Thanda Island – picture perfect paradise in Africa

Our helicopter rose into the sky and the complete of the Indian Ocean seemed to extend out just before us, glistening turquoise. A 30 minute hop absent by helicopter, Thanda Island, a tiny teardrop of sand off the east coastline of Tanzania, awaited us. Hunting below we could see a regular fishing dhow, carving its way by the azure drinking water.

A sea turtle bobbed briefly on the surface area, before submerging once again. White sandbanks gleamed in the sunshine, beside sapphire blue channels of deeper h2o. Ahead of us a tiny speck of an island came into perspective. We circumnavigated the island by air, in advance of coming in to land.

Only 8 hectares in dimensions, 1km in circumference and 350 meters vast, this tiny piece of paradise only will take 15 minutes to wander close to. Thanda Island is a jewel in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, and 1 of the world’s most distinctive island getaways. Thanda Island opened in 2016, and considering that then has been voted the World’s Main Unique Private Island, 7 many years operating, by the Planet Vacation Awards, the vacation industry’s most prestigious awards programme.

Situated in the Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve, a maritime protected area amongst the Tanzanian mainland and the Mafia Island archipelago, this shark fin formed triangle of sand is a secluded paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, that guard it from stormy seas.

Thanda was made with family members in thoughts, the homeowners wished to produce a sanctuary where generations of people could invest time alongside one another, to reconnect and bond, absent from the distractions and pressures of the exterior planet. At the coronary heart of the island is an sophisticated seaside-home villa, with 5 double bedroom suites, that all direct straight to the seashore.

In the roomy residing location, there’s an indoor aquarium stuffed with tropical fish, a non-public library, a Steinway grand piano, an extraordinary wine collection and even a cigar humidor. The outside dining location has 180⁰ sights out about the ocean and the glass sided infinity pool. There are two, double tale thatches chalets on the other aspect of the island, for all those of your celebration who may want a bit a lot more seclusion.

White sand rings the island, fringed by glittering, aquamarine drinking water. The beach front is excellent for sunbathing and shell accumulating walks, and at night beach dinners beside a crackling beach bonfire, are a fantastic conclusion to the working day. Phase off the shimmering sand and into the h2o and you are going to uncover by yourself immersed in the biggest marine guarded reserve in the Indian Ocean, and the only non-public marine reserve together the full East African coast. Coral, sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins and much more are residence below, and the island’s resident marine biologist can guidebook you on out to see blue-spotted stingrays, trumpet fish, cornet fish, jewel damselfish, and countless other vibrant tropical fish. Of training course, if you really do not fancy, or want, a guide, you can just don mask and fins, dive into the drinking water and take a glimpse for you.

Scuba diving is another favourite exercise. The waters all around Thanda teem with unbelievable marine lifestyle, like more than 400 species of fish. If you are not a diver and want to study, this can be organized at Mafia Island Diving on close by Mafia Island. Dives are finished from classic Arab dhows in the Mafia Island Marine Park, which has some of the most impressive diving off the East African Coastline.

A definite emphasize of the waters around Thanda are the whale sharks. Swimming with these mild giants of the ocean is 1 of the most remarkable ocean ordeals you can at any time have. Whale sharks can expand to an astonishing 18m, and despite their name, are harmless, feasting only on plankton. You can swim with these incredible creatures, the biggest fish in the earth, just south of the island, from October to March.

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For those hunting for actions over water, there is a boathouse complete of tools, with every little thing you have to have for sailing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Adrenaline junkies can test their hand at h2o-skiing and tubing, or perhaps deep-sea fishing on the island’s 28ft reef runner cat. There’s also a full tennis court docket, volleyball court, yoga sessions and a thoroughly equipped health and fitness center, if you are looking to continue to keep lively. If you’d desire a minimal significantly less action, then most likely a cruise on a conventional dhow is extra your pace, alternatively the island’s attractiveness and therapeutic massage specialists have made a comprehensive vary of exclusive massages, facials, and overall body treatment options that will have you experience rejuvenated and comfortable in no time.

Eating on Thanda is an practical experience in itself. The foodstuff is new and delectable. If you adore seafood, then this is heaven – fish carpaccio, sashimi, sushi, prawn curries, refreshing caught lobster, mangrove crabs, tuna, purple snappers, seasonal oysters freshly-picked from Thanda Island, and a choice of other contemporary fish. For wide variety the menu also includes beef, sport, poultry, vegetarian dishes, seasonal veggies and tropical fruits. From eating at the villa’s spectacular eating desk, to al fresco foods on the beach less than a cover of stars, wood fired pizzas, picnics on sandbanks in the ocean, and Swahili feasts that spotlight the exotic flavours, spices and aromas of Tanzania – the foods is diversified and fantastic.

What commenced as the owner’s desire to find a little, distant, uninhabited tropical Island off the coastline of East Africa, is right now just one of the world’s most exclusive non-public island getaways, a picture-perfect beach getaway, and a paradise for expending time jointly with household or good friends – and as the island is only accessible to e book on an ‘exclusive use’ foundation, you are assured to have the overall island to your self for the period of your continue to be.

Thanda Island is pure escapism and exceptional magnificence at its quite best. In Swahili, Thanda means to like or to love… and this specific position features up a good deal to slide in really like with.