BASECAMP DIVE CLUB
Basecamp Mafia Island opened its own diving club.
Basecamp Mafia Island offers you a complete holiday experience. Enjoy beautiful, spacious, renovated rooms, amazing food, and professional diving, all under one roof with our new Basecamp Mafia Dive Club.
We have partnered with a highly experienced diving operator to offer a full range of PADI recreational scuba diving courses and experiences for those looking to try diving for the first time. For certified divers, we organise daily dives.
Padi number 30658.
DEPTHS UNDER 30 METRES
48 GERENA OF CORALS
460 SPECIES OF FISH
DISCOVER THE UNDERWORLD BIG-5
Discover our diving packages
Different 4- to 7-night diving arrangements and PADI certifications.
DISCOVER OUR DIVE SITES
Dive into one of Earth’s last pristine marine parks.
Unlike many renowned dive hotspots, Mafia Island remains peaceful and pristine. With limited development and fewer visitors, divers can enjoy uncrowded sites and a genuine connection with the ocean.
MUST DO
KINASI PASS
Mafia’s most famous dive. A spectacular drift along walls with caverns, overhangs, and enormous shoals of fish that sometimes block out the light. Turtles, giant groupers, and barracuda are regulars.
PHOTOGRAPHY
DINDINI WALL
Dramatic wall outside Chole Bay with overhangs, an archway, and small caverns. Beautiful sea fans, Napoleon wrasse, and vibrant coral cover. A favourite for underwater photography.
BREATHTAKING
THE PINNACLE
A 12-metre spire of ancient coral rock in the inner Kinasi Pass. Home to a resident giant potato cod and moray eel. Batfish, barracuda, and pelagics are passing through the channel.
ALSO FOR BEGINNERS
CORAL GARDENS
Shallow water paradise with incredibly dense, colourful corals and anemones. Excellent for macro photography — nudibranchs, flatworms, and seahorses. Perfect for beginners and night dives.
Immersive
We also offer exciting activities such as whale watching, turtle hatching, deep-sea fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, kitesurfing and canoeing. To ensure the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and enjoyment, we keep our groups small and personal.
MUST DO
Whale sharks
One of the most unique experiences you can have on Mafia Island is swimming with whale sharks. For those with a passion for discovery, we offer exploration diving trips. This adventure is ideal for experienced divers looking to explore new reefs and species in the Mafia Island Marine Park. While sightings are not guaranteed, the thrill of the unknown makes this experience unforgettable. Open to Advanced Open Water divers with proof of at least 80 dives.
CORAL GALORE
Reefs & Coral
The reefs of the archipelago present an awe-inspiring display of marine biodiversity, ranging from exposed fringing reefs to rock walls and soft coral habitats. The high diversity and excellent condition of these reefs resulted in the establishment of the Mafia Island Marine Park, the first of its kind in Tanzania and one of the premier diving spots in the country.
PRESERVATION
Marine Park
The Mafia Island Marine Park harbours a remarkable diversity of species, including 48 coral genera and over 400 fish species. All dives depend on the tide, making each trip distinctive. We employ traditional dhows for our dive excursions, and when the wind permits, we raise the sail for a relaxed and authentic voyage back.
WHEN TO VISIT
Plan your diving adventure
Every month has its magic.
Mafia Island enjoys warm temperatures year-round (25–30°C). Here’s what each season brings, so you can plan your visit around what excites you most.
THE MAFIA ISLAND MARINE PARK (MIMP)
Good to know
The Marine Park covers 822 sq km and includes several coral islets surrounding the main island of Mafia, a true natural wonder and one of the top diving destinations in Tanzania.
Basecamp Mafia is uniquely situated within the Marine Park & Reserve. A mandatory Park Fee of USD 23.60 per person per night is payable directly at the entrance gate (Visa or Mastercard accepted). This contribution plays a vital role in preserving our extraordinary marine environment.
The waters of the Marine Park are home to vibrant coral reefs (about 48 species), extensive submarine meadows, over 400 species of fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and the dugong, a rare marine mammal. The Marine Park comprises the archipelago’s three largest islands: Chole, Juani, and Jibondo, along with other smaller coral islets.
HOW TO GET HERE
Easier than you might think
Mafia Island is a quick 30-minute flight from Dar es Salaam, the same gateway city you’ll fly through for your Tanzania safari. We handle the rest.
Fly to Dar es Salaam
Direct flights from major European and Middle Eastern hubs. Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's international gateway.
Hop to Mafia Island
30-minute direct flights from Dar es Salaam with Auric Air or Coastal Aviation. Five flights run daily, depending on the season.
We pick you up
A 20-minute drive from the Mafia's airstrip to our resort. Transfer arranged by our team. You'll feel the island pace from minute one.
Welcome to paradise
A ten-minute boat ride to the dive reefs, a short stroll to the birding sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
50% payment of the total package upon confirmation, 50% one month prior to arrival.
Upgrade 80 USD per person per night: superior room, full board, and 30-minute massage.
Second person sharing the room: 50 USD per person per night.
Mafia Island enjoys warm year-round temperatures, ranging from 25 to 30°C, and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for unwinding. Considered one of Tanzania’s safer regions, it does have some connotations regarding climate throughout the year:
Key Seasonal Highlights
Best Overall Weather (Dry Season): June to October is ideal, offering sunny, breezy, and dry conditions, perfect for beach relaxation.
Whale Shark Season: October to March is the best time to see and swim with whale sharks, with peak sightings in October/November and February.
Diving & Snorkelling: Best visibility occurs from October to February, though June to October offers great conditions with less wind.
Humpback Whales: Best seen breaching offshore from August to September.
Turtle Hatching: Occurs between December and March.
Times to better avoid (long rains): April and May are notorious for heavy, consistent, and frequent rainfall, with many lodges closing for maintenance.
In summary, for the best balance of weather and marine life, October is considered a top month, as it marks the beginning of the whale shark season while still offering dry, sunny weather.Â
Yes! We offer a full range of PADI recreational scuba diving courses and experiences for those who want to try it.
Not at all. The diving itself is highly varied and suitable for many skill levels. Most sites are relatively shallow, yet they offer coral gardens, walls, pinnacles, drift dives, caves, and excellent macro spots. Divers can encounter turtles, reef sharks, rays, barracuda, large groupers, and seasonal visitors like humpback whales, which migrate past the island between mid-year months and can sometimes be heard singing underwater. The warm Indian Ocean waters and generally good visibility add to the comfort and quality of the dives.
The Basecamp Dive Club is located inside our resort. See the map below. From our resort, it’s a ten-minute boat ride to the reefs.
For our scuba diving trips, we use traditional wooden dhows (up to 12 divers) and fibreglass speedboats (up to 8 divers).
FACILITIES
Basecamp Mafia Island offers everything you'd expect from an eco-resort.
Enjoy delicious cuisine, fresh seafood, and tropical cocktails while feeling the sand between your toes. Sip a refreshing drink or grab a light snack at our beachfront bar, the perfect spot to unwind and watch the sunset. Lounge by the newly built swimming pool, indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments and massages. Browse unique treasures in our gift shop. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi, and enjoy a friendly game of pool in the lobby with the local Maasai.
