Thanda Island, Shungimbili Island - Tanzania

Thanda Island started with a dream to find a small, remote, uninhabited Tropical Island off the coast of East Africa. Today, it is one of the world’s most exclusive island getaways, a paradise for you to enjoy in complete privacy with family and friends. A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania. Situated in your own marine reserve, you can swim with the gentlest giant of the ocean, the whale shark, and watch sea turtles nesting. Here, you can rest, rejuvenate and enjoy adventure sports in a world where shades of turquoise infuse your days and tropical spices your nights. Infuse your being with the warmth of the sunshine, the glitter on the water and the character of the people. Swim with the gentle whale shark; dive in the largest marine protected reserve in the Indian Ocean; ride the trade winds on a traditional Arab dhow; explore the region in our 1930s classic cruise yacht; indulge in a Swahili or Arabian feast; have a massage or copper bath on the beach.

Thanda Island is located in the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve that is approximately 8ha in size, 1,1km in circumference and 350m wide. It is 16 nautical miles or 30km east of the mainland of Tanzania, opposite the Rufiji River Delta. To get to Thanda Island, international guests fly directly into Dar es Salaam International Airport, where the Thanda Island team will meet you and accompany you through customs, ensuring a smooth, quick entry into this beautiful country. From Dar es Salaam, you can either go directly to the Island by helicopter, or fly to Mafia

Island by fixed-wing charter plane, from where you can reach the Island by boat. Thanda Island offers absolute exclusivity for families and friends to enjoy on a sole-use basis. We can accommodate up to 27 guests when children are included and sharing rooms.

1 Luxury Villa (5 en-suites bedrooms) - Personifying the dream of beach house romance, nostalgia and elegance, it is designed in coastal whites, greens and blues for a perfect East African summer, with luxurious living and sleeping areas leading directly onto the outdoor pool and living area, surrounded by turquoise seas and silken white sands.

Includes an indoor aquarium, a variety of musical instruments, magnificent wine collection, glass rim-flow swimming pool, air-conditioned gym, library including an extensive Ernest Hemingway book collection, and a wraparound dining area with its 180-degree view of the ocean. Each suite includes indoor showers and outdoor baths, air-conditioning, and private patio space

2 Tanzanian Banda Style – these beautiful double-storey Bandas are designed to meet your every comfort while retaining their authentic ocean-cooled island feel. Offers an additional 4 en-suite bedrooms. Glass rim-flow swimming pool, tennis court, fitness centre and yoga pavilion

All-inclusive ocean adventures including scuba diving (whether it is being certified on Thanda Island or taking excursions to Mafia Island) deep sea fishing, snorkelling, sailing, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, water skiing, jet-skiing, wake boarding, tubing or day trips to Mafia Island to experience the pygmy hippopotamus. Spa therapist on the Island to offer all-inclusive menu of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.

Certified marine sanctuary that is home to whale sharks (Nov-Mar), dolphins, turtles (that nest on island Nov-Mar). Environmentally sustainable with off-grid solar power and desalination plant. On site marine biologist assisting with leading conservation and community programs in partnership with Tanzanian Marine Parks and the leading NGO, Sea Sense