Tanzania Marine Conservation & Diving

Tanzania's coast is home to some of the most spectacular diving in the world. The crystal clear waters host a wealth of marine habitats and wildlife, making this a perfect location to scuba dive and explore this pristine and magical underwater world.

Check out our camp tour for a taste of what to expect on the Frontier Tanzania marine camp.

The vivid, multi-hued coral reefs support a dazzling array of tropical reef fish and provide rich feeding grounds for turtles, rays and other marine creatures, whilst the deep blue offshore waters support sharks, dolphins and whale sharks, as well as vast shoals of cruising pelagics.

Dive and snorkel to explore this pristine seascape and you'll discover and chart extensive areas of undamaged coral, find healthy populations of multicoloured fish, see turtles and marine mammals, and learn to recognise a huge diversity of inter-tidal animals from tiny hermit crabs to pastel-hued anemones.

On shore apart from relaxing on the island's perfect, undeveloped beaches, you may have the chance to work in the lush mangrove forests, unique ecosystems which straddle water and land. You'll learn about the activities of the traditional shark fishermen and the inter-tidal gleaning women, as well as discovering and reporting which marine organisms are being sustainably harvested and which are being dangerously depleted.

The work you carry out will be rewarding and exciting, and hugely beneficial to Marine Park's conservation efforts, as well as being amazing fun! At the end of the day you will gain immense satisfaction from knowing that you have helped to save this precious marine wilderness, protecting it for future generations.

Read the latest science updates from this project on SeeConservation

Check out all the latest updates, videos, pictures and articles
from our Tanzania projects on the Gap Year Blog:

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Help to monitor & conserve coral reefs and observe rare African marine wildlife
• Earn your PADI Advanced Open Water certificate 
• Make lifelong friends as you snorkel and dive in the crystal blue tropical ocean

 

Location	Mafia Island, Tanzania
Activities	Dive and snorkel to locate & map coral reefs Dive and snorkel to study the various coral reef communities Discover & record living organisms Dive and snorkel to do underwater visual census of reef & commercial fish Assess algal & coral reef cover to determine the extent of coral bleaching & damage Line intercept transects for benthic life & indicator invertebrate species Record observations of the feeding habits & behaviour patterns of a range of marine life Study the impact of dynamite fishing on the corals reefs Report the effects of global warming on marine communities Observe the impact of a marine park on the health of the ecosystem and associated organisms
Transport	Airport pick-up from Dar es Salaam can be arranged at extra cost and first night hostel accommodation in Dar es Salaam can be arranged at extra cost (£40/$60)  Airport pick up available from Mafia Island Airport  Transfer to camp from Mafia Island Airport
Accommodation	Communal camp

Before you go

Pre-departure support Travel & medical advice & documentation Equipment advice Processing of Exemption Documents by In country staff Discounted medical kit Free Frontier t-shirt UK residential briefing weekend including food, accommodation and training FREE for 10 week+ volunteers (US$128 per person for those participating for less that 10 weeks)

In-country

Airport pick up from Dar es Salaam and transfer to hostel in Dar es Salaam and first night hostel accommodation can be arranged at an extra cost Transfer by light aircraft to Mafia Island (extra cost applies about US$160/$155)  Airport pick-up at local airport on Mafia Island and transfer to the camp Accommodation on marine camp Food on camp Local orientation Project training Dive training courses available PADI Open Water US$400/$390, PADI Advanced Open Water US$368/$360 FREE use of Frontier project dive equipment, including tanks, BCDs, Regs, weights, compressor Personal dive kit available for hire   24-hour international HQ back-up In-country emergency support Vocational qualification diploma or certificate in Tropical Habitat Conservation may be available depending on length of stay Free park & reserve entrance fees(usually $20 per person per day) & research permits if applicable Discounted advanced dive courses: PADI Emergency First Response (US$160/$155), PADI Rescue Diver (US$480/$465), & PADI Divemaster qualifications (US$800/$780) CoPE qualification available depending on length of stay BTEC Qualifications available depending on length of stay

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Migrating Humpback Whales & Whale Sharks

Mafia Island is about as close as you can get to the quintessential Indian Ocean tropical paradise. The tiny island of about 40,000 is a friendly, laid-back place that has long been praised as a diver and sea angler's paradise.

Mafia's luxuriant mangroves, luminous sea grass beds and dazzling coral reefs play host to a multitude of tropical reef fish, thorny and spotted seahorses and four species of graceful and gentle sea turtles. Offshore there are dolphins and rays, and the deeper waters are a regular stop-off for migrating humpback whales and giant whale sharks. You can experience all this when you join the Frontier camp on Mafia Island and learn to dive in the crystal clear, immaculate waters of Tanzania's exclusive Marine Park.

If you are joining this project between November and January then you may have the opportunity to conduct surveys on the transient whale shark population. You may be recording details of sightings and monitoring returning whale sharks. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to conduct awareness raising activities with tourists visiting Mafia Island.

Dynamite Fishing Damaging Coral

Threats to the coastal environment on and around Mafia Island are on the up as unregulated tourism is on the increase and the level of the local population is rising. Increasing competition for food means that artisanal fishing techniques such as seine-netting become inadequate and inefficient, encouraging use of less discriminate catch practices such as dynamite fishing. Other threats include the over-harvesting of shark fins, octopus and sea cucumbers and the over-collecting of shells and corals for the expanding marine curio trade.

Swim with Dolphins, Rays & Turtles

Your underwater exploration will involve you in mapping the incredible biodiversity of the coastal area and marine habitats. While diving you will locate and record spectacular coral reefs and survey dazzling reef fish and turtles. If you are there at the right time of year you may even observe marine mammals.

Discover Swahili Culture

Sailing out on the traditional Frontier dhows you will dive from the boat and discover what it is like to sail on a traditional Tanzanian fishing vessel. Through participating in environmental awareness raising in local schools and community activities, you will experience the cultures and lifestyles of local peoples.

The time of year that you visit the project will greatly affect the type of work you are involved in as much of our research is heavily dependent on the season.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

The marine research and conservation programme is run in association with the University of Dar es Salaam (with whom Frontier has been in partnership for over twenty years). The project provides the local communities and government bodies with the information they need to sustainably manage this priceless marine ecosystem preserving it for future generations. To gather the data needed you will dive, locate and map the extensive coral reefs and study the various communities existing on them.

Living and working in an internationally recognized marine protected area will give you access to a fantastic array of wildlife and ecosystems. You may have the opportunity to dive on habitats untouched by destructive fishing practices, and help monitor the success of a variety of conservation methods. The data collected on our commercial fish surveys aids the marine park in maintaining the most up to date and dynamic management plans for the future of the region, so we can be confident that Mafia Island will remain a stunning destination for many years.

You will explore and record the living organisms that inhabit the luxuriant mangrove forests, dense sea grass beds and productive inter-tidals in the area. To do this you will use a range of newly learned research skills and scientific techniques including: underwater visual census of reef and commercial fish such as trigger fish and parrot fish, assessment of algal and coral cover to determine the extent of coral bleaching and damage, and line intercept transects for benthic life and indicator invertebrate species such as nudibranchs. You will observe the feeding habits and behaviour patterns of a range of marine life. You may even get to study the impact of dynamite fishing on the corals reefs, report the effects of global warming on marine communities or observe the impact of the marine-curio trade on endangered marine invertebrates.

Whilst diving, you'll see an extraordinary array of animals from turtles to manta rays, sea cucumbers to feathery starfish, and spiny urchins to octopus. When you sail out each day on the Frontier sailing dhow to distant dive sites you may even be accompanied by dolphins or encounter gigantic Whale Sharks. By the end of your project you will be expert at identifying hundreds of coloured and patterned reef fish as well as being an experienced and competent diver. Those joining the project for a short period of time may not be able to participate in a full range of project activities. Some project activities are seasonal.

You'll get immense satisfaction from having made a valuable contribution to the conservation of this untarnished marine wilderness. You will return home with the new friends you've made and a wealth of incredible photos, videos, stories and memories.

You'll find your team to be a fun, dynamic mix of ages and experiences, with members who all share a passion about travelling in developing countries and saving endangered marine life. Your staff will be young, friendly individuals who are highly experienced in their field and many have also volunteered on a Frontier project earlier in their career.

For further information about Frontier marine conservation work see the publications section of this website.

DIVING OPPORTUNITIES

Check out our video on Frontier Gap Year TV from Frontier-Tanzania, showing you our volunteers diving.

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

We can arrange an airport pick up for you at Dar es Salaam Airport and a Frontier representative will escort you to a local hostel where you can spend your first night relaxing and recovering from your journey, these costs are extra and you can pay our representative US$64/$60 directly. The following day our rep will return you to the airport in time for your internal flight on the eight seater light aircraft to Mafia Island, please ensure you book your flight well in advance. Once on Mafia Island you will be met by Frontier staff, either at the small harbour town of Kilindoni or at the airport on Mafia and transferred by vehicle to the marine conservation project camp site at Utende. We can provide you with detailed instructions on how to reach the Mafia Island camp if travelling independently.

It is possible to reach Mafia Island by ferry but sailing times can be very unpredictable. If you choose not to fly you will need to travel via the port town of Nyamasati, 90 km south of Dar, from here you will travel by ferry, (approximately a 6-hour trip) to the town of Kilindoni on the western side of Mafia Island. Once on the island you will be met by the Frontier marine field staff at the small harbour town of Kilindoni.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

During the project you'll live on our marine camp at Utende on the east coast of Mafia Island. You will have an authentic and memorable living experience. The Frontier marine camp was constructed by local craftsmen, using traditional building techniques and local  materials. 

Camp life is very simple, unsophisticated and fun. You will be staying in communal bandas; huts made from makuti (woven palm leaves), poles and mud, sleeping on beds constructed from sustainably harvested wooden poles, your "shower" will be a jug or a bucket of water and you cook over an open campfire: so prepare for the basic, unencumbered lifestyle! On occasions you may have to sail further to reach a distant dive site, and then you will stay in a "satellite camp", usually a mosquito net pitched on a beach. For those looking for a bit more privacy upgrades to local lodge style accommodation are available at an extra cost of US$24/$20 per day.

As well as the diving and marine conservation work you may help with the community outreach and environmental awareness work in the local villages, scientific data entry and daily camp maintenance, taking turns to cook, tidy and clean the camp, clean and oil the compressor, rinse dive kit, collect firewood, prime hurricane lamps, collect and treat and water, help with a wide variety of other essential camp duties.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

Camp food is simple and nutritious and consists largely of rice, vegetables and beans all of which are purchased locally in order to help support the local economy. Luxuries such as chocolate, biscuits, peanut butter and drinking chocolate can be purchased in Kilindoni but tend to be very expensive, so make sure you stock up before heading to the field!  Part of your role on camp will be to help with the cooking, so get your cookbooks out now and start practicing! Also, with luck you'll be invited to local parties and festivals – a great way to integrate with the local communities in the nearby villages and absorb the local culture. 

What Next? Apply Now!

VENTURING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK  | 15 May 2013
After a bumpy but fun journey to camp, I was pleasantly aware that I was heading well off the tou...

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TIME FLIES...  | 3 May 2013
It has now been 3 weeks since I arrived on camp and I’ve settled in quickly. Every day is a...

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BETTER THAN EXPECTED!  | 26 Apr 2013
It really is better than I expected here! The small camp is situated a short walk from the beach,...

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TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN  | 24 Apr 2013
It has now been 3 weeks since I arrived on this special island called Mafia. Now I am really into...

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PART OF THE FAMILY  | 11 Apr 2013
Arriving on Mafia, everybody seemed really nice and friendly from the beginning. Now I have been ...

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INCREDIBLE CREATURES IN TANZANIA  | 28 Mar 2013
We are seeing some incredible creatures in Tanzania and the photos coming back to camp after ever...

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LIFE IN TANZANIA  | 28 Jan 2013
Life in Tanzania is amazing. The place is beautiful with loads to see and do, and the people on c...

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PARADISE ISLAND  | 23 Jan 2013
My overall experience with the Frontier Tanzania Marine project was great. The people on camp wer...

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AMAZED BY THE SEA LIFE IN TANZANIA  | 18 Jan 2013
  When I arrived on Mafia and realized how basic it was I immediately felt homesick, how...

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SETTLING WELL IN TANZANIA!  | 15 Jan 2013
Very excited to have met Frontier’s staff members and other new volunteers on site!! The fo...

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1 to 10 next >

CHANGES TO THE TANZANIA HIPPO PROJECT  | 21 Feb 2013
Over the next few months the Tanzania Marine programme wants to initiate a conservation and ecoto...

THE THREATENED UNDERWATER WORLD  | 4 Dec 2012
For years our precious underwater world has been taken for granted, firstly for its resources and...

CARIBBEAN CORAL REEFS IN DANGER  | 18 Sep 2012
A recent report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has re...

MAFIA ISLAND MARINE PARK A PLACE TO REMEMBER  | 13 Aug 2012
Mafia is a wonderful Island lying on the southern coast of Tanzania, near to the Rufiji Delta.

ROBOCOD - THE FUTURE OF (MARINE) LAW ENFORCEMENT  | 30 May 2012
Scientists at the University of Essex have helped design a robotic fish capable of monitoring pollution.

Unknown underwater biological noises aka: fish farts!  | 4 Apr 2012
    Marine biologists from the Centre of Ocean Technology at the Universit...

Snorkel surveys with local students on Mafia Island  | 13 Dec 2011
Research on the Tanzania Marine Conservation & Diving project based on Mafia Island has been working more closely than ever with the local schools in the last week.

Research in Tanzania is go, go, go!  | 16 Nov 2011
A jam-packed phase for research volunteers in Tanzania

A whale of a time with whale sharks!  | 2 Nov 2011
It’s an exciting time to be with the Frontier Tanzania marine project at the moment!

Hippo Excitement in Tanzania  | 27 Oct 2011
With volunteer training coming to an end anticipation is high for surveys to begin

Mud, mud, glorious mud – hippos wallowing in Tanzania  | 22 Sep 2011
Finishing last phase with a bang, our team on Mafia Island off the Tanzanian coast went to investigate sightings of a 'bloat' of hippopotamus....

A fishy solution?  | 20 Jun 2011
It would be fair to say that the connotation of successful captive breeding programs for endanger...

Protecting earth's 'blue' carbon  | 28 Mar 2011
The rapid destruction of coastal ecosystems has seen the importance of these huge carbon sinks in the fight against climate change.

trigger happy  | 17 Mar 2011
An welcome increase in trigger fish!

Is ecotourism beneficial to mangroves?  | 10 Feb 2011
Recent mangrove surveys on Mafia island, Tanzania have highlighted the role that the tourism industry can play in habitat destruction.

De-Finned Shark Found in Chole Bay  | 21 Jan 2011
The Mafia Island team in Tanzania found a shark without its fins this week; a sad sighting which is part of a much larger global problem.

Over-fishing blamed for Urchin outbreak  | 17 Jan 2011
New research shows that over-fished areas have a higher abundance of sea urchins comes as bad news for coral reefs. This emphasises the importance of fishery management strategies, such as MPA's.

Birds & Bats: Life on the Line  | 6 Dec 2010
Power lines are resulting in numerous bird deaths. However, according to a recent report, preventetive measures can be taken to reduce the incidence of fatalies.

Warning: Ecosystems Out of Service  | 26 Oct 2010
The need for conservation is greater than ever, according to a recent report from the WWF.

Turtles Ahoy!  | 22 Oct 2010
On a recent dive the volunteers on the Tanzania Marine project were lucky enough to see not one, not two, but FIVE turtles!

Fish on the menu again!  | 31 Aug 2010
The Frontier Tanzania Marine team have been collecting data on the commercial fish around the Marine Park, to determine the extent to which fishermen are benefiting from the conservation measures.

Reef Fish populations recovering on Mafia Island  | 29 Jul 2010
Reef fish are extremely important within coral reefs; however, many species are threatened. In Tanzania the Frontier team have been studying the reef fish populations in intensively fished areas.

Promising Results for Corals in Tanzania  | 21 May 2010
Tanzania African Wildlife Conservation AdventureIn 1995 the first multi-user marine park was created in Mafia Island based on Frontier data

Great hopes for fisheries on Mafia Island!  | 18 Mar 2010
Following the return of Frontier within the Marine Park boundaries, near the village of Utende, monitoring efforts are now concentrating on investigating the impact of the Marine Protected Area

Diary of Henry Marriner  | 1 Mar 2010
We went snorkelling along a reef in the bay this afternoon; just to give us a quick taster of what’s to come. There are so many fish!

Coral Recruitment and Recovery in Tanzania  | 5 Feb 2010
Following the recent move of the Tanzania Marine team back within the Mafia Island Marine Park, the research team have begun a new research project

Back to the marine park!  | 21 Jan 2010
Current volunteers in Fiji were given the unique chance to snorkel with some gentle giants as Manta birostris

Swimming with Whale Sharks in Tanzania  | 10 Dec 2009
I glance above the water and 20m away a monumental fin towers upwards

Sharpnose Puffer Fish Population Inflates!  | 16 Nov 2009
The Tanzania Marine Research team has recently observed an unusual phenomenon on the reefs of Mafia Island

There She Blows! Frontier’s Having a Whale of a Time  | 1 Oct 2009
Volunteers on both our Tanzania Marine and Madagascar Marine Programmes have been rubbing shoulders with ocean giants – humpback whales

Fish spa on Mafia Island  | 8 Sep 2009
In the crystal east coast waters of Mafia Island, Frontier’s Tanzania Marine Research Team are carrying out a groundbreaking study into a shark's best friend: cleaner wrasse

Where eagles nest  | 25 Jun 2009
Frontier's marine research team on the Tanzanian Island of Mafia don't spend all their time with their heads down surveying the coral reefs

Fish on the menu again!  |
The Frontier team in Tanzania are currently collecting data on the commercial fish both within and outside the Mafia Island Marine Park in order to assess the potential benefits to local fisherman.

THE CAPACITY OF FISH TO COPE  |
    Photo Courtesy of pommekiwi1   Recently there has be...

FRONTIER GAP YEAR TV

We have two fantastic videos available on our Official Youtube page, which show you the diving conditions on Mafia Island, showing you the beautiful marine life you are likely to be swimming with! 

Tanzania Marine Highlights

Mafia Island Diving 2010 by Russell Knight

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Frontier-Tanzania camp is fun and in your spare time you'll have opportunities to swim and snorkel, play football against the unbeatable local side or try out beach volleyball. Alternatively you may enjoy a traditional Saturday night themed camp party, play poker, chess or backgammon or join in a camp quiz night. After a long hard day of sailing and diving you may prefer to relax with a drink and sway in the camp hammock, or sit and chat to your new friends beside a roaring campfire, under a sky lit up by millions of stars. Later you will drift off to sleep lulled by the gentle lapping of the Indian Ocean.

dive courses run monthly commencing on the first monday of the month

• Single Day Snorkelling US$16/$16
• Single Day Dive US$48/$50
• Double Dive US$80/$80
• 4-dive package US$160/$160
• 10-dive package US$320/$320

courses*

• Discover Scuba Diving US$104/$100
• Open Water Dive Course US$400/$390
• Advanced Open Water US$368/$360
• Emergency First Response US$160/$155
• Rescue Diver US$480/$470
• Dive Master US$800/$775

*Medical certificate is mandatory for participation in dive courses

rental equipment (prices per day)

• Jacket/BCD US$8/$8
• Regs US$8/$8
• Wetsuit US$8/$8
• Mask/Snorkel US$5/$5
• Fins US$5/$5
• Computer US$11/$11
• Torch US$11/$11