Overview
About an hour’s sail south of Chole, Jibondo Island is the most traditional of the archipelago’s settlements, and most of its two thousand inhabitants engage in fishing, especially for sharks, and octopus-baiting.
Jibondo is renowned as a boat-building centre, with much of the wood coming from forests around mainland Kilwa. In Jibondo’s village centre, look for the carved door frame on the mosque, said to come from the old settlement at Kua on Juani.
Bwejuu Island, Mafia
Bwejuu Island is considered the most beautiful island in the archipelago and for very good reason. Just under three hours sail from Mafia Island Diving, the journey itself is a highlight, as you weave in and out of sandbanks, tropical reefs and local fishing canoes. Depending on the tide, adventure can start with a dive or snorkel on Bwejuu’s fringing reef. The dive itself is highlighted by a massive school of baraccuda, which you can see from the boat as they start to inspect the boat from just below the ocean’s surface. As you press on with the dive itself, you come across fields of whip coral and large boulder structures jutting up, just below the rippling sea, creating the perfect playgound for a variety of fish species.
As you move around the island heading south, ascending up into the shallows and you will see Mafia’s most spectacular reefs with pristine corals and interesting bommies absolutely teaming with fish. This coral garden is where snorkeling takes place within the marine park. Picnic lunch in the Island and afternoon return to Mafia, this expedition is only possible from October through to March.
Highlights
Bwejuu Island, Mafia
Bwejuu Island is considered the most beautiful island in the archipelago and for very good reason.
Jibondo Island, Mafia
About an hour’s sail south of Chole, Jibondo Island is the most traditional of the archipelago’s settlements, and most of its two thousand inhabitants engage in fishing, especially for sharks, and…
Know Before You Go
Trip Snapshot
- Location Mafia Island, Pwani – Mafia Archipelago
- Jibondo Island, Mafia 3–4 hours · Beach Holiday · can be tailor-made
- Bwejuu Island, Mafia 5–6 hours · Beach Holiday · can be tailor-made
Things to Do
- Bird Watching
- Walking / Hiking
- Cultural Visits
- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Snorkeling / Swimming
- Whale Watching
Good to Know
To reach mafia one no longer sails as the first option, but rather take a flight in light aircraft from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, or one of the game parks such as the Nyerere National Park. Coastal aviation and auric air both offer multiple daily flights, which take approximately 30-50 minutes. The experience is fantastic, with great views of the African bush and coastline.
The distance between Zanzibar City and Mafia Island is 198 km. It takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes flight from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam respectively
Mafia Island enjoys two rainy seasons, similar to the mainland. In November and December and March to May. The first best time to visit is from October to February offering the best visibility The second-best time is June to September as it is the coolest time.
