Mafia Island Marine Park
Mafia Island Marine Park is a protected area in the environs of Mafia Island south of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean known as the Mafia Archipelago. It is established In 1 July 1995 the Mafia Island Marine Park was formed to protect the archipelago's reefs with the total area of 882 km². It is the southern most of three islands (Pemba & Zanzibar) located off the coast of Tanzania. Mafia Island is located in the magnificent southern circuit of Tanzania. The park is located between the Rufiji River delta to the west and the open Indian Ocean to the east. The Kinasi Lodge and Pole Pole each have small sections of beach in front of them, with protecting mangroves around. The villages are widely scattered with one adjacent to an area of coastal forest, which has been identified as important for conservation. The Frontier group and local counterparts had also spent time discussing the idea of a multi-user marine park with residents of the area. The island comprises of one large and a number of inhabited and uninhabited off-shore islands around it. These unique habitats include hard coral dominated reefs, soft coral and algal dominated reefs, sheltered back reef systems, inter-tidal flats with hard and soft substrate, mangrove forests, extensive sea grass beds, algal, sponge and soft coral sub-tidal beds.
How to reach Mafia Island Marine Park:
Reach by Road: Mafia is accessible by road and air from Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
Hotels in and around the Mafia Island Marine Park:
Excursion: Interesting / Popular Destination around Mafia Island Marine Park:
Prominent Animals found in Mafia Island Marine Park:
Park Timings of Mafia Island Marine Park:
The Park is open daily from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm.
Map of Mafia Island Marine Park:
Mafia Island Marine Park is a protected area in the environs of Mafia Island south of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean known as the Mafia Archipelago. It is established In 1 July 1995 the Mafia Island Marine Park was formed to protect the archipelago's reefs with the total area of 882 km². It is the southern most of three islands (Pemba & Zanzibar) located off the coast of Tanzania. Mafia Island is located in the magnificent southern circuit of Tanzania. The park is located between the Rufiji River delta to the west and the open Indian Ocean to the east. The Kinasi Lodge and Pole Pole each have small sections of beach in front of them, with protecting mangroves around. The villages are widely scattered with one adjacent to an area of coastal forest, which has been identified as important for conservation. The Frontier group and local counterparts had also spent time discussing the idea of a multi-user marine park with residents of the area. The island comprises of one large and a number of inhabited and uninhabited off-shore islands around it. These unique habitats include hard coral dominated reefs, soft coral and algal dominated reefs, sheltered back reef systems, inter-tidal flats with hard and soft substrate, mangrove forests, extensive sea grass beds, algal, sponge and soft coral sub-tidal beds.
How to reach Mafia Island Marine Park:
Reach by Road: Mafia is accessible by road and air from Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
Hotels in and around the Mafia Island Marine Park:
- Blue Bay Inn
- Molly Pitcher Inn
- Crystal Inn Eatontown
- The Oyster Point Hotel
- Comfort Inn Middletown-Red Bank
- Courtyard by Marriott Lincroft Red Bank
- La Quinta Inn & Suites West Long Branch
- Courtyard by Marriott Tinton Falls Eatontown
Excursion: Interesting / Popular Destination around Mafia Island Marine Park:
- Lake Nyasa
- Lake Natron
- Kalambo Falls
- Amboni Caves
- Tendeguru
- Lake Victoria
- Olduvai Gorge
- Ol-Donyo Lengai
- Mbozi Meteorite
- Lake Tanganyika
- Usambara Mountains
- Isimila Stone Age Site
- Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings
- Amani Forest Nature Reserve
Prominent Animals found in Mafia Island Marine Park:
- Grouper
- Barracuda
- Cigar wrasse
- Queen coris
- Eagle ray
- Manta ray
- Giant trevally
- Yellowfin tuna
- Elephant shrew
- Rainbow runner
- Gold-striped fusilier
Park Timings of Mafia Island Marine Park:
The Park is open daily from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm.
Map of Mafia Island Marine Park: