Other Activities at Big Blu Mafia Island Dive Centre
Chole Island Tour
Chole Island is one of the oldest inhabited islands in the Mafia archipelago. It has a long, varied history dating back to the 12th Century and was once the capital of Mafia.
On this tour you can explore the ruins that have been overtaken by nature and see the Arabic and German influences, including a prison and customs house. Your guide will take you for a walk across the island through the small villages and varied vegetation (including baobab trees) and show you where traditional Swahili dhows are built by skilled craftsmen using hand tools. Chole also acts as a sanctuary for the Flying Foxes (Fruit Bats) which your guide will help you to see sleeping in the trees during the day.
IMPORTANT: All women must cover their shoulders and knees.
Duration: 2 or 3 hours.
Booking Conditions
Includes: Transport to/from Chole (10 minutes), guide, water.
Excludes: Fee of US$ 5 per person to contribute to the community.
Kua Lagoon & Ruins
Explore the ruins of the old city of Kua, located on the west side of Juani. The 10th Century ruins were once an important trading centre, linking Africa to Asia. The reason for the decline of this city is still undetermined.
Afterwards, head up a shallow channel to the Kua Lagoon – a fierce blue lagoon with a unique feature. As the tide changes, the lagoon is a natural pool filled with upside-down jellyfish! When the lagoon is at low tide you can enjoy the view of crashing waves breaking on the exposed reef.
Duration: 4 hours.
Booking Conditions
This trip is tide dependant and times can vary.
Includes: Transport to/from Juani, snorkelling equipment, guide, water.
Mange Sandbank
A must-do trip for anyone visiting Mafia Island! This remote sandbank offers a stunning scene of white sand and turquoise blue waters.
Start with a leisurely trip in a traditional dhow to the sandbank situated south of Mafia Island. Enjoy snorkelling on the nearby reefs with colourful corals and a variety of fish species. Then for lunch, take a picnic on the sandbank with fire-cooked fish, salad, and pasta. Take a swim in the clear calm water, and enjoy another snorkel in the nearby reef.
Duration: Full day (approx. 10 hours)
Booking Conditions
Price based on minimum of 4 people
Availability subject to tide and weather conditions
Includes: Boat trip, snorkelling equipment, guide, lunch, tea, coffee and water
Excludes: Soft drinks and beers. A selection will be available and charged to your bill.
This site is also available for diving – please ask for more details.
Marimbani Sandbank
Enjoy Marimbani sandbank, located within Chole Bay and only accessible at low tide.
Once there, you can choose between swimming, snorkelling, exploring the exposed intertidal flats, or just relaxing on the beach. Our staff will prepare a shaded area for your comfort and start a fire for the BBQ lunch. Simple but delicious!
Duration: 4 hours
Booking Conditions
Availability subject to tide and weather conditions
Includes: Boat trip, snorkelling equipment, guide, lunch, tea, coffee and water
Excludes: Soft drinks and beers. A selection will be available and charged to your bill.
Chole Bay Snorkelling
Explore the underwater world of Chole Bay! A great trip for all experience levels.
Enjoy discovering all of the sea life that Chole Bay has to offer. With an experienced guide, you will travel by Dhow to one of the many locations available for snorkelling in the area.
Your guide will give you a short introduction to using the equipment (if you are new to snorkelling), then take you into the water to show you the many different species that Chole Bay has to offer.
You will be amazed by the vast array of colours, shapes and sizes!
Duration: 2-3hours
Booking Conditions
Snorkelling locations are tide dependant and times can vary.
Includes: Boat trip, snorkelling equipment, guide, water.
Whale Shark Snorkelling
The main attraction for many visitors to Mafia, take a chance to see and snorkel with Whale sharks – the world’s largest fish at up to 20m long.
During the summer season, the Whale shark can be spotted swimming slowly close to the surface. Once spotted, you calmly enter the water to snorkel alongside them. They can be shy so guests can look, but not touch. Mafia Island follows the “Code of Conduct” which is a set of guidelines used all over the World. Your guide will make you aware of these guidelines for safely interacting with these amazing creatures.
We depart early to the west side of the island, where you go out on a Chachungi speedboat along the channel between Mafia and the mainland.
Duration: Half day (can vary with sightings)
Booking Conditions
Available seasonally (usually November to March)
Weather dependant
Includes: Transport by land to whale shark site, boat trip, guide, snorkeling equipment, water.
Whale Watching
Humpback whales are one of the largest rorqual species; adults can grow up to 16 metres in length and weigh up to 36,000kg. They are found all over the world and can migrate up to 25,000km each year.
Catch the seasonal migration of Humpback Whales as they move between the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the cooler feeding grounds of the Southern Ocean. They are magnificent creatures with surprising acrobatic moves! If you’re lucky, then you can see them breaching the water with a slap of the tail as they re-enter. Not to be missed!
Duration: Half-day (can vary with sightings)
Booking Conditions
Includes: Boat trip, guide, water
*Price based on minimum of 4 people
Available seasonally (usually around July-September)
Weather dependant.
Turtle Hatching
Witness the amazing sight of baby turtles making their way out of their nest and heading into the ocean for the first time!
After a short boat ride, you will arrive at the Island of Juani where the Green Sea Turtle chooses to find areas on the beach to make nests and lay their eggs. After a 45 minute walk through the village and some breath-taking scenery (with some amazing bird species and a monkey or two if you’re lucky!), you will find yourself on the beach watching the babies make their way to the water for the first time.
This experience is made possible by a charity called Sea Sense, who has been working on the island for many years working to preserve numerous species.
Booking Conditions
Includes: Transport to/from Juani (30 minutes), guide, water.
Excludes: Fee of US$ 10 per person to contribute to charity (Sea Sense).
Available seasonally (usually June to August)
