The resident population of 70,000 is mainly composed of fishermen and smallholder farmers who cultivate coconut, paw-paw, and cassava.

The islanders are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back. The dominant religion is moderate Islam, and Christians and Muslims live in peace and harmony.

The island lies near the equator, and the air and sea temperatures remain warm year-round. The hottest months are from October to March, followed by a rainy season from April to June. The coolest months are from July to September.

The name Mafia probably derives from the Arabic morfiyeh, meaning ‘group’ or ‘archipelago’, or from the Swahili mahali pa afya, meaning ‘a healthy dwelling place’. Mafia has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years. It was the most important trading post of Shirazi influence between the 12th and 15th centuries. It has occupied a key position on the East African trading routes between Kilwa and Zanzibar for centuries, and ruins from these times can be visited on the islands of Chole and Juani.

In more modern times, the Mafia served as the base for British forces during World War I. In 1915, they assembled their aerial forces to scout for the German battleship Königsberg, which was hiding in the nearby Rufiji Delta amid thick foliage.

Today, Mafia is known as a beautiful Indian Ocean tropical resort famous for deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. Aquatic life is abundant, and the coral gardens are pristine thanks to the protection of the Mafia Island Marine Park. The park lies between the Rufiji River delta to the west and the open Indian Ocean to the east. The combined influences of the river and the sea have created exceptional biodiversity, with unique underwater and on-land landscapes.

The underwater life is diverse and spectacular, with over 400 species of fish and 48 genera of hard coral – a scuba diver’s paradise! The wealth of flora and fauna is not only found underwater, but also includes over 160 species of birds, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as the rare Comoros Flying Fox, or fruit bat, found only on Mafia and the Comoro Islands. The vegetation ranges from bush and baobabs to palms, fruit trees, and mangroves.