Mafia Island

Mafia Island lies off the east coast of Tanzania opposite the delta of the Rufuji River. Mafia Island is part of a small archipelago with several much smaller islands, some of which are inhabited. The name Mafia may derive from Swahili words “mahali pa afya” – a “healthy dwelling place” or from the Arabic word “morfiyeh” which means “group” or “archipelago” 

The main town on Mafia is Kilindoni on the west coast. On the east coast is Chole Bay, Mafia's protected deep-water anchorage and original harbour. The bay is studded with islets, sandbanks and beaches, and is protected from the east by reefs and Juani Island.

In more recent times, efforts towards conservation and sustainable tourism flourished with initiatives such as the establishment of Tanzania first multi-user Marine Park in 1995. These endeavors aim to aims to protect Mafia Island natural resoureces while folstering socio-economic growth for its community. 

Its economy thrives on fishing and subsitsence agriculture bolstering the largest plantations of coconut in Tanzania and an underwater paradise attracting tourists  particulary scuba divers, birdwatchers and game fishermen.