 sq mi)) and several smaller ones.
Some of the smaller ones are inhabited, such as Chole Island (2 km2 (0.77 sq mi)), with a population of 1415.
Chole Bay, Mafia’s protected deep-water anchorage and original harbour, is studded with islands, sandbanks and beaches.
Also the main transport boats depart daily from the village of Nyamisati on the mainland to Kilindoni on Mafia Island in a journey that takes approximately 4.5 hours.
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Apart from the Mafia Islands there are some of the tiny isles, which surround it namely Bwejuu Island that sits between Ras Kisimani and the Rufiji Delta, let alone being palm covered with dots of sand bars and snorkelling reefs.
There are all-day excursions by boat from Kilindoni for beach-lovers and those looking for a castaway experience.
Beautiful beaches and fabulous swimming along the edge of the Ras Kisimani point and off the reefs and sandbars of Bwejuu.
