Islands Guide
Mafia Island Whale Sharks
Quick answer
When can you swim with whale sharks at Mafia?
Mafia Island Marine Park lists swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, among its activities, but it publishes no season dates, so ask the park office or your operator which weeks are running before you book. From Zanzibar, Coastal Aviation flies to Mafia every day via Dar es Salaam in about 1h25, for USD 209 plus USD 46 in taxes. No sighting is guaranteed on any single day, so plan at least three nights.
| The animal | Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world |
| Season | Not published by the park: ask before you book |
| Flight from Zanzibar | Daily via Dar es Salaam, about 1h25 |
| Fare from Zanzibar | USD 209 plus USD 46 taxes, adult |
| Park permit | Booked and paid online through the park's system |
| Nights | At least three |
| Last verified | 2 October 2026 |
The season
When can you swim with whale sharks at Mafia?
Mafia Island Marine Park, about 120 km south-east of Dar es Salaam, lists swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, among the activities of the park, alongside snorkelling, scuba diving and kayaking. Whale sharks are visitors, not residents, and the park publishes no season dates on its own pages.
So the honest answer is to ask before you book: the park office or a licensed operator on Mafia can tell you which weeks are running in your year. Then plan at least three nights, because no sighting is guaranteed on any single morning, and keep a spare day for the weather.
Getting there
How do you get to Mafia Island from Zanzibar?
By air. The marine park notes that it is reached by air from Dar es Salaam, and boats leave from Utende. Coastal Aviation flies Zanzibar–Mafia every day via Dar es Salaam in about 1h25, for USD 209 plus USD 46 in taxes and charges per adult. From Dar es Salaam the nonstop flight takes about 30 minutes. Pack to the light-aircraft limits: Coastal's standard ticket allows 15 kg.
| Route | Time | Price | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar–Mafia via Dar es Salaam | About 1h25 | USD 209 + USD 46 taxes, adult | Daily |
| Dar es Salaam–Mafia, nonstop | About 30 min | USD 146, adult, before taxes | Twice daily |
From Coastal Aviation's own timetable (valid to 31 May 2027, updated July 2026).
The park
How does the marine park work?
Entry permits for Tanzania's marine parks are booked and paid online through the park authority's reservation and payment system: you register, choose the park and the service, generate a bill and pay by mobile money or bank card. In practice, your lodge or operator usually arranges the permit with the trip; ask whether it is in the price.
The park covers more than the whale sharks: its own list includes coral gardens, dolphins, sea-turtle hatching and snorkelling and diving. Chole Bay, inside the park, is the gentler water. For Zanzibar's own reefs, see our snorkelling and diving guide.
In the water
What is a whale-shark morning like?
Boats go out with a licensed guide, the crew watches for the animal, and when one is found you slip into the water and snorkel alongside it. The guide sets the rules on the day: no touching, no chasing, and let the animal pass in its own direction. Some mornings bring a long encounter; some bring nothing.
That is why the nights matter more than the plan. With three or more nights you have more than one chance, and a calm morning for the boat. If the sharks are the reason for the trip, ask the operator how it counts a missed day before you pay.
Nights
How many nights should you plan for Mafia?
At least three, four or five if the whale sharks are the main reason. Mafia is a marine-park island, chosen for the water rather than for beach life, so most guests pair it with beach days on Zanzibar. For the visa and insurance: Mafia is in Tanzania, the Tanzania visa (USD 50) covers it. You need one policy, for the place you land first: land on Zanzibar first and you buy the Zanzibar insurance (ZIC, USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17); land on the mainland first and, since 1 October 2026, you buy the mainland’s NIC (USD 44), which also counts on Zanzibar. Either covers up to 92 days.
Then fly back to Zanzibar and drive about 65 km, 1h15, to Michamvi Pingwe on the south-east coast; rooms at Matlai start at USD 535 a night with half board. Our Michamvi Pingwe guide covers the peninsula, and Tanzania island hopping the order of several islands.
Where these facts come from
Official sources
- Marine Parks and Reserves Tanzania: visitor guide: Mafia Island Marine Park: where it is, how to reach it, whale sharks among its activities and the online entry permit.
- Coastal Aviation: timetable and price list (updated July 2026): The daily Zanzibar–Mafia and Dar es Salaam–Mafia flights, times and fares.
Checked on 2 October 2026. We link to the bodies that set the rules, not to summaries of them. Rules change: check the page itself before you travel.
Good to know
Questions travellers ask
What divers and wildlife travellers ask us before they plan Mafia.
When is whale-shark season at Mafia Island?
Mafia Island Marine Park lists swimming with whale sharks among its activities but publishes no season dates. Ask the park office or your operator which weeks are running before you book flights, and plan at least three nights, because no sighting is guaranteed on any single day.
How do you get from Zanzibar to Mafia Island?
By air. Coastal Aviation flies Zanzibar–Mafia every day via Dar es Salaam in about 1h25, for USD 209 plus USD 46 in taxes per adult. From Dar es Salaam the nonstop flight takes about 30 minutes (USD 146). The marine park itself notes that it is reached by air from Dar es Salaam.
Do I need a permit for the marine park?
Yes. Entry permits for Tanzania's marine parks are booked and paid online through the park authority's reservation and payment system, by mobile money or bank card; your lodge or operator usually arranges it. Ask whether the permit is in your price.
Can you dive with the whale sharks?
The park lists swimming with whale sharks, snorkelling and scuba diving among its activities. For the whale sharks, go with a licensed guide and follow the guide's rules on the day: do not touch, do not chase, and let the animal pass.
Do I need a separate visa or insurance for Mafia?
No separate visa: Mafia is in Tanzania, so the Tanzania visa (USD 50) covers it. For the mandatory insurance: You need one policy, for the place you land first: land on Zanzibar first and you buy the Zanzibar insurance (ZIC, USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17); land on the mainland first and, since 1 October 2026, you buy the mainland’s NIC (USD 44), which also counts on Zanzibar. Either covers up to 92 days.
Is Mafia good for a beach holiday?
Mafia is a marine-park island, chosen for the water rather than for beach life. Most guests pair it with beach days on Zanzibar; our Michamvi Pingwe guide covers the south-east coast.
Your stay at Matlai
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