Why I keep coming back to Mafia Island
Client Debra Woolley shares her highlights from Mafia Island after another fantastic trip during the whale shark season, exploring the Indian Ocean resort and macro sights underwater. What’s not to love?!
Well, before I tell you what there is to love, let me tell you that four days after arriving back in the UK, I booked my next trip to Mafia! Two trips in, I am now booking my third trip for later in 2018, to include a mini Tanzanian safari; I really must see more of this beautiful country.
The flight to Mafia is just great fun, in a tiny plane, seeing all the beauty of the ocean. I was picked up at the airport and taken to Mafia Island Lodge located in the National Park. It is a stunning, quiet and relaxed lodge - just what you would expect in Africa.
The dive centre is only a 100 metre walk from your room, and you are greeted by some of the most lovely dive guides and staff, who go above and beyond to make your diving stress free. They even fold your wetsuit every morning for you to take on board. You have the option of single or double boat dives.
Image by Debra Woolley
The whale sharks were wonderful, and I was surprised at how few boats were out, considering the season. This meant that I got to spend about one and a half hours in the water with them, and that was a quiet day!
The diving is relaxed, fun, stress-free, even when there are currents. The groups are small, three to five people with a guide at the most. The time of day that you dive depends on the tides, but can mean you may even get to do a shore dive and two boat dives.
Image by Debra Woolley
Needless to say, I spent all my available dive time, diving with my dive family. Leaf fish and frog fish (especially the hairy ones) are my absolute favourite. There were juvenile and adult nudibranchs, sea horses, octopus, squid and pipe horse fish. I also saw a baby white tip shark, nurse sharks and rays. I am hoping to see a guitar shark next time. Every dive made me smile.
I have been on liveaboards, which I adore, and seen large pelagics up close and personal in Cocos, Tiger Beach, the Galapagos and the Red Sea. This is not that holiday. This holiday is about the package - the lodge staff, dive centre staff, people of the island and locals of Dar es Salaam. I truly love this country and its relaxed positive attitude to ensuring you have a great holiday.
Experience the beauty of Mafia Island for yourself. Take a look at our tailor-made trip idea to Dive Mafia Island.
