Tanzania's Mafia Island keeps a remarkable secret: a resident population of whale sharks that feed near the surface for much of the year, close enough to a small boat that you simply slip in beside them.
These are the largest fish in the ocean, gentle filter feeders the length of a bus, and swimming alongside one as it cruises through clouds of plankton recalibrates your sense of scale.
The best months are October to March when the sharks aggregate in the channel. Responsible operators cap swimmer numbers and keep a respectful distance — choose them.
Mafia is also a serious diving destination, with a marine park protecting some of the healthiest coral in the Indian Ocean. Stay a few extra days; getting here is half the effort.
Good to know
- The best months are October to March, when the sharks gather in the channel.
- Choose operators who cap swimmer numbers and keep a respectful distance.
- Stay extra days for the marine-park diving; getting here is half the effort.
