Mafia Island
INDIAN OCEAN TANZANIA
SCUBA DIVING
IN MAFIA ISLAND
DIVING
IN MAFIA
ISLAND
Mafia Island Marine Park is a pristine sanctuary off the coast of Tanzania, offering a unique blend of biodiversity and conservation. Established in 1995, it is the country’s first marine park, covering the southern half of Mafia Island and parts of the northeast. This marine park is a haven for nature enthusiasts and conservationists alike, providing a rich and vibrant ecosystem that supports a wide variety of marine and terrestrial life.
5 Reasons to
Scuba Diving around Mafia Island
Experiences
Diving Spots
Msumbiji
Msumbiji
This site consists of a small primary reef with a variety of soft and hard corals on slopes and sheer walls down to 15 m. Away from the central formation are spires of coral that provide archways and overhangs for the diver to explore. Beautiful anemones of fluorescent red colour and rays (especially blue spotted) are common. This site is a good introductory dive but has unpredictable visibility conditions.
Milimani
Milimani Reef
Extremely picturesque with unusual coral formations through which the diver navigates. Spectacular layered coral peaks. This is followed by vast Porites formations that are dome-like, with many lionfish, glass fish and moray eels. From here it slopes away to 21 m with a wide variety of soft and hard corals. This site is good in all conditions as it is only slightly affected by currents; an excellent second dive.
Kinasi Pass
Kinasi Pass
After completing a tour of the Pinnacle the diver heads south-west to the side of the channel, the Kinasi Pass dive, rightfully famous as a stunning drift dive. The Pass has two walls, commencing with a deep 20-26 m shelving reef, then a shallower one at 6-15 m. The diver floats along a wall with small caverns and overhangs, with great shoals of juvenile and adult reef fish, barracuda and carangidae that sometimes block out the light, a vast array of corals, parrotfish, large groupers and pelagics coming and going with the tide. A fantastic dive.
The Pinnacle
The Pinnacle
The Pinnacle is a 12 m spire of ancient coral rock (7o57’005S/39o47’850E) lying in the inner Kinasi Pass, close to the last rock island. Maximum depth is 24m at the base of the spire. This is a spectacular dive for the unusual structure and the mixture of reef and pelagic fish in the channel. Home to a very large potato cod and a very large resident moray in a hole on the “whale-back” of rock that slopes off the western side of the stack and many giant batfish.
The Coral Patches
The Coral patches
This site comprises three extensive and spectacular coral patches at 9 to 17 m that are separated by sand channels. The many species of coral are packed around the ancient Porites formations. There are a large number of dense shoals of fish, equalled only by Kinasi Pass. A peculiarity is the occurrence of large numbers of spotted garden eels, so named for their habit of living together in “gardens” in the sand around the coral.
Coral Gardens
Corals Gardens
A very large area of beautiful coral outcrops or “bommies”, lying in a wedge behind the Kinasi and Chole walls. The coral is very densely packed and continuous behind Kinasi wall; elsewhere the coral is separated by seagrass and sand patches. This is an excellent site for photography with a very high diversity of fish, colourful corals and anemones and the shallow water makes visibility excellent. This is a shallow water dive, often undertaken as the last phase of one of the wall dives. Excellent for snorkelers behind Kinasi Wall at low tide.
Chole Wall
Chole Wall
Another bank reef that joins the Kinasi Wall but lying north-east:south-west, also about 800m long. A steep bank of coral descending to 15 m, usually with excellent visibility, and ending in coral rubble and sand. A panorama for the diver as there is a startlingly rich tapestry of corals enveloped in clouds of tiny fish, dominated by colourful damselfish and fusiliers; numerous butterflyfish and angelfish. Especially interesting for the many species of colourful nudibranchs and flatworms. This is an excellent night or introductory dive. A great dive full of interest.
Kinasi Wall
Kinasi Wall
This is a sheltered bank reef, moderately deep and steeply sloping from 8 to 21 metres. It runs south-east:north-west for approximately 800 m and is an excellent dive on a slack tide or with a slight incoming current. It is in superb condition and composed of many species of hard and soft corals and supports a great variety of shoaling and solitary fish and giant clams, seafans, large groupers, and Napolean wrasse; there are abundant reef and pelagic fish, and turtles (especially the hawksbill) are often seen. One of our most popular dive sites.
Snorkeling Spots
Coral Gardens
Coral Gardens
Located on the shallow reef backing the Chole and Kinasi Walls; the maximum depth is 8 m and the snorkeller is usually in 3 to 6 m. A very extensive and superb photographic site with numerous coral "bommies" in seagrass and sand patches. A high diversity of reef fish with each "bommie" demonstrating a small world of great colour and variety. Stands of "fire" coral (Millepora spp).
Kinasi Pass Islets
Kinasi Pass Islets
The two larger islets in the main Kinasi Pass (Kisiwa Kubwa, Kisiwa Ndogo) are superb snorkelling sites with protected anchorages in sand on the inner, Bay side. There are scattered "bommies" and shallow reefs between and around the islets. Lionfish and the Titan triggerfish are very common. Open-billed storks, hadada ibis, little egrets and fish eagles are resident on the islets. A small pool, hidden in the centre of the largest islet, can be reached by swimming through a narrow channel in the rock. Small groups of nocturnal cardinal fish lurk in the shady crevices. The "bommie" adjacent to the largest islet falls away to about 15m and houses a fascinating complex of corals and fish.
Darusi / Miewe Island
Darusi /Miewe Island
The two larger islets in the main Kinasi Pass (Kisiwa Kubwa, Kisiwa Ndogo) are superb snorkelling sites with protected anchorages in sand on the inner, Bay side. There are scattered "bommies" and shallow reefs between and around the islets. Lionfish and the Titan triggerfish are very common. Open-billed storks, hadada ibis, little egrets and fish eagles are resident on the islets. A small pool, hidden in the centre of the largest islet, can be reached by swimming through a narrow channel in the rock. Small groups of nocturnal cardinal fish lurk in the shady crevices. The "bommie" adjacent to the largest islet falls away to about 15m and houses a fascinating complex of corals and fish.
Mangue Reef
Mange Reef
In the shallows surrounding the Mange atoll are some of the most beautiful stands of branching staghorn corals, best appreciated by snorkelling. Large expanses of shallow coral and sand patches with brilliant illumination for superb snorkelling and photography. On the western side the reef falls away to a fabulous sloping wall dive.
Kitutia
Kitutia
Snorkelling just off the main sand cay and in the channel facing Jibondo Island. A wonderful day trip for all with a picnic on the sand islands at low tide.
Jibondo Pass
Jibondo Pass
A shallow reef in the channel north of Jibondo Island with many scattered bommies in sand. There can be strong tidal movements but this is an ideal site to see many colourful parrotfish of all sizes.
Chole Wall
Chole Wall
Another bank reef that joins the Kinasi Wall but lying north-east:south-west, also about 800m long. A steep bank of coral descending to 15 m, usually with excellent visibility, and ending in coral rubble and sand. A panorama for the diver as there is a startlingly rich tapestry of corals enveloped in clouds of tiny fish, dominated by colourful damselfish and fusiliers; numerous butterflyfish and angelfish. Especially interesting for the many species of colourful nudibranchs and flatworms. This is an excellent night or introductory dive. A great dive full of interest.
Kinasi Wall
Kinasi Wall
This is a sheltered bank reef, moderately deep and steeply sloping from 8 to 21 metres. It runs south-east:north-west for approximately 800 m and is an excellent dive on a slack tide or with a slight incoming current. It is in superb condition and composed of many species of hard and soft corals and supports a great variety of shoaling and solitary fish and giant clams, seafans, large groupers, and Napolean wrasse; there are abundant reef and pelagic fish, and turtles (especially the hawksbill) are often seen. One of our most popular dive sites.
Diving Center
Welcome to Blue World Diving, a premier diving center located within Kinasi Lodge.
Nestled on the beach margin, the diving center features its own small harbour, inviting you to embark on aquatic adventures with ease. Inside the dive center, a separate wet room awaits, equipped with a range of wet suits and freshwater cleaning tanks. Extensive drying racks and hangers are available to keep your equipment in top condition. Blue World Diving has carefully designated spaces for various needs. A sound-proof compressor room ensures a peaceful environment, while a well-organized kit room houses essential diving gear such as bootees, fins, BCDs, regs, masks, and even an O2 treatment patient center. Additionally, a separate engine room and spares room are maintained to ensure efficient operations. Blue World Diving boasts a highly skilled team consisting of 1 Instructor, 1 Dive Master, and very capable crew members, ensuring your safety and enjoyment at every turn. With two boats at their disposal, they cater to the diverse needs of diving enthusiasts, snorkelers, and those seeking exciting excursions. Prepare to immerse yourself in the wonders of the deep blue sea at Blue World Diving, where a dedicated and passionate team awaits to guide you through an enchanting journey beneath the waves.
Mafia Island
Marine Park
Mafia Island Marine Park, established in 1995, is a protected area in the Indian onean´s Sea on Zanj, spanning 882km2. Located in Tanzania´s Pwani Region, it conserves marine biodiversity while promoting sustainable use. The park protects life balancing conservation with local community activities.
Marine Park Guidelines
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