Basecamp Mafia Island
Rooms starts from
$100
About Basecamp Mafia Island
Basecamp Mafia Island is a laid-back eco resort set on one of Tanzania's peaceful and pristine islands. It's the kind of place people come to unwind, spend time in the ocean, and enjoy nature without distractions. This is a great choice if you’re looking for good diving, a quiet setting, and a more personal, low-key stay.
Accommodation Overview
Basecamp Mafia Island is the largest resort in Mafia island and has a total of 27 rooms which are categorized in two types: Standard (Bahari and Ufuo) and Superior Rooms (Ghuba, Kisiwa, and Pwani)
Each room is designed with natural materials and includes air conditioning, an en suite bathroom with hot water, free WiFi, a balcony or terrace, daily housekeeping, towels, toiletries, a minibar, laundry service, room service (available upon request), and tea and coffee making facilities. Depending on the room, views are either ocean, garden, or pool-facing.
Bahari Ocean View (Standard)
A comfortable double room with a queen bed and direct views of the Indian Ocean. A great-value option with a relaxed seaside feel
Air Con
Fan
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
from
$100 pp/pn
Room price based on double occupancy
Bustani/Ufuo Garden View (Standard)
A cozy double room with a queen bed with the views of stunning lush gardens and easy beach access. Ideal for guests wanting peaceful retreat
Air Con
Fan
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
from
$100 pp/pn
Room price based on double occupancy
Kisiwa Ocean View (Superior)
A spacious, newly renovated double room with locally made African-style furnishings, sea views, direct beach access, and a private veranda.
Air Con
Fan
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
from
$125 pp/pn
Room price based on double occupancy
Pwani Ocean View (Superior)
A spacious superior room with a king-size bed, panoramic ocean views and lush gardens. Ideal for guests or couples seeking a romantic option.
Air Con
Fan
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
from
$125 pp/pn
Room price based on double occupancy
Ghuba Ocean View (Superior)
A newly renovated family room with a king-size bed, bunk beds, ocean views, and direct beach access. Suitable for guests with disabilities.
Air Con
Fan
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
from
$150 pp/pn
Room price based on double occupancy
How To Get There
Basecamp Mafia Island is located in Utende, Mafia Island, Tanzania. To get there, guests traveling from other countries can fly into the closest airport, which is Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam. From there, you'll need to take a domestic flight to Mafia Island's airstrip, which takes around 30 minutes.
Once you arrive on the island, the resort team can pick you up, the drive to the resort takes approx. 20 minutes. Please note that airport transfers are available at a surcharge.
Dive Overview
Mafia Island is much quieter than Zanzibar and is one of the world’s top diving destinations, known for its pristine reefs, rich marine life, and uncrowded sites. The resort is located within the Marine Park and Reserve, home to 48 species of coral, extensive seagrass meadows, over 400 species of fish, as well as whale sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and even the rare dugong.
[Read more: Zanzibar, Kenya, & Tanzania Dive Travel Guide]
Food & Drinks
Meals at the resort are a mix of international dishes, simple and freshly prepared with local ingredients. The food is served plated, rather than buffet style, which makes it feels more relaxed and personal. Water, tea, and coffee are included and meals can be arranged in advance depending on your length of stay. The resort can cater for any dietary requirements with advance notice. Guests may not bring their own alcohol, but drinks are available at the resort.
Dive Information
Mafia Island has a lot to offer to divers and remains very untouched. The majority of dives are within the Marine Park, which has a range of coral reefs, walls, sandy patches and seagrass beds, all in reasonable condition and full of life.
Most of the dive sites are a bit shallow, ranging usually from 30 meters, which makes them suitable for beginners. Divers can expect to see a wide range of marine life depending on the season, such as whale sharks, reef fish, rays, turtles, and dolphins.
Diving here is tide dependent so schedules can change from day to day, this means that conditions can also differ – some sites are calm and easy, while others may have stronger currents and are better suited for more experienced divers. Plus there’s a good mix of dive styles. In the bay you can look at colorful reefs, drift along walls and channels or do slower dives looking for smaller marine life in the sandy and seagrass areas.
For those who do not dive, snorkeling is also an option, with shallow reefs and sandbanks providing plenty of opportunities to see close to the surface
Dive Center Information
Basecamp Mafia Dive Club is located at the resort. The team maintains a relaxed but well-organized atmosphere, with a strong focus on safety and small group diving. Trips are timed with the tides, and most dives are from traditional wooden dhows which adds to the overall experience
Dive Center Features:
- PADI courses offered from beginner to advanced
- Small dive groups (usual group size: 4 divers per guide)
- Easy access to dive boats, beachfront location
- Boat diving on a daily basis according to tides
- Traditional dhow boats for diving trips
- Range of dives including reef, wall and exploration dives
- Full dive support & rental of equipment available
- Snorkeling trips and other excursions also available
Resort Map
Resort features
Swimming Pool
Restaurant
Bar
FREE Wifi
Beachfront location
Spa
Gardens
Resort activities
Diving
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Cultural or historical tours
Spa
Customize your Stay
Diving, Meals & Extras
Practical information
Electricity
Languages
Timezone
Local Currency
Accept Credit Cards?