Butiama Marine Camp

Overview

Key Features

When to Visit

Butiama Marine Camp Tours

Rates/Bookings

Designed for the budget traveller, Buatiama Marine Camp offers accommodation needs for all scuba diving enthusiasts. This is one of the best diving destinations in Africa where you can experience the most mesmerizing marine life while staying close to nature in one of their Safari Tents. Their aim is to provide clean basic facilities and good food with local ingredients, all at a fantastic price.

Scuba Diving

Butiama features Big Blu Mafia Island Dive Centre, a large and fully equipped dive centre. The Dive Centre enjoys a prime location in front of the beach with great views over Chole Bay. Diving trips are planned in line with the everchanging local tide times which means that diving times will change each day. They offer double daily dives either on high or low tide in accordance with the time. They also sometimes offer third/night dives depending on the time. For double dives they have the surface interval on the boat with coffee, tea and biscuits before going for your second dive. The PADI Instructor and PADI Divemaster are always happy to discuss and plan your vacation to ensure that you get the best experience during your stay here.

Reasonably priced accommodation

There are several en-suite bungalows located very close to the Diving Centre with hot water, private bathrooms, outside seating areas, air conditioning, and comfy beds kitted with mosquito nets. The Marine Camp also has Safari Tents which can sleep 2 guests with light, power sockets, twin beds, and safety deposit boxes inside. Towels and linen are provided. Designed to accommodate divers, they have packages available inclusive of Airport transfers, accommodation, and diving.

Friendly Staff

Your stay at Butiama Marine Camp is complemented by the ever-friendly staff that go an extra mile to ensure that you get the best Island experience at this hidden gem. All the staff, from the reception, dive masters and boat captains are exceptionally friendly, accommodating, and helpful. The well experienced dive masters are excellent at spotting the underwater wildlife and you are assured to see the stone fish, crocodile fish and many more.

Nov-Apr:

Lush green scenery and best sunsets
Flowers and birds galore
Few tourists
Cheaper rates

May-Jun:

Beautiful green scenery after rains
Fantastic photography opportunities
Dry weather
Mild temperatures

Jul-Oct:

Warm/hot temperatures
Best for snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing
Whale watching
Dry weather

Category Ranges:
$: USD 0 – USD250/pppn
$$: USD 251 – USD600/pppn
$$$: USD 601 – USD1,000/pppn
$$$$: USD1,001+/pppn

The price categories give you an idea of the nightly cost per person for this accommodation.

I Love Big Blu!

Big Blu is just great, honestly nothing bad to say about the place at all. It is a diving resort so of course the whole point of the resort is people wishing to dive / snorkel which means that you are surrounded by like minded people. It was very quiet when i stayed (thanks Covid) but the staff went above and beyond at all times. The chef and restaurant staff were so nice, they found out what i didnt eat and made sure that there was always something for me.

The rooms are very comfortable and cleaned religiously. Thank you to everyone at Big Blu, particularly my best friends (the 2 gorgeous dive dogs Rocky and his brother!). I will 100% be back for more diving at some point.”

A TripAdvisor Member
Wonderful experience at Big Blu

We loved every minute of our stay at Big Blu. Samuel, the manager and all of the staff were friendly, helpful and pleasant. The dive staff was professional, fun and knowledgeable. The accommodations were comfortable and the food was delicious. I would love to come back and spend more time there. The dive sites were beautiful as well. Very relaxing and beautiful location.

A TripAdvisor Member
Little Paradise

Big Blu is a dive centre located in a beautiful spot in the Marin Park in Mafia Island. It has everything thing you need to spend few days, you can dive, relax, snorkelling, go for a whale shark tour… everything is offered in a very professional way. Rooms are comfortable, tidy and with AC. The staff is so helpful and special thanks to Jenny and Simon (GM) and Warren from dive centre, they made my stay so easy and comfortable. The meals are really good, I especially enjoyed the dinners; food, fish, deserts and everything is fresh and baked there, they really have an amazing cook in the kitchen. 100% recommended.

A TripAdvisor Member