One of the highlights of a dazzling trip to Mafia island is the opportunity to swim with whale sharks.

These beautiful giants are seasonally found just a few hundred meters offshore near Kilindoni Harbour.

A short boat ride towards the west brings you to a feeding ground for the sharks and soon fins and dark shapes are apparent through the glimmering waters of Tanzania.

Up to 24 of them can be seen at one time: males, females, and juveniles, all of which are beautifully marked with alluring stripes and spots.

The larger sharks are estimated at over 8 meters long.
So they are an impressive sight next to the boat, and quite stunning underwater.