| |
 |
-
The park was
established under the
Marine Park and Reserves Act, 1994, is the first of its
kind in Tanzania. It covers an area of 822 square kilometers around
the south end of
Mafia Island and
Chole Bay. Moreover, the park
comprises of the
Rufiji Delta estuarine further west. This
estuarine is rich in Mangrove trees and the Coral Reefs which
provide home for more than 400 species of fishes.
-
Aquarium:
About 1 kilometer off the western shoreline of the island, there is
a 200 meter deep contour along the seabed which acts as an
aquarium. It hosts a vast number of marine species and provide
excellent scuba diving ground.
-
Marine Life:
Ranges from big and colorful fishes, shells, sea sponges, to sea
cucumbers. Coral bommies in the sand, stag-horn corals and
other colorful hard and soft corals. The park has also a variety of
tropical fishes. Among them are Barracuda, Flying fish,
Triggerfish, Red mullet and Parrotfish. It is this wide variety of
fishes and coral marine life that has kept tourists
flocking to the area.
-
The best diving
places are:
Chole bay, Ukuta and Tutia
Reefs around Juani and Jibondo islands, which are part of
the Mafia
Island.
-
The best season
to visit is from August to March before heavy rain starts. Diving
and snorkeling facilities are available. Well equipped boats
with safety gears, communication facilities and experienced crews
are available.
Diving
lesson are offered at the Marine National Park.
The area is well
suited for snorkeling, which needs the depth of at
least 3 to 6
meters of water. Snorkeling can start from Pole Pole Bungalow, Kinasi Lodge
or Mafia Island Lodge.
|
|
|
|
