Is Mafia Island Safe? Health, Money and Practical Tips

Mafia Island is one of the calmest places to travel in Tanzania: a small, friendly island where most people know each other and tourism is low-key. As anywhere, a little preparation makes the trip smoother. This guide covers the questions we are asked most often.

Is Mafia Island safe?

Mafia is generally very safe and relaxed, with far less hassle than busy tourist areas. Use normal common sense: keep valuables in your room or hotel safe, do not leave things unattended on the beach, and use a torch on unlit roads at night. Your hotel or guide can tell you about any local concerns.

Safety on the water

• Go with a licensed, experienced operator; boats should carry life jackets
• Follow your guide's briefing, especially for whale sharks and drift dives
• Respect the sun: the equatorial sun burns quickly, even on cloudy days
• Never touch coral, turtles or whale sharks — for their safety and yours

Health and malaria

Mafia Island is in a malaria area. Speak to a doctor or travel clinic before you travel about antimalarial tablets and vaccinations, and protect yourself from mosquitoes at dawn and dusk with repellent, long sleeves and a net. Bring any medicines you need; the island has basic health facilities in Kilindoni, and serious cases go to Dar es Salaam, so travel insurance is essential.

Drink bottled or filtered water.

Money: cash, cards and mobile money

• Bring cash: many guesthouses, restaurants, bajaji drivers and small shops take cash only
• Tanzanian shillings are used day to day; US dollars are widely accepted for tours and hotels
• Kilindoni has the island's banks and mobile-money agents, but do not rely on finding a working cash machine — bring what you need from Dar es Salaam
• The marine park office has been asking for card payment for entry fees, so carry a card too

Phone and internet

Mobile coverage is good in Kilindoni and Utende and patchier in remote areas and at sea. A local SIM card with data is cheap and easy to buy in Dar es Salaam or Kilindoni.

Dress and respect

Mafia is a traditional, mostly Muslim island. Swimwear is fine on the beach and at your hotel; in villages and Kilindoni town, cover shoulders and knees. Always ask before photographing people, and a few words of Swahili — jambo, asante (thank you), karibu (welcome) — go a long way.

Getting around safely

Use the bajajis and cars arranged by your hotel or by us, especially at night. Distances are short and roads are quiet, but many are unlit.