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We meet certified divers at our Utende dive centre, sort paperwork, then head out for two guided boat dives in Mafia Island Marine Park. Tanks, weights and a local dive guide are included on the standard two tank morning we run when conditions smile.
After kit checks and a full brief, we drop onto coral gardens or walls chosen for visibility and your certification level. Surface interval on deck includes refreshments while your guide maps dive two, adjusting depth and route for air consumption and comfort.
Dive two targets a complementary site, whether that means macro critters on a sheltered reef or a gentle drift along a drop off for experienced guests. Back ashore we help with logbook entries and rinse space before you head to your lodge.
Mafia Island Marine Park holds dozens of named sites from shallow Chole Bay gardens to outer walls where pelagic visitors pass. The bay gives us sheltered training water while outer banks add depth when you want more adventure.
Utende faces the bay with short boat runs, so surface intervals feel like a breather on deck rather than a long commute. Low key lodges and fisher landings keep the focus on sea time and simple evenings after diving.
You need a recognised scuba certification and comfort with boat entries and ascents. Introductory experiences use different schedules when arranged in advance with the dive centre.
Bring certification proof and an honest note of your last dive so we choose conservative profiles. Rental BCD and regulators may be available if you travel light.
Two-tank mornings in Mafia Marine Park are run with divemasters who log thousands of bay dives and brief in calm, plain language. We began as travellers and working guides who wanted to share East Africa’s islands properly, and that still shapes how we plan days from our Stone Town base. Skippers and reef guides on our roster grew up on these coasts, so tides, pickup alleys and marine park rules are handled before you step on the boat.
We match sites to certification and conditions, keep surface intervals unhurried, and help with logbooks before you head back to your lodge. We keep groups small, run honest briefings about wind and swell, and use licensed crews with the permits parks require. If weather shifts we adjust the plan with you instead of forcing the original route. You can ask practical questions about kids, kit and timing ahead of the trip, and you will get a straight answer from people who run these departures every week.
Reef dives expect a recognised open water certificate or equivalent logged experience. Bring your certification card or digital log so the dive centre can verify before boats leave.
Discover scuba style introductions may be available on request when you message ahead. Standard two tank days target already certified adults.
Tanks, weights and a local dive guide are typically included for the two guided dives described on this page. Rental BCD, regulator and wetsuit may be available for an extra fee if you travel light.
Check your fare details for exact kit inclusions. Arrive early so staff can assign gear before the briefing.
Check in happens at the dive centre in Utende on Chole Bay unless operations message a different pier for your date. Parking and gear storage are at the centre before you board the dive boat.
Share your arrival time if you are coming from another lodge on the island. The team can suggest taxis or boat links across the bay.
Guides pick sites inside sheltered Chole Bay or on outer walls depending on certification, experience and daily conditions. The first dive often warms up on coral gardens before a deeper or drift style second site.
Surface intervals include refreshments and a full brief for dive two. You can ask to focus on macro life or larger pelagics when your certification allows.
Yes, guides help with logbook entries and common fish names after you return to shore. Bring your logbook or use a digital app you already rely on.
If you need specific dive numbers for a course, mention it at check in so the team plans appropriate depths.
Certification proof, swimwear, a towel and reef safe sunscreen cover the basics. A dry shirt helps on windy boat rides between sites.
Personal dive computers are welcome when you are trained to use them. Store valuables in a dry bag at the centre during the day.
The standard product serves certified adults. Introductory experiences use shallower training sites and extra instructor time when arranged separately.
Honest disclosure of your last dive date helps guides choose conservative profiles. Long gaps since your last dive may mean a refresher is wise.
Short hops inside Chole Bay are usually calm, while outer sites can see more swell. Skippers postpone or swap sites when conditions exceed safe limits for the group.
Listen to the briefing on entries and exits. Negative entry may be used on drift sites when guides require it.
Some guides carry cameras on select days or can recommend local photographers. Ask at the centre if you want a dedicated photo dive.
Respect marine life distance rules when using your own camera. Flash and chasing are discouraged near turtles and rays.
Partners can relax at the dive centre or explore Utende village while you are on the boat. There is no simultaneous snorkel programme on the standard two tank product.
Plan separate activities if your group mixes certified divers and non divers. The team can suggest snorkel operators for the same day if schedules align.
About the centre
Mafia Island
You'll explore the Indian Ocean coast and islands of Tanzania with guides who know the reefs, sandbanks, and village rhythms of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia. Trips are built around clear briefings, reliable transport from your hotel where offered, and time on the water whether you are snorkelling, diving, kayaking, or riding along the beach.
We focus on small groups and flexible pickup across the archipelago, so you spend less time coordinating and more time swimming, watching dolphins, or sharing a barbecue on a sandbank. Every departure is run with safety and local regulations in mind, and you can ask us about age limits, equipment, and what to bring before you book.
Operated by Exodus Go Tours & Travel, a partner of adventuro.
