6 Days
6-Day Zanzibar Island Extension
a quote
Destination · Marine park
Mafia Island
Whale sharks, coral reefs and a marine park away from the crowds
A quiet, unspoilt island south of Zanzibar, ringed by a protected marine park — Tanzania's premier destination for diving, snorkeling and swimming with whale sharks.
south of Zanzibar, off the Rufiji delta
Region
Mafia Island Marine Park
Size
light-aircraft flight from Dar/Zanzibar
Access
3–5 nights
Ideal stay
Highlights
Seasonal whale-shark encounters
Pristine coral reefs in Mafia Island Marine Park
Far fewer tourists than Zanzibar
Turtle nesting and superb diving
Laid-back, castaway atmosphere
Top experiences
Snorkeling alongside whale sharks (in season)
Scuba diving the marine park's reefs and walls
Dhow trips to sandbanks and Chole Bay
Watching turtle hatchlings (seasonal)
What makes it special
It's the anti-Zanzibar — remote, low-key and marine-focused, with one of the few reliable places on Earth to snorkel with whale sharks.
Good to know
Whale sharks are seasonal (roughly October–March). Fewer resorts and flights than Zanzibar, so book ahead. Best for divers, snorkelers and true beach-escape seekers.
Best time & how to combine it
October–March for whale sharks and calm seas. A specialist alternative to Zanzibar for a safari beach extension.
