Zanzibar / Mafia Island vs Maldives — Dive Destination Comparison
Maldives (Maldives) scores 78.8/100 vs Zanzibar / Mafia Island's 68.7/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Zanzibar / Mafia Island for reef diving with 9–24m visibility. Choose Maldives for channel diving at ~$150/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Zanzibar / Mafia Island | Maldives |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 68.7/100 | 78.8/100 |
| Country | Tanzania | Maldives |
| Visibility | 9--24m | 15--40m |
| Water temp | 24--29 C | 27--30 C |
| Max depth | 30m | 40m |
| Current | mild | variable |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $80 | $150 |
| Budget tier | mid range | ultra luxury |
| Best months | October, November, December | January, February, March |
| Dive types | reef, whale shark, drift, night | channel, reef, drift, night, pelagic, cleaning station |
| Min certification | Open Water | Advanced Open Water |
| Key species | whale shark, green turtle, humpback whale | manta ray, whale shark, grey reef shark |
| Google rating | 4.3 (2200 reviews) | 4.8 (9500 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 Maldives when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking manta ray encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $150/dive
Bottom line
Maldives wins on overall score (78.8 vs 68.7), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Zanzibar / Mafia Island is more affordable ($80 vs $150/dive). Maldives has better peak visibility (40m vs 24m).