Whale-shark season in a quiet marine park.
The dive
A quiet Tanzanian marine park where juvenile whale sharks feed near the surface in season, with gentle reefs and barely another boat in sight.
When to go
Whale sharks gather off Mafia roughly October–March; the marine-park reefs dive well across the dry season.
Readiness
Open Water-level site — suits Open Water divers and up. Typical requirements:
Not sure you're ready? Read our readiness guide or check yourself in the planner.
Logistics
| Getting there | Domestic flight via Dar es Salaam + transfer. Fly to Mafia Island (MFA) via Dar es Salaam; lodges are a short transfer from the airstrip. |
|---|---|
| Where to stay | Marine-park lodge. Mafia Island Marine Park lodges — low-key, conservation-minded. |
| Operator to look for | Reviewed Mafia operators running ethical whale-shark snorkels and reef dives. |
Sources
Links checked 29 September 2026. They cover the site's location, protection status and background. Costs, difficulty and season windows are ScubaRogue's editorial estimates, so confirm them with your operator before you book. How we research
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Open Water