Mafia Island is a serene and unspoiled tropical haven located off the southern coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. Often overshadowed by its larger, more developed neighbor, Zanzibar, Mafia is the ultimate destination for travelers seeking an authentic, peaceful, and marine-focused escape away from the crowds.

Mafia is not part of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago; it belongs to the Pwani Region. The island’s name is believed to derive from the Swahili phrase Mahali pa afya, meaning “a healthy dwelling-place.” It’s characterized by a relaxed pace of life, strong community ties based on fishing and farming, and minimal large-scale tourism infrastructure.