Declared a marine park in the mid 1990s, the island’s reefs are intact. The fact that it’s a mini-odyssey just getting there (you take a so-called regularly scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam) and that it’s a malaria hotspot have helped, too. Underwater, deadly lionfish are all over the place, puffing up their feathery fins as you approach their territory. Divers will find many bank reefs—the layers of corals, plants and organisms resemble the layers of sediment in the Grand Canyon—along with a lot of pelagic (open-sea) fish such as sharks and tuna. If you’re lucky, you might witness these hunters herd their prey towards a wall, where mass confusion means easy pickings. As alluring as the diving is Mafia’s ancient history—it was a trading post on the route between Yemen and Kenya 2,000 years ago. The inhabitants are Muslim, and are very conscious of any disrespect. According to Muslim codes of decorum, you’re not supposed to show your upper arms or legs. The basic rule is: Wear what you like on the beach, but in the village respect local customs.
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KINASI LODGE, TANZANIA
Kinasi Lodge has a full-service dive program that includes instruction and guides. Kinasi Lodge is Mafia's most well-established and, in our view, best accommodation. The lodge has attractive rooms, a spa, good dive centre and the added bonus of Mafia's only swimming pool. The diversity of activities and adventures to be had from here makes Mafia worthy of a very good rating. Scuba training to all levels from beginning to advanced and specialized courses.
Booking: stay@mafiaisland.com
Web: http://www.mafiaisland.com/