Mafia Island Whale Shark Excursion (Swim with Ocean Giants)

Mafia Island Beach Holidays, Day Trips

“The whale shark experience rates as one of our top wildlife experiences of all time… Unbelievable!”

It is one of life’s great privileges to swim alongside one of these gentle giants, and the season when these magnificent animals aggregate here is longer than anywhere else on the East African coast.

They occur in Mafia waters year-round but when the conditions are right they feed on the surface in the shallow waters on the western side of the island, close to Kilindoni and they are therefore easy to find. In this 6-month season, sometime between October and March we visit to swim with them.

Whale sharks are fascinating creatures: some live more than 100 years, reaching lengths of up to 20m and weighing in at 15 tons, yet they are totally harmless, feeding on enormous quantities of plankton that they hoover up as they swim.

No previous experience necessary. Swimming or diving is easy with snorkels only.

Details

From: $350 per adult/ $102 per child 15 or younger

Duration: usually about 6 hours

Start Location: At your hotel, or you can save by making your own way to our launch site by 06.30am

Departure Times: 06.00am pick-up, 06.30am breakfast and briefings, 07.30am launch

Dropoff Time: anytime between 09.30 and 13.30am, depending on the whale sharks

Dress: swimming wear and sun protection (hat and sunglasses)

Fitness Level: all ages/ all fitness levels

Pack: patience and respect