Highlights
- Mafia attraction:Sharks come to Mafia to eat easy plankton
- Swimmi with shark: Chance to see and swim with whale shark
- Gentle Giantes: Swim closse to these large harmless shark
- Unique experience: An unforgatable ocean wildilife meeting
- Safe encounter: Tour respects marine rules and their safety
Description
The Encounter: What You Will See
1. Spotting the Shark: Once a whale shark is spotted, the boat approaches cautiously and at a respectful distance.
2. The Briefing: Before entry, the guide will give a strict but quick briefing covering the rules:
• Maintain a minimum distance (e.g., 3 meters from the tail, 4 meters from the head).
• No touching, riding, or feeding the whale sharks.
• Enter the water quietly and calmly.
3. Jumping In: Customers, wearing provided snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins), will slip into the water.
4. The Experience: This is the highlight. You will be swimming alongside the largest fish in the ocean.
• Size: Customers are often struck by the sheer, humbling size of the animal, which can range from juvenile 3-meter sharks to massive adults up to 18 meters long.
• Appearance: You'll see their distinctive grayish-blue skin covered in a unique pattern of white spots and stripes—like a giant, moving constellation.
• Behavior: The whale sharks are filter feeders, often moving slowly and gently, allowing swimmers to observe them at a close, yet safe, distance. They might be vertical feeding or swimming horizontally just beneath the surface.
5. Repeated Dips: The boat will follow the shark for a short time. When the shark dives or moves too far, customers get back on the boat, and the captain repositions for another, separate swimming opportunity. A successful trip often involves several different encounters.
Post-Swim and Return
1. Snacks and Drinks: After the swim, guides usually provide bottled water, sometimes sodas, and light snacks (like fruit or biscuits).
2. Conservation Focus: The guides often share information about the whale sharks, the importance of the Mafia Island Marine Park, and the community efforts to protect these animals, adding an educational layer to the adventure.
Includes
Complimentary return transfer from your hotel
Return flight from Zanzibar
Mafia return airport transfers
Whale shark adventure
Complimentary Kilindoni City tour (Mafia Island)
Watching flying foxes
Local lunch
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
