The best times to visit Mafia Island for ideal weather are
May 28th to September 16th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Mafia Island Travel Guide
Other Mafia Island Travel Info
Weather in Mafia Island
Temperature
Average temperatures in Mafia Island vary very little. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot all year with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 21st percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Mafia Island, the hottest months are January, February, and then December. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late January and early February where highs are regularly around 92.1°F (33.4°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 76.8°F (24.9°C) at night.
Mafia Island Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Mafia Island Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Mafia Island Perceived Temperature (F)
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Mafia Island Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Mafia Island Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 90.8 | 83 | 77 |
| Feb | 91.8 | 83 | 76 |
| Mar | 91 | 81.7 | 75 |
| Apr | 88.5 | 79.7 | 73.7 |
| May | 87.5 | 78.1 | 71.6 |
| Jun | 86.9 | 76.6 | 68.3 |
| Jul | 86.4 | 75.4 | 66.6 |
| Aug | 87.1 | 76 | 67.1 |
| Sep | 88 | 77 | 67.7 |
| Oct | 89.9 | 79.4 | 70.6 |
| Nov | 90.2 | 81.2 | 73.6 |
| Dec | 91 | 82.7 | 76.1 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32.7 | 28.3 | 25 |
| Feb | 33.2 | 28.3 | 24.4 |
| Mar | 32.8 | 27.6 | 23.9 |
| Apr | 31.4 | 26.5 | 23.2 |
| May | 30.8 | 25.6 | 22 |
| Jun | 30.5 | 24.8 | 20.2 |
| Jul | 30.2 | 24.1 | 19.2 |
| Aug | 30.6 | 24.4 | 19.5 |
| Sep | 31.1 | 25 | 19.8 |
| Oct | 32.2 | 26.3 | 21.4 |
| Nov | 32.3 | 27.3 | 23.1 |
| Dec | 32.8 | 28.2 | 24.5 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Mafia Island are July, June, and then August. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late June. For example, on the week of June 25th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early April with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of April 2nd.
When can you find snow in Mafia Island? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Mafia Island.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Mafia Island (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8% | 0 | 1.3 |
| Feb | 9% | 0 | 3.2 |
| Mar | 28% | 0 | 7.5 |
| Apr | 39% | 0 | 11.6 |
| May | 26% | 0 | 5.3 |
| Jun | 5% | 0 | 0.5 |
| Jul | 3% | 0 | 0.7 |
| Aug | 7% | 0 | 1.1 |
| Sep | 8% | 0 | 1 |
| Oct | 9% | 0 | 2.6 |
| Nov | 23% | 0 | 5.6 |
| Dec | 18% | 0 | 4.5 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 | 0 | 3.3 |
| Feb | 9 | 0 | 8.1 |
| Mar | 28 | 0 | 19.1 |
| Apr | 39 | 0 | 29.5 |
| May | 26 | 0 | 13.5 |
| Jun | 5 | 0 | 1.3 |
| Jul | 3 | 0 | 1.8 |
| Aug | 7 | 0 | 2.8 |
| Sep | 8 | 0 | 2.5 |
| Oct | 9 | 0 | 6.6 |
| Nov | 23 | 0 | 14.2 |
| Dec | 18 | 0 | 11.4 |
Humidity and Wind
Mafia Island has some extremely humid months, and high humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is September (70.1% relative humidity), and the most humid month is April (82.1%).
Wind in Mafia Island is usually calm. The windiest month is January, followed by February and December. January’s average wind speed of around 10.5 knots (12.1 MPH or 19.5 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early January where average top sustained speeds reach 16.5 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Mafia Island.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 10.5 | Gentle breeze | 16.3 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 9 | Gentle breeze | 15.7 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 5.4 | Light breeze | 13.6 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 5 | Light breeze | 12.8 | Significant breeze |
| May | 5.9 | Light breeze | 14 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 6.4 | Light breeze | 14.8 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 7 | Gentle breeze | 15.7 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 6.4 | Light breeze | 15.3 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 6.2 | Light breeze | 15.5 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 6.3 | Light breeze | 15.5 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 6.2 | Light breeze | 14.3 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 8 | Gentle breeze | 15 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 71.6% |
| Feb | 71.4% |
| Mar | 77% |
| Apr | 82.1% |
| May | 80.4% |
| Jun | 73.8% |
| Jul | 71.9% |
| Aug | 72% |
| Sep | 70.1% |
| Oct | 70.8% |
| Nov | 74.2% |
| Dec | 73.6% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Mafia Island?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe, but with extra warnings in a few regions. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings and regional advisories for Tanzania; exercise a high degree of caution and avoid some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Oct 26, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Mafia Island, Tanzania is July, followed by September and October. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Mafia Island in June. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Mafia Island Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 92.1°F (33.4°C) and 86.8°F (30.4°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 8 to 12 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is fairly slow for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 2 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Mafia Island, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 90.8°F (32.7°C) and 87.2°F (30.7°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 3 to 7 days per month. Tourism is the busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be higher priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in Mafia Island to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 92.1°F (33.4°C) and 90.5°F (32.5°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 2 to 6 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Tanzania › Mafia Island, Tanzania