Mafia Island, Tanzania, is one of the most beautiful and peaceful destinations on the Tanzanian coast. Located in the Indian Ocean, south of Zanzibar and off the mainland coast of Tanzania, Mafia Island is known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs, diving, snorkeling, and the famous Mafia Island Marine Park.
But how do you get to Mafia Island, Tanzania?
For most travelers, the easiest and fastest option is to fly from Dar es Salaam to Mafia Island. You can also travel by road and boat from mainland Tanzania, although this option takes considerably longer.
Mafia Island is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, south of Dar es Salaam.
The island is part of Tanzania's Pwani Region and is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, diving, snorkeling, marine wildlife and the protected Mafia Island Marine Park.
The main town is Kilindoni, which is also where Mafia Island Airport is located.
The airport code is MFA.
Because Mafia Island is less developed for mass tourism than Zanzibar, it is an excellent destination for travelers looking for a quieter and more authentic tropical island experience.
There are two main ways to travel to Mafia Island:
By plane from Dar es Salaam
By boat from mainland Tanzania
For most travelers, flying from Dar es Salaam is the best option.
| Option | Route | Approximate travel time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | Dar es Salaam → Mafia Island | About 30 minutes | Most travelers |
| Boat | Dar es Salaam → Nyamisati → Mafia Island | Several hours plus road travel | Budget travelers and adventurous visitors |
The easiest way to reach Mafia Island is by air.
After arriving in Dar es Salaam, you can take a domestic flight to Mafia Island Airport (MFA) in Kilindoni.
Airlines operating flights on the route include Auric Air and Coastal Aviation, with schedules varying according to the season. Current flight searches show direct Dar es Salaam–Mafia services with an average flight time of about 30–31 minutes.
The flight from Dar es Salaam to Mafia Island takes approximately 30 minutes.
This makes flying by far the quickest way to travel to Mafia Island.
The route is generally:
Dar es Salaam → Mafia Island Airport (MFA) → Kilindoni
Once you arrive at Kilindoni Airport, you can continue to your hotel or lodge by road.
Depending on the current schedule, flights between Dar es Salaam and Mafia Island are operated by airlines including:
Auric Air
Coastal Aviation
Flight frequency and departure times can change, so check the latest schedule when planning your trip.
Flight prices vary depending on the season, booking date and availability.
Rather than relying on a fixed price, it is best to compare current fares before booking. Prices can change considerably between travel dates.
If you are traveling during a busy holiday period, booking your Mafia Island flight in advance is recommended.
It is also possible to reach Mafia Island by boat from mainland Tanzania.
The traditional route involves traveling by road from Dar es Salaam to Nyamisati, followed by a boat crossing to Mafia Island.
The basic route is:
Dar es Salaam → Nyamisati → boat → Mafia Island
The boat option can be considerably cheaper than flying, but it takes much longer and is less convenient.
Boat schedules can also be affected by weather, tides, maintenance and local operating conditions. For this reason, travelers should confirm the current service before relying on the ferry as part of a fixed itinerary.
For most international travelers, we recommend flying.
Flying is particularly convenient if you:
Have limited time in Tanzania
Are connecting Mafia Island with a safari
Want a simple and comfortable journey
Have an international flight connection to consider
The boat can be a better option if you have plenty of time and specifically want to experience traveling by sea.
Yes, you can combine Zanzibar and Mafia Island during the same Tanzania holiday.
However, connections between the two islands can be limited and schedules change. Some journeys may require a connection through Dar es Salaam rather than a simple direct flight.
For this reason, travelers should check the current flight schedule before booking their hotels.
A practical itinerary can be:
Zanzibar → Dar es Salaam → Mafia Island
Alternatively, you can visit Mafia Island first and then continue to Zanzibar.
If you are starting your Tanzania trip in Arusha, you will normally need to connect through Dar es Salaam.
A typical route is:
Arusha → Dar es Salaam → Mafia Island
If you are planning a safari in northern Tanzania, it often makes sense to complete the safari first and then travel to Dar es Salaam before flying to Mafia Island.
Mafia Island is an excellent addition to a Tanzania safari and beach holiday.
For example, your itinerary could look like:
Arusha → Tarangire → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Nyerere National Park → Dar es Salaam → Mafia Island
After your safari, travel to Dar es Salaam and take a short domestic flight to Mafia Island.
This combination allows you to experience Tanzania's wildlife and then relax on a tropical island.
Mafia Island Airport is located near Kilindoni.
After landing, you can arrange a transfer to your accommodation.
Many hotels and lodges can organize airport transfers for their guests, so it is a good idea to contact your accommodation before traveling.
If you are staying outside Kilindoni, arranging your transfer in advance is especially useful.
Once you arrive on Mafia Island, local transportation can include:
Tuk-tuks
Taxis
Motorcycles
Private vehicles
Boats for marine excursions
Your hotel or tour operator can normally help arrange transportation around the island.
Boat trips are also an important part of visiting Mafia Island, particularly for snorkeling, diving and marine wildlife excursions.
The best time to visit Mafia Island depends on what you want to do.
For a general beach holiday, the drier months are popular because they offer favorable conditions for outdoor activities, snorkeling and diving.
Mafia Island is also famous for whale shark encounters, making it particularly attractive to travelers interested in marine wildlife.
If swimming with whale sharks is your main reason for visiting, plan your trip around the local whale shark season and confirm current conditions with a reputable local operator.
Mafia Island and Zanzibar offer very different experiences.
Zanzibar has a larger tourism industry, more accommodation options, restaurants, nightlife and historical attractions.
Mafia Island is quieter and is particularly well known for its marine environment.
Choose Mafia Island if you are looking for:
Diving
Snorkeling
Whale sharks
Coral reefs
Quiet beaches
Marine wildlife
Fewer tourists
A more relaxed island experience
For travelers interested in underwater experiences, Mafia Island can be an excellent alternative to the more heavily visited beaches of Zanzibar.
Yes, especially if you want to experience a quieter side of Tanzania.
The island is particularly appealing to travelers interested in diving, snorkeling, whale sharks, beaches and marine wildlife.
Its relatively remote location is actually part of its attraction.
And because the flight from Dar es Salaam takes only around 30 minutes, Mafia Island is easier to reach than many travelers initially assume.
The easiest answer to “Mafia Island Tanzania, how to get there?” is simple:
Fly from Dar es Salaam to Mafia Island Airport (MFA).
The flight takes approximately 30 minutes and is operated by domestic airlines including Auric Air and Coastal Aviation, depending on the current schedule.
You can also travel by road and boat via Nyamisati, but this journey takes considerably longer.
For most visitors, the best route is:
International flight → Dar es Salaam → domestic flight → Mafia Island → hotel
If you are planning a Tanzania safari, Mafia Island can be added at the end of your itinerary for a relaxing combination of African wildlife, tropical beaches and marine adventures.
The easiest way is to fly from Dar es Salaam to Mafia Island Airport (MFA) in Kilindoni. The flight takes approximately 30 minutes.
Yes. There are direct domestic flights between Dar es Salaam and Mafia Island, depending on the current airline schedule.
The flight takes approximately 30–31 minutes.
Yes. Travelers can reach Mafia Island by boat from mainland Tanzania, traditionally via Nyamisati. However, the journey is considerably longer than flying and schedules should be confirmed before traveling.
Yes, but connections can be limited. Depending on the schedule, traveling via Dar es Salaam may be the most practical option.
You fly to Mafia Island Airport (MFA) in Kilindoni.
Yes. Mafia Island is particularly worthwhile for travelers interested in diving, snorkeling, whale sharks, marine wildlife and quieter beaches.
Mon 10 Aug 2026
Mafia Island, Tanzania , is one of the most beautiful and peaceful destinations on the Tanzanian coast. Located in the Indian Ocean, south of Zanzibar and off...
More DetailsMon 10 Aug 2026
Nur wenige Naturerlebnisse sind mit einem direkten Augenkontakt zu einem Berggorilla in den nebelverhangenen Wäldern Ruandas vergleichbar. Für Reisende aus...
More DetailsMon 10 Aug 2026
If you’re planning an adventure in Rwanda, the Congo Nile Trail should be at the top of your list. Although Rwanda is famously known for its gorilla trekking...
More Details
