TANZANIA islands: Zanzibar & Mafia Island Tours and Extensions

After the thrill and dust of safari, the Tanzanian islands are pure paradise. White-sand beaches that actually squeak under your feet, warm turquoise water, Swahili spice in the air, and sunset dhow cruises — this is where you unwind in style or keep the adventure going underwater.

7 Reasons to Add the Tanzanian Islands to Your Trip

• Zanzibar – the classic: 
  Historic Stone Town (UNESCO World Heritage), Jozani Forest red colobus monkeys, Nungwi & Kendwa’s perfect northern beaches, and the east-coast tides that reveal sandbanks at low tide.
• Mafia Island – the marine paradise:
  Quiet, laid-back vibe. September–March you can swim with whale sharks (non-caged, totally wild). The Mafia Island Marine Park has some of the healthiest coral reefs in East Africa and year-round diving/second-to-none snorkelling.
• Pemba Island – the green emerald:
  Lush, hilly, and far less developed than Zanzibar. World-class dive sites (vertical drop-offs teeming with fish), almost empty beaches, and the magical Ngezi Forest. Feels like Zanzibar did 30 years ago.
• Incredible marine life everywhere:
  Whale sharks (Mafia), humpback whales (July–September), turtles nesting and hatching, dolphins year-round, and coral gardens that rival the Maldives.
• Swahili culture & history:
  Stone Town’s winding alleys, spice plantations dripping with cloves and cinnamon, traditional dhow-building villages, and some of the best seafood on the planet.
• Easy combinations with any safari:
  45-minute flight from Dar es Salaam, 90 minutes from Arusha/Serengeti, or 2-hour fast ferry. Add 4–10 nights without complicating your itinerary.
• Something for every traveller and budget:
  Luxury private-island hideaways (Mnemba, Fanjove, Thanda), intimate boutique hotels, family-friendly beach resorts, or simple Swahili guesthouses — we match you perfectly.

Best time to visit

• June–October: dry, sunny, perfect beach weather
• December–March: warm with occasional short showers
• September–March: prime whale-shark season around Mafia

Where to go – our favourite combinations

• Classic: 4–6 nights Zanzibar (Stone Town + east or north coast)
• Marine-focused: 5–8 nights Mafia Island (whale sharks & diving)
• Off-the-grid: 5–7 nights Pemba (diving & total peace)
• Ultimate indulgence: Zanzibar + private island (e.g. Mnemba or Fanjove)

Departure points & logistics

Direct flights to Zanzibar (ZNZ) from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Serengeti, and selected international cities. Light-aircraft hops to Mafia and Pemba. We handle every transfer so you never wait in a queue.

Why Daigle Tours for your island extension?

• Convenience: We’re based in Dar es Salaam – just across the bay!
• Hand-picked accommodation: we’ve stayed everywhere we recommend
• One seamless booking: safari and islands on a single itinerary and invoice
• Private transfers, fast-track immigration, and insider guides in Stone Town
• Exclusive touches: private sunset dhow cruises, secret picnic sandbanks, spice-farm lunches most visitors never see

Whether you want barefoot luxury, underwater adventures, or total beach dropout mode, we’ll stitch the perfect island chapter onto your Tanzania story.