Chole Island (Mafia): ruins, snorkelling in Chole Bay and access (2026)
Chole Island, also called Chole Mjini, is a small island about a kilometre long inside Mafia's marine park, off Tanzania. People come for the ruins of a medieval Swahili settlement, the baobabs, and snorkelling in Chole Bay. You reach it by boat from Utende on Mafia Island (about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the source). Several sources read on 29 October 2026 quote the marine park fee at US$23.60 per person per day; confirm before you go.
Highlights
The harbour and the bay
A small village with no main road, and fishing boats: life follows the tide.
The ruins
Remains of a medieval Swahili settlement: walls overgrown by trees, a few baobabs.
Snorkelling in Chole Bay
Reefs inside the marine park; operators there also mention whales in season. See Mafia.
The bats
A colony is one of the island's curiosities, mentioned by one source; do not approach the animals.
Practical info
Tips
- There is no scheduled boat service: go through your lodge or a private transfer. Cash machines are rare, bring cash; park payment is by card according to one lodge, or at a gate on the airport road according to another source. Keep the receipt. For whale sharks, see the Mafia season.
How to get there
Fly to Mafia airport, about 15 km by road to Utende (around half an hour according to one lodge), then a boat to Chole.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
Comments
No comments yet.