We've visited Mafia Island four times already for diving.
We love the vibe of the still rather unspoilt island and its welcoming people. Hakuna Matata is the mood here and we thoroughly enjoy it.
When we take a day off from diving, we take excursions to Chole Island or Juani Island. Both islands are located next to Mafia and they are fun to explore. Juani for example has a blue lagoon with non-stinging jellyfishes. Chole Island is a small island where mother nature took back ruins dating back to slavery times.
The highlight of Mafia Island is, of course, the diving!
We visit over and over again because the marine life is absolutely stunning and intact. And one can enjoy the magic nearly all alone. We have done many dives just the two of us (plus dive guide) and the maximum were 10 divers on one site. Heaven!
The waters around Mafia not only offer mountains of corals but also stunning marine life: frog fish, leaf fish, sting ray, eagle ray, nudis, green turtle, hawksbill, groopers, crocodile fish, barracuda, occasionally a nurse shark or a black tip shark. ..all can be found there.
Diving in Mafia is very tide-dependent so your schedule will vary every day. Also, it should be noted that dives outside the bay are only possible between October and March and are only available to advanced divers.
For the drift lovers, Mafia has an (outside bay) site called Kasa. While one drifts along huge green turtles appear. Magical!
Also, shore dives are a must in Mafia! Especially the night shore dives shouldn't be missed out on. We've rarely had such amazing dives than those.