Mafia Island

15 of the Best Beaches in Africa

"An island about 123 miles south of Zanzibar that is sublimely serene and far less developed—roughly 300 hotel beds compared with Zanzibar's 10,000—so uncrowded beaches are virtually guaranteed. Notable spots include Butiama Beach near the capital Kilindoni and the southern shores of Chole Bay with cookie-crumb-like sands and scenic tidal flats. Offshore, Mafia Island Marine Park protects vibrant coral reefs and elaborate trenches ideal for diving. Pro tip: whale sharks visit between October and March and are best observed with simple snorkeling gear." - Melanie van Zyl Melanie van Zyl Melanie van Zyl’s stories aim to respectfully uplift the voices of the African continent. A conservation-curious journalist, she has photographed and written about Namibia, Mauritius, Botswana, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and her home country of South Africa for almost a decade. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines