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Butiama is charming small hotel situated on the west coast of Mafia, under ten minutes transfer from the airstrip. The owner, Maura, has lived on Mafia for 20 years and knows the island extremely well and this is reflected in the array of activities on offer — including trips to see the whale sharks which pass by around November to February.

The rooms at Butiama are bright and crisp, each beautifully decorated with fresh colors and tasteful design. They include a large, netted bed with en suite bathroom and decking area to relax and sip a coffee with a view of the sea. Just set back from the beach is the bar, circular in shape with lots of small barazas making it a very sociable place, and the restaurant offers some great dishes including fresh catch-of-the-day. There is also a swimming pool where you can cool down if the tide is out.

The other bonus with Butiama is that it is located outside of the Marine Park zone, meaning that you only have to pay the park entrance fees for the days that you use it, unlike the hotels in the east of the island where it is compulsory. The hotel has a dive center, located within the Marine Park, and can arrange transfers for US$10 per person return (current prices — subject to change). Here you can arrange snorkeling and diving trips, and in season visits to the whale sharks.

OUR RATING: Medium