Mafia Island.. You will probably love this place in Tanzania

Arabiaweather.com- Ismail Ghasimi- Mafia Island is one of the five tropical islands that cluster in the Indian Ocean off the Tanzanian coast and are known as the Mafia Archipelago. They are relatively well-known and less well-known than Zanzibar Island , but are really worth a visit if you are looking for a productive holiday on the beach. the beach.

The Mafia Islands can be reached in a 35-minute flight from Dar es Salaam (the capital of Tanzania ), and upon arrival at the small Mafia Airport you will notice the slow pace of life there, the grass fills the runway and the shacks feature in the airport.

The sandy road leads you to the capital, Kilindoni, and on either side you will see farming and fishing villages, and on the coast you will find mangrove forests and a number of sailing boats that float between the islands and golden beaches with wonderful turquoise waters.

The Mafia Archipelago consists of five islands: Gibondo, Gwani, Chole, Bwijuu, and Mafia Island, all of which are islands that enjoy lush vegetation and wildlife, and are characterized by coconut trees and tropical tree species such as cashews, mangoes, and papaya trees in the interior, and mangrove forests and tidal flats that attract birds marine on the coast.

The ocean here is a great attraction, and in 1995 the Mafia Marine Park was established to protect the coral reefs of the archipelago, especially within Al Shoal Bay. These shallow reefs are ideal for snorkeling and learning to dive. Outside the bay, there is a long coral wall that attracts more experienced divers. There are more than 50 species of coral and more than 400 species of fish.

Mafia Islands is considered one of the best diving areas in Tanzania, where you can always see exciting things under the water, from brightly colored fish in the color of the rainbow to octopus, giant grouper, large cod, and others, and sharks and dolphins are also found in deep waters, and at night Turtles can be seen crawling on remote beaches to nest.

Be aware that due to local winds and currents, it is only safe to reach dive sites outside the bay from mid-September to the end of February.