Zanzibar / Mafia Island vs Mafia Island — Dive Destination Comparison
Zanzibar / Mafia Island (Tanzania) scores 68.7/100 vs Mafia Island's 63.4/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Zanzibar / Mafia Island for reef diving with 9–24m visibility. Choose Mafia Island for reef diving at ~$90/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Zanzibar / Mafia Island | Mafia Island |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 68.7/100 | 63.4/100 |
| Country | Tanzania | Tanzania |
| Visibility | 9--24m | 10--25m |
| Water temp | 24--29 C | 25--30 C |
| Max depth | 30m | 30m |
| Current | mild | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $80 | $90 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | October, November, December | October, November, December |
| Dive types | reef, whale shark, drift, night | reef, wall, whale shark snorkel |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | whale shark, green turtle, humpback whale | whale shark, hawksbill turtle, Napoleon wrasse |
| Google rating | 4.3 (2200 reviews) | 4.6 (75 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Zanzibar / Mafia Island when...
- + Newly certified divers building confidence
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
Skip if
- - You prefer uncrowded sites and this has 35+ named spots drawing traffic
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Choose Mafia Island when...
- + Divers who prioritize reef diving
- + Anyone visiting Africa for the first time
- + Groups seeking 15+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You prefer uncrowded sites and this has 15+ named spots drawing traffic
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Zanzibar / Mafia Island wins on overall score (68.7 vs 63.4), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Zanzibar / Mafia Island is more affordable ($80 vs $90/dive). Mafia Island has better peak visibility (25m vs 24m).