Whale sharks gather near Mafia Island between about October and March to feed on plankton. Snorkellers can swim beside them, with guides who make sure the animals are not disturbed. They are harmless to people.
Sharks & rays
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The world's largest fish, a gentle filter feeder that visits Mafia Island.
Size
Up to 12 m; some larger
Lifespan
70-100 years
Diet
Plankton, krill and small fish.
Habitat
Warm open water and coastal reefs.
About the whale shark
Did you know?
01
Each shark's spot pattern is unique.
02
They can filter hundreds of litres of water an hour.
03
They can dive deeper than 1,000 metres.
When to see it
Gold months are usually the easiest time to find it.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Where to see it in Tanzania
Trips that go there
Where to meet the whale shark
More wildlife to discover
Sharks & rays
Reef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
A graceful giant ray that glides through the reef channels of the islands.
Pemba Island, Mafia Island +1 more
Whales & dolphins
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops aduncus
A friendly, resident dolphin that lives in the bays around Zanzibar.
Kizimkazi, Nungwi +3 more
Fish
West Indian Ocean Coelacanth
Latimeria chalumnae
A "living fossil" fish, thought extinct for 66 million years, found off the Tanzanian coast.
Whales & dolphins
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
A giant baleen whale that migrates through Tanzanian waters from July to October.
Pemba Island, Mafia Island +2 more
Start Planning
Your wildlife wish list, our job
Tell us what you most want to see and we will plan the season, the place and the guide to match.
Prefer to talk? Call +255 754 123 456