Islands & history
Chole Island Tour — Ruins, Bats & Village
Walk through the old Swahili and Omani ruins of Chole, see giant fruit bats and meet the island's village community.
- Duration
- Half day (about 3 hours)
- Season
- All year.
- Starts from
- Utende beach
- Price
- Ask for price
Chole Island sits just across the bay from Utende and was once the main trading centre of the Mafia archipelago. Today its ruins are wrapped in baobab and fig tree roots.
Your guide walks you through the ruined houses and mosques, the village, local boat builders, and the trees where large fruit bats roost.
Highlights
- Atmospheric historic ruins overgrown by trees
- Giant fruit bats
- Village life and traditional dhow building
- Short boat ride across Chole Bay
Included
- Boat transfer Utende ↔ Chole
- Local guide
- Drinking water
Not included
- Village / island entry fee (if applicable)
- Lunch (can be added)
Chole Island Tour — Ruins, Bats & Village: questions
How do I get to Chole Island?
Chole is a short boat ride across the bay from Utende. The boat is included in the tour.
What is there to see on Chole?
Ruined Swahili and Omani-era buildings overgrown by baobab and fig trees, giant fruit bats, local boat builders and a friendly village.
Can I combine Chole with another trip?
Yes. Many guests combine Chole with snorkelling or a Juani Island visit on the same day. Ask us for a combined plan.