Frequently Asked Questions

It all depends on what you want. The weather is coolest in June through September. Great snorkeling is available at all times. SCUBA diving is best after the tradewinds switch in September or October. Turtle hatchings peak earlier in June /July but there are still a few nests to visit throughout the year. The whale shark season runs from the beginning of October to February, sometimes up to March . The rainy season starts mid March onward and lasts for three months. We close for staff annual leave and maintenance March 31st until June 15th.

Mafia airport is on the West coast of Mafia island 15km from Utende on the East Coast where our boat will meet you to ferry you 1 km across to Chole Island. We offer a meet and greet service transfer service from Mafia airport to Chole Island for $40 per car (maximum 6 people). You can take a taxi from the airport (about $30) or a tuktuk, known locally as bajaji (about $10). If you let us know what time you will be arriving in Utende our boat will meet you or for the very independent who don’t mind lengthy waits – you can take the local ferry (about $1.00). The ferry runs on demand, or when it fills up between 8am and 6pm (try to avoid lunch hour – I think the ferry man has a girlfriend and often goes missing between 12.00 and 14.00).
Wear your water-shoes and clothes that can be hitched above the knee for wading to the boat.

You can enjoy your time at Chole Mjini without a cent of cash in your pocket but you may want some cash for tips and other purchases. There are locally made crafts and products like mats, coconut rope, hand forged nails for sale in the village and some local currency would certainly help. There is an ATM (local currency only) located near the airport on Mafia island. Diving, whale shark excursions, your bar bill and other excursions with us can be paid by card though cash is always welcome. We also have a tipping pool that is cash only, we cannot add this to your bill. We do not want to teach our children to become beggars and ask you not to give cash or anything else to encourage begging behavior. If you want to help people of Chole village please speak to our community liaison person, Hisan Tawakali, who will help ensure that your donation is transparent, accounted for and goes to the right destination.

The Red Herring Café is solar powered and is the only place with (220V) charging points for Chole Mjini guests. You can safely leave your electronics with our attendant staff for charging during the day. We charge off the sun, so charging is limited to day-light hours (9.30 – 17.00). Standard three prong UK or 2 prong plugs fit. SA round prongs do not.

Absolutely. We are located in the heart of the Marine Park closest of all the lodges to the dive sites the closest being 20 minutes. We offer a choice between private diving with Jean or Anne, who each have more than 25 years of diving experience in and around Chole Bay or diving with the excellent five star PADI centre directly opposite Chole on Mafia island. They will pick you up and drop you off by boat en-route to the dives.

At Chole we are fortunate that for most of the year there are very few mosquitos especially when the cooling trade winds are blowing however you may travel through a malaria areas to get here. We ourselves do not take malarial prophylaxis but we do take the risk of malaria very seriously so we have test kits and treatment available at all times. Please seek medical advice from your Doctor.

No. Marine Park fees have to be paid in person on arrival at the gate (on the road from the airport to Utende beach) by credit card. Currently the fee is $23.6 per adult per night. Children up to the age of 15, half price.

Certainly. Chole is made for anniversaries and celebrations. It is also a fabulous place for contemplation, off-line retreats and workshops. Contact us.