Going to Mafia Island is like going back in the time. Still underdeveloped with not too many locals handling foreign languages but nice people. A lot of chinese low key staff in the boutiques but sometimes quite pricey. Even the beer is cheaper in Europe ! Kilindoni is the main spot and if you don't find a certain thing here , you won't be able to find it on the other part of the island. Island still lacks promotion ( advertising ) and I was disappointed that I wasn't able to find those T shirts with Mafia logo or saying something about the island. I went there for diving - and it turned out to be the most expensive one I had in whole my life - so resume to whale shark watching.until the government change its mind and stops screwing tourists. ( I hope this will happen in the future ). Regarding the diving: I'm an instructor so can lay down a professional thought: good but not outstanding as they brag ... and not worth the money.

Some nice different options for various tours in the marine park. Not really a beach there, and the little sand available is occupied by working fisherman; either side is mangrove. There is a sandbar further out you can visit. Better to stay outside to avoid the marine fees and only pay them when you need to enter it as nicer beaches elsewhere.

KItu KIblu is very close to KIlidoni and the airport (5 minutes walking, if with a backpack no need for a taxi). Centre is 15 minutes either by the beach or bay the main road; not great choice of restaurants and better going by night, it's safe and people are very friendly. Don't forget to say hello (mambo) to all men (women seem not appropriate, probably due to muslim religion) and shake your arm to children at the front door, they will repay with a great smile!! By the beach experience the fisherman village to south and back to town by the jungle, there are a lot of small villages with friendly people. Otherwise tuktuk is a good mean to move along the island until Chole, to north (nice beaches) better take a taxi. Pay attention at the road to Ras kisimani, beach is wonderful but very tough to get there. When in Utende I strongly recommend Pamela beach for a lunch or dinner; she's great and let you experience local food.