What is the best time to visit Mafia Island for whale sharks?

The best time to swim with whale sharks on Mafia Island is from October to March when they are most commonly spotted in the marine park waters.

How much does a Mafia Island fishing tour cost?

The Mafia Fishing Competition 2026 offers three participation packages: Full Package Single Occupancy USD 1,735, Full Package Double Occupancy USD 1,675, and Fishing-Only USD 1,465. Optional add-ons include Opening and Closing Dinner USD 200, Individual Dinner USD 120, Whale Shark Experience USD 100, and Sandbank and Snorkeling USD 80.

Is Mafia Island safe for tourists?

Yes, Mafia Island is very safe for tourists. It's a protected marine park with friendly local communities, professional guides, and established tourism infrastructure.

How do I get to Mafia Island?

You can reach Mafia Island by a 1-hour flight from Dar es Salaam or by a 2-hour ferry from Nyamisati. Private boat transfers are also available.

Do I need diving experience for Mafia Island tours?

No! The Whale Shark Experience and Sandbank and Snorkeling experiences are suitable for beginners and non-swimmers (life jackets provided). All skill levels are welcome.

Sunrise over Mafia Island waters with traditional dhow boat

Eco-Certified Adventures Since 2025

Where Adventure Meets the Ocean

Experience Mafia Fishing Competition 2026, 12–15 November: Cast. Conserve. Connect. Four days of sport fishing, community and mangrove conservation at Mafia Base Camp.

Reserve your place View packages

Guest-rated ocean experiences

Marine Park Certified

Free cancellation up to 150 days

Local Swahili guide preparing traditional dhow boat at sunrise on Utende Beach, Mafia Island

"The ocean doesn't just give us fish—it gives us our story."

Conservation First

5% of every booking supports marine protection

Our Story

Where Local Wisdom Meets Ocean Adventure

Mafia Island isn't just a destination—it's a living story. For generations, Swahili fishermen have read the tides, respected the reef, and shared the ocean's bounty with reverence.

We partner with these local experts to craft experiences that go beyond sport fishing: sunrise dhows gliding over turquoise waters, beachside barbecues under ancient baobab trees, and encounters with gentle whale sharks that leave you breathless.

Every trip supports marine conservation and local communities—because the best adventures leave places better than we found them.

Eco-Certified Operator

Local Guide Partnership

Marine Park Approved

Premium Experiences

Curated Ocean Adventures

Each tour is crafted with local expertise, sustainable practices, and unforgettable moments in mind.

Competition · Nov 2026 Cast. Conserve. Connect.

Dates

12–15 Nov 2026

Duration

4 days · Mafia Base Camp

Mafia Fishing Competition 2026

Mafia Island Fishing Competition Cast. Conserve. Connect. · 2026

12–15 November 2026

Three official packages · Prize fund TZS 7,500,000 · ≈ USD 2,830

Event starts in

12 Nov 2026 · 06:00 Tanzania (EAT)

000

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Event in progress · 12–15 Nov 2026

Book a package

Mafia Fishing Competition on Mafia Island

A four-day sport fishing, community and conservation event

The Mafia Fishing Competition 2026 brings together experienced anglers, local Tanzanian fishers, international visitors, tourism partners and conservation groups at Mafia Base Camp.

Competitive fishing is paired with mangrove restoration, a 100 school bags education initiative, opening and closing dinners, and optional whale shark and sandbank experiences.

Cast

Sport fishing & Mafia heritage

Conserve

Mangrove restoration

Connect

Community & partners

Prize fund

TZS 7,500,000 · ≈ USD 2,830

Prize structure

First Place Overall champion TZS 3,000,000 ≈ USD 1,130
Second Place Runner-up TZS 2,000,000 ≈ USD 755
Third Place Podium finish TZS 1,000,000 ≈ USD 375
Best Female Angler Women in sport fishing TZS 500,000 ≈ USD 190
Best Young Angler Next generation TZS 500,000 ≈ USD 190
Best Veteran Angler Experience on the water TZS 500,000 ≈ USD 190
Total prize fund All categories combined TZS 7,500,000 ≈ USD 2,830

Official prizes are paid in Tanzanian shillings (TZS). US dollar amounts are approximate at about TZS 2,650 = USD 1 and may change with the exchange rate.

2026 participation packages

Full package · Single

Full Package — Single Occupancy

USD 1,735 / person

Competition for all fishing days, lunch on competition days, half-board at Mafia Base Camp (single room), airport transfers, kit, briefing, medal, certificate, awards programme.

Full package · Sharing Popular

Full Package — Double Occupancy

USD 1,675 / person sharing

Same competition experience as the single package, with half-board double-room sharing at Mafia Base Camp, transfers, kit, medal and certificate.

Fishing only

Fishing-Only Package

USD 1,465 / person

For anglers arranging their own stay. Includes competition days, lunch, kit, briefing, catch recording, medal, certificate and awards programme. Accommodation and transfers are not included.

Add-on · Dinners

Opening & Closing Dinner

USD 200 / person

Both official dinners: opening on 12 November and closing awards dinner on 15 November.

Individual dinner USD 120.

Optional experiences

Whale shark · Sandbank

Not included in fishing packages. Whale Shark Experience (excursion, transfers, tea, coffee, fruits). Sandbank and Snorkeling (excursion, snorkel gear, lunch).

Fishing-only guests needing a room separately: Mafia Base Camp half-board USD 130 single / USD 100 sharing per person per night, subject to availability.

Reserve your place

Opening dinner 12 Nov · Closing awards dinner 15 Nov · Mangrove planting on the final day.

Swimming with whale sharks in the clear waters of Mafia Island Marine Park

Whale Shark Experience

Optional Mafia experience: whale shark excursion with transfers, tea and coffee, and fruits. USD 100 per person. Not included in standard fishing packages.

4-5 hours

Max 6 guests

Easy

Transfers, tea & fruits

Number of Guests:

1 (Max 6)

Total: $100

$100/person

Book This Tour

Sport fishing boat on the Indian Ocean at sunset near Mafia Island

Adventure

Deep Sea Fishing Expedition

Target giant trevally (GT), marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dorado, and tuna with professional gear and expert local captains. Includes lunch, refreshments, and catch cleaning.

6-8 hours

Max 4 anglers

Intermediate

All gear included

Number of Guests:

1 (Max 4)

Total: $780

$780/person

Book This Tour

Family Friendly

Sandbank and Snorkeling Experience

Optional Mafia experience: sandbank excursion with snorkeling equipment and lunch. USD 80 per person. Not included in standard fishing packages.

5-6 hours

Max 10 guests

All levels

Snorkel gear & lunch

Number of Guests:

1 (Max 10)

Total: $80

$80/person

Book This Tour

View all 8 tours

🏝️ Partner Eco-Resort

Where You'll Stay

Mafia Base Camp — official event base for 12–15 November 2026

Full competition packages include half-board here. Fishing-only guests may book separately at USD 130 per person per night (single) or USD 100 per person per night sharing, half board, subject to availability.

🌊 Located Within Marine Park & Reserve

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 Marine Park comprises the archipelago's three largest islands: Chole, Juani, and Jibondo, along with other smaller coral islets.

400+

Fish Species

Coral Genera

~200

Whale Sharks

246

Bird Species

Superior Rooms - Direct Beach Access

Locally sourced interiors and stunning ocean views

FAMILY

Ghuba Ocean View

Four fully renovated family rooms featuring modern style with African aesthetic. 40 m² with king-size bed and separate bunk bed.

4 Persons

40 m²

Sea Views

✓ Direct beach access ✓ Private veranda ✓ Locally sourced furniture

Book Rooms

SUPERIOR

Kisiwa Ocean View

Six spacious double rooms decorated with locally produced African-style furniture. Enjoy morning coffee or sundowner on your private veranda.

2 Persons

40 m²

Sea Views

✓ Direct beach access ✓ Private veranda ✓ African decor

Book Rooms

ROMANTIC

Pwani Ocean View

Three spacious beachfront rooms with king-size bed and panoramic views of lush green gardens. Ideal for couples seeking romantic escape.

2 Persons (Couples)

35 m²

Panoramic Ocean Views

✓ Beachfront ✓ King bed ✓ Garden views

Book Rooms

Standard Rooms - Great Value

Comfortable accommodation delivering great value for money

OCEAN VIEW

Bahari Ocean View

Seven double rooms with cosy queen bed and mesmerising views of the Indian Ocean. Wake up to the sound of waves.

2 Persons Ocean Views

Book Rooms

GARDEN VIEW

Ufuo Garden View

Seven cosy yet elegant rooms with queen bed and stunning views over lush green gardens. Surrounded by palm and cashew trees.

2 Persons Garden Views

Book Rooms

Come and Visit Us

With its tranquil, laid-back atmosphere, the island is perfect for unwinding. We invite you to experience the island at its purest.

Book Your Stay Visit Basecamp Website

Guest voices

What travelers say

Recent feedback from anglers and marine tour guests hosted on Mafia Island.

“Impeccable crew, respectful whale-shark briefing, and a smooth day on the water. Exactly the professional standard we hoped for.”

— Couple · Germany · Marine tour

“GT fishing was relentless—in the best way. Lodging and meals were seamless; the team communicated clearly every step.”

— Charter group · UK · Deep sea

“Conservation messaging felt genuine—not marketing. Small groups, calm guides, and a stunning reef safari day.”

— Family · USA · Island safari

Ready for Your Ocean Adventure?

Fill out the form and our team will contact you within 24 hours to confirm your tour details and answer any questions.

UTENDE BEACH, P.O.BOX 85, MAFIA

+255 798 524 039

info@mafiafishingcompetition.co.tz

✨ Booking Benefits

Free cancellation up to 150 days before trip
Secure payment after staff confirm (bank or M-Pesa)
All equipment, permits, and local guides included

Full Name

Email Address

Phone / WhatsApp

Preferred Date

Choose your preferred date

T-Shirt Size

Country

Tour Interest

Number of Participants

💡 Price will be calculated automatically

Additional Notes

I agree to the cancellation policy and privacy notice , and I consent to be contacted about this booking by email or WhatsApp.

We will respond within 24 hours. This form is an enquiry — no payment is taken here.

Our Commitment to You

Flexible Cancellation: Full refund (minus $700 admin fee) for cancellations received 150+ days before arrival.

Weather Protection: If our captain cancels due to unsafe conditions, you'll receive a credit for a future booking.

Force Majeure: For travel bans or pandemics, we'll reschedule within 12 months at no extra charge.

We recommend travel insurance through Global Rescue for medical evacuation and trip cover.

Privacy notice

When you send a booking enquiry we store your name, email, phone or WhatsApp number, country, package choice and any notes so staff can confirm your place.

We count visits, named button clicks and country to improve the event. Visitor IP addresses are hashed. We do not sell this information.

You can ask us to update or delete your enquiry details by emailing or WhatsApping the contacts on this page. Booking records needed for confirmed places, invoices or conservation reporting may be kept as required by Tanzanian law and event operations.

🌤️ Live Weather

Current Conditions in Mafia Island

Real-time weather updates to help you plan your perfect fishing adventure

Mafia Island, Tanzania

⛅

Temperature

28°C

Feels like 30°C

Wind Speed

12 km/h

NE Direction

Humidity

75%

Comfortable

Sea Conditions

Calm

Great for tours

📅 5-Day Forecast

Mon

☀️

29°

Tue

⛅

28°

Wed

☀️

30°

Thu

🌤️

27°

Fri

☀️

29°

✅ Perfect conditions for fishing tours today!

📱 Follow Our Adventures

Latest from Social Media

See real-time updates from our fishing expeditions and island adventures

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🎣 Latest Update

Amazing day on the water! Our guests caught a magnificent 150kg Marlin yesterday. Book your adventure today! 🐟🌊

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🌊 Our Conservation Mission

More Than Fishing: Protecting Our Ocean Heritage

The 2026 competition pairs sport fishing with mangrove restoration and a school-bags education programme so visitors contribute to the destination they enjoy.

Mangrove Restoration

Final day · 15 November 2026

The activity shows that fishing tourism and conservation can work together.

100 School Bags for 100 Futures

Pre-event community initiative

Where possible, the initiative includes environmental education on the ocean, mangroves, fisheries and responsible tourism.

The Story of Mafia Island

From Fishing Grounds to Marine Sanctuary

The Crisis (1980s-1990s)

Rising demand for marine resources led to destructive fishing practices—dynamite fishing shattered coral reefs, pull-nets captured juvenile fish, and the 1998 El Niño bleached large sections of coral. Mafia Island's extraordinary biodiversity was under threat.

The Solution (1995)

In April 1995, Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP) became Tanzania's first marine park, spanning 822 km². A collaborative effort between the Government of Tanzania, WWF, international agencies, and local communities—who provided essential traditional knowledge.

Three Core Objectives

Conserve Biodiversity

Protect one of eastern Africa's most marine-diverse regions

Sustainable Livelihoods

Support local communities through responsible resource use

Eco-Tourism

Develop alternative economic engines for the community

🎣 How Sport Fishing Drives Conservation

Every booking you make creates a ripple effect of positive change across Mafia Island

Direct Conservation Funding

5% of every booking goes to marine protection

Supports Marine Megafauna Foundation research programs
Funds coral reef restoration and monitoring projects
Contributes to whale shark acoustic telemetry studies
Supports "go-slow zones" for boat traffic management

Raising Community Awareness

Education programs that transform mindsets

Workshops on reef ecology and long-term conservation value
Teaching sustainable fishing practices to local fishers
Demonstrating how eco-tourism outperforms destructive fishing
Community-led monitoring and rule-making participation

Empowering the Next Generation of Ocean Guardians

We're working directly with Mafia Island's youth to provide employment opportunities so they can lead marine conservation efforts themselves

Youth Training Programs

Comprehensive training in eco-tourism, marine biology basics, and sustainable fishing practices

Boat handling & safety certification
Marine life identification
Customer service excellence
First aid & emergency response

Direct Employment

Creating sustainable jobs that keep youth engaged in protecting their ocean heritage

Tour guides & boat captains
Equipment maintenance crew
Marine park rangers
Conservation research assistants

Community Leadership

Empowering youth to become ambassadors for marine conservation in their communities

School education programs
Beach cleanup initiatives
Coral reef monitoring
Whale shark research support

The Impact

When local youth see viable career paths in conservation and eco-tourism, they become the strongest advocates against destructive practices. Our programs have helped reduce illegal fishing by 60% in participating communities, proving that economic empowerment and environmental protection go hand in hand.

🏆 Conservation Success Stories

Thanks to community collaboration and sustainable tourism, Mafia Island has achieved remarkable conservation milestones

Whale Shark Protection

Legal protection secured in Tanzanian waters since 2012

IUCN Important Shark & Ray Area

Biodiversity Protected

400+ fish species and vibrant coral reefs safeguarded

822 km² Marine Park

Sea Turtle Conservation

Endangered green, hawksbill & leatherback turtles nesting

Protected Nesting Beaches

Habitat Restoration

Mangrove forests and seagrass beds serving as marine nurseries

Active Restoration Programs

🤝 A Model for Africa: Community-Centered Conservation

Unlike many protected areas that exclude local people, MIMP was designed with 18,000–23,000 residents living within its boundaries

Collaborative Management

Local fishers participate in rule-making and monitoring of marine resources

Alternative Livelihoods

Training in eco-tourism, guiding, and sustainable crafts reduced destructive fishing

Education & Awareness

Programs teaching communities about reef ecology and long-term conservation value

Research Partnerships

Marine Megafauna Foundation and other institutions provide data-driven management

Join Us in Protecting This Extraordinary Ecosystem

When you book a tour with us, you're not just going fishing—you're becoming part of a conservation success story that's protecting Mafia Island for generations to come.

Book a Conservation-Focused Tour Learn About Our Research Partners

Common Questions

Mafia Fishing Competition – Frequently Asked Questions

Your complete guide to planning an unforgettable eco-adventure on Mafia Island, Tanzania

General Questions

The 2026 competition offers three participation packages plus optional Mafia experiences:

Tour	Duration	Group Size	Difficulty	Price	Best For
🎣 Full Package — Single	12–15 Nov	Per person	Competition	USD 1,735	Half board, single, transfers
🎣 Full Package — Double	12–15 Nov	Per person sharing	Competition	USD 1,675	Half board, sharing, transfers
🎣 Fishing-Only Package	12–15 Nov	Per person	Competition	USD 1,465	No accommodation or transfers
🐋 Whale Shark Experience	Optional	Max 6	Easy	USD 100	Transfers, tea, coffee, fruits
🏝️ Sandbank and Snorkeling	Optional	Max 10	All levels	USD 80	Snorkel gear and lunch

Where Adventure Meets the Ocean

Where Local Wisdom Meets Ocean Adventure

Curated Ocean Adventures

Mafia Island Fishing Competition Cast. Conserve. Connect. · 2026

A four-day sport fishing, community and conservation event

Prize structure

2026 participation packages

Full Package — Single Occupancy

Full Package — Double Occupancy

Fishing-Only Package

Opening & Closing Dinner

Whale shark · Sandbank

Whale Shark Experience

Deep Sea Fishing Expedition

Sandbank and Snorkeling Experience

Where You'll Stay

🌊 Located Within Marine Park & Reserve

Superior Rooms - Direct Beach Access

Ghuba Ocean View

Kisiwa Ocean View

Pwani Ocean View

Standard Rooms - Great Value

Bahari Ocean View

Ufuo Garden View

Come and Visit Us

What travelers say

Ready for Your Ocean Adventure?

Price Calculation

Our Commitment to You

Privacy notice

Current Conditions in Mafia Island

Mafia Island, Tanzania

Latest from Social Media

@mafiafishingcompetition_

Mafia Fishing Competition

Moments from the Ocean

More Than Fishing: Protecting Our Ocean Heritage

Mangrove Restoration

100 School Bags for 100 Futures

The Story of Mafia Island

The Crisis (1980s-1990s)

The Solution (1995)

Three Core Objectives

🎣 How Sport Fishing Drives Conservation

Direct Conservation Funding

Raising Community Awareness

Empowering the Next Generation of Ocean Guardians

Youth Training Programs

Direct Employment

Community Leadership

The Impact

🏆 Conservation Success Stories

Whale Shark Protection

Biodiversity Protected

Sea Turtle Conservation

Habitat Restoration

🤝 A Model for Africa: Community-Centered Conservation

Collaborative Management

Alternative Livelihoods

Education & Awareness

Research Partnerships

Join Us in Protecting This Extraordinary Ecosystem

Discover Mafia Island

📍 How to Get There

🎯 Tour Spots

🌊 Best Time to Visit

Mafia Fishing Competition – Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Booking & Payment

Accommodation (Basecamp Mafia Island)

🔹 Superior Rooms (beachfront, 35–40m²):

🔹 Standard Rooms (great value):

Conservation & Sustainability

Getting There & Logistics

What to Bring & Prepare

NIKO-GREEN SYSTEMS

Why Choose Cloud-Based Systems?

Accessibility

Real-Time Data

Low Maintenance