Name: Big Blu Mafia Island Diving Resort
Address: Utende Beach, UtendeMafia Island, Mafia Island, , Tanzania, Mafia Island, Mafia Island, Mafia Island, 61701, Tanzania
Rating: 9

Smoke-free property

Garden

Terrace

Outdoor furniture

General

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Locker

Linens

Rooms

Safe-deposit box

Dry-cleaning

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Restaurant

Packed Lunches

Bottled water (at extra charge)

Meals

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer

Spanish

English

Languages Spoken

Free parking

Parking

Beach facilities

Beach/pool towels

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Diving

Snorkelling

Sports

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the resort

Big Blu Mafia Island Diving Resort

Mafia Island

I did two days of diving and one day of snorkeling with Big Blu. The diving was some of the best I’ve ever done - huge shout out to Hassan our dive master, who spotted two green sea turtles (which are normally super shy). My first day we stayed inside the bay because I was looking for something easy and shallow after not diving for awhile, and the dives were perfect to get back into it. The coral was so beautiful, especially with the light shining on it - super healthy reefs. The second day we did out/in, and our “in” was right on the boundary of the bay. We saw a lot more big stuff and overall I enjoyed the “out-in” dives more, but I’m glad I did both and the second day was much drift-y-er.

I really appreciated how mindful the staff was about the environment. You could tell they care about the marine park - both days our dive masters picked up fishing line and other trash we found on the reefs, and they explained a lot about the local conservation efforts. Yes you have to pay the marine park fee to dive here but it’s making a big difference to protect the reefs.

The whole operation at Big Blu is flawless. Equipment is great, they get you set up the morning of your first dive and tag your stuff so you can keep it each day. The boats leave in time with the tides but you’ll go out on a motorized dhow which has a cool vibe. We had early-early mornings because of the tides so they gave us breakfast - egg sandwiches, fruit, muffins, tea, coffee - during our surface interval. Groups were small; one day we were four and the other we were six including dive masters, and we were always the only group at the sites.

I stayed at their sister property Bustani but they provided transport for diving every day, which worked brilliantly. I also ate at the restaurant a few times and hung out at the beach. The manager and bartender/restaurant team are all super nice and helpful and the food is good. They’ll also give you a locker for the day if you aren’t staying there, so you have a safe place to store stuff you don’t want to get wet on the boat or sandy at the beach.

And one of my favorite little thoughtful features that I’ve never seen anywhere else - they have a little built-in pool to rinse your feet after you come off the beach.

Two great days of diving with Big Blu

BigBlu Marine park is an amazing place in the paradise that is Mafia Island. We were completely satisfied with our stay. The rooms are simple yet very comfy and spotless clean. Right smack in front of the sea. 

Not a lot of room which give the resort a family feeling. Everyone dives and do activies together and you meet some great travellers. 

The dive team is well organized and professional. Dives were great especially the night dive !! Also whale shark ! 

All in all, just a great experience. Highly highly recommend!

Special thanks to Abu, big Boss, Em and all the others!

Cheers.

Nico & Gwen

Amazing stay, little paradise in Mafia.

What great service here at Big Blu, every one of the staff is lovely. Baker and Suleiman at the bar are so kind and one night set up a table with flowers and candles right on the beach for me and some other guests I met which was quite special, hearing the waves and the wind under the stars. M and Ashraf literally held my hand throughout the dives. I'm a certified diver but I go so infrequently I feel rusty every time so they really helped me feel comfortable and showed us some really great ocean life in the beautiful reefs. I had some concerns after reading a review here that a girl paid more than she was told,I can tell you they have the prices clearly written out. The only surprises I'd say regarding price were probably my fault for not reading fine print, but there's a daily fee (about $30 USD a day) you have to pay before you even get there to enter the marine park. Also diving equipment is not included in the package. The one complaint I would have (and two separate guests had the same complaint) is that the linens while clean should probably be retired as they had discolouration on a lot of it and very stained mosquito nets. I found that disturbing but on the while rooms were beautiful and clean and thank goodness had air conditioning. I loved my stay and wanted to steal the one dog. Highly recommended as a place to put your feet up and relax

Go for the welcome coconut

The best place to be on Mafia Island and l loved every second of my stay! Ally, the manager of the place is the friendliest host ever and you feel welcome from the first second you get there. So is the rest of the staff! Soo lovely people you never wanna leave again:) 

I loved the garden and the very peacefull enviorment. You are enjoying the nature but still get the luxoury of great food and comfort.

The dive shop is on a very high level and quality is important to all off them. Also there, just the best staff and allways a great boat crew. Everybody there is very professional and the equiment is in great state. Also they are very organised so on my first day l picked a number and they marked regulator, bcd, bag everything with it so it was allways great order.  I have no words to describe how much l loved this place so you just have to try out yourself... Book directly with Maura as she is also the most helpfull with everything.. (Due to Covid l didn't know if everyting works out and Maura was the most pacient and helped me to organise everything.

Paradise in paradise

Maura is the perfect hostess. She answered very fast in every question that I had. Really flexible with the booking and always thinking a step ahead. Unfortunately I didn’t meet her in person but that’s a reason to come back. Hopefully!!!
About Big blue,is the definition of relaxation. The place has everything you need. The rooms very clean and spacious. All the setting is fantastic. A piece of land on the sea and around full with tropical trees. The guys from the diving centre everyday helped us plan our day with activities suggestions.we did snorkelling and the whale safari( unforgettable experience) and a tour at Chole island but unfortunately I didn’t have the time to do diving but that is another reason to be back. .
Maura Ali Hassan Ash Aisha Papa Fish and Abou Thank you so much for an unforgettable stay.
Ahsante Sana

The definition of hospitality

Big Blu is just great, honestly nothing bad to say about the place at all. 

It is a diving resort so of course the whole point of the resort is people wishing to dive / snorkel which means that you are surrounded by like minded people. 

It was very quiet when i stayed (thanks Covid) but the staff went above and beyond at all times.  The chef and restaurant staff were so nice, they found out what i didnt eat and made sure that there was always something for me.  

The rooms are very comfortable and cleaned religiously. 

Thank you to everyone at Big Blu, particularly my best friends (the 2 gorgeous dive dogs Rocky and his brother!) 

I will 100% be back for more diving at some point!

I Love Big Blu!

Thank you so much for the great time the beautiful dives and the helpful instructions and advices during the advanced open water course! It was the most beautiful dive place i have ever been too! Also the surroundings, accommodations and food was great.
Super friendly staff and a special thanks to Abou!

Advanced Open Water Course

Big Blu is my favorite dive center and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a wonderful place to relax and enjoy beautiful dive sites! The underwater wild life is stunning. The staff is professional, fun to be around and create a great atmosphere. I also enjoyed the accommodation and the delicious food which contribute to the great overall experience. Many thanks to the whole team at Big Blu <3
It was already my third visit and might not have been my last ;) Badaaye

Best Place Ever!

I did not actually stay at the Big Blu resort, I went diving with them and also joined on a turtle hatching tour and a tour of Chole Island. Everything was really well organised and all the staff from reception, to dive masters and boat captains are super friendly. They are all very accommodating and helpful. With regards to the diving the visibility when I was there was superb - one of the most clear water places I have been. The corals are healthy and colorful and there are a lot of reef fish, a few sharks, turtles and lots of tiny, colorful nudibranchs. The dive masters are good at spotting life under water and we saw well camouflaged leaf fish, crocodile fish, stone fish etc. Thumbs up for you guys!

Mafia is a small island, and Utende a small village, so there are not a lot of places to eat. I stayed in the village and mostly ate my meals there, but one day after dives I had my lunch at Big Blu - I am sad to say that for me the menu was rather disappointing, there is not one single Swahili dish on it. All food on the menu is European, why this is I have no idea. Before arriving on Mafia I spent time other places in Tanzania and tasted some truly delicious Swahili style dishes and would have loved to find some of this also on Mafia.

Diving Mafia

We loved every minute of our stay at Big Blu. Samuel, the manager and all of the staff were friendly, helpful and pleasant.  The dive staff was professional, fun and knowledgeable. The accommodations were comfortable and the food was delicious. I would love to come back and spend more time there. The dive sites were beautiful as well. Very relaxing and beautiful location.

Big Blu Mafia Island Diving Resort

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