Chole Island- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Chole Island, part of the Mafia Archipelago in Tanzania's southern Pwani Region, is a small 2.26 km² coral island formed on an ancient fossil reef exposed after the last Ice Age. Located within the Mafia Island Marine Park, it is known for its layered history, ecological diversity, and preserved Swahili heritage. Archaeological remains on the island, including the Chole Island Ruins and the Mnyange Mosque, reflect its medieval connections to Shirazi sailors and later influence from Omani Arab traders who resettled here in the early 19th century following the fall of neighboring Kua on Juani Island. In the late 1800s, the island became an administrative hub under German colonial rule, evidenced by the remains of over 36 stone buildings such as courts, banks, and schools. Although the British later moved the regional center to Kilindoni and dismantled some of these structures, Chole retained much of its historical architecture, which is now partially reclaimed by nature and integrated into the local landscape. The island saw a sharp population decline in the early 20th century but was repopulated after Tanzania's independence through the villagisation program of the 1960s. Today, Chole Island is home to around 1,500 residents who sustain themselves through fishing, agriculture, and a traditional boatyard. The establishment of the marine park in 1996 restricted damaging practices like coral harvesting, encouraging alternative livelihoods such as seaweed farming and eco-tourism. Visitors can explore a living museum of Swahili coastal life, with coral-walled pathways, fruit-laden gardens, and ruins that reveal centuries of human settlement and environmental adaptation.