Travel Guide Utende

Utende is the prettiest beach on the island of Mafia. A piece of paradise lost in the Indian Ocean. This is where most of the island's resorts are located. Fishermen's boats lie peacefully on the sand, waiting to set sail. No souvenir vendors, nothing to disturb your vacation here. On this micro-beach, tucked away between the mangroves, you'll find the Pole Pole diving center, which organizes sea outings for divers, and a few fishermen offering their services in dhows for snorkeling on the dozens of nearby reefs and stopping off on a sandbank.Smart info. Entrance to the marine park is US$ 23.60 per person per day for all overnight stays in Utende or when you go sailing to discover the seabed in the classified area. You can pay for your stay in dollars, shillings or credit cards at the Marine Park office (+255 232 402 690; www.mafiaisland.com), located on the road 1 km before arriving in Utende. The stop is compulsory before entering the park's protected area. The only cash dispenser is in Kilindoni, so think about it before driving from the airport.Transport. The round trip from the airport is often included in the price of hotels in Utende (otherwise it's US$20). A dala-dala connects Kilindoni to Utende several times a day. You can also take a bajaj (15,000 to 20,000 TSH) or a piki piki (5,000 TSH).