Action for Oceans Eco Dive - Mafia Island
The team at Action for Oceans Eco Dive are our go-to for really understanding Mafia Island, not just diving it. They’re a small, dedicated crew, passionate about the local ecosystem and it genuinely shows in every briefing and every dive. If you're someone who cares about where your dive money goes, and you want to feel like part of a community rather than just another diver on a boat, these are your people. We really appreciate how they weave conservation into every conversation, making you think a bit more deeply about the reef you’re exploring. Our favourite dives with them are often around Kinasi Pass, particularly if the current is just right for a drift. You barely fin, just glide past enormous barrel sponges and schools of jacks that swirl so thick they momentarily dim the light. We love their early morning trips; the water often has this glassy calm, and you might hear the distant thrum of a fishing dhow before you even splash in. They’re PADI affiliated, so all the usual courses are on offer, but we’d suggest focusing on their guided dives to truly tap into their local knowledge. Ask them about the best time to spot whale sharks, they usually have the inside track. Just don't expect a flashy resort dive operation; this is more about genuine connection to the ocean and the island.
- Location
- Mafia Island, Tanzania, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -8.928894, 39.517433
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.afo.or.tz
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI Dive Center [padi:30343]
- Address
- Kilwa Masoko, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (united Rep.)
Dive Sites Near Action for Oceans Eco Dive
Action for Oceans Eco Dive provides access to 15 dive sites in Mafia Island.
- Bwejuu Wall (wall)
- Bwejuu Wall (wall)
- Chekechea (reef)
- Chole Reef North (reef)
- Coral Gardens (reef)
- Coral Islands (reef)
- Corinne’s Reef (reef)
- Critters Alley (reef)
- Cryptomania (reef)
- Dindini Wall (wall)
- Hulls Rock (reef)
- Jina Wall (reef)
- Juani North (reef)
- Juani South (wall)
- Kasa (cave)
Other Dive Centres in Mafia Island
- Blue World Diving - ["PADI"]
- Mafia Island Diving ltd - PADI
Best Time to Dive in Mafia Island
The warmest water temperatures in Mafia Island occur in January, averaging 28.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.8°C (air: 27.8°C)
- February: 28.8°C (air: 28.0°C)
- March: 28.8°C (air: 27.8°C)
- April: 28.8°C (air: 27.0°C)
- May: 28.8°C (air: 26.9°C)
- June: 28.8°C (air: 26.0°C)
- July: 28.8°C (air: 25.2°C)
- August: 28.8°C (air: 25.0°C)
- September: 28.8°C (air: 25.3°C)
- October: 28.8°C (air: 26.1°C)
- November: 28.8°C (air: 27.0°C)
- December: 28.8°C (air: 27.7°C)
Marine Life in Mafia Island
Home to 165 recorded species including 94 hard corals, 63 reef fish, 3 sharks & rays, 2 jellyfish, 1 other, 1 whales & dolphins.
Notable Marine Life
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
- Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
- Bullet Mackerel (Auxis thazard) - Reef Fish
- Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Tail-spot Squirrelfish (Sargocentron caudimaculatum) - Reef Fish
- Cauliflower coral (Pocillopora verrucosa) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Mafia Island
Based on average water temperature of 28.8°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories