Our helicopter rose into the sky and the entire of the Indian Ocean appeared to stretch out earlier than us, glistening turquoise. A thirty minute hop away by helicopter, Thanda Island, a tiny teardrop of sand off the east coast of Tanzania, awaited us. Looking under we might see a conventional fishing dhow, carving its manner by the azure water.
A sea turtle bobbed briefly on the floor, earlier than submerging once more. White sandbanks gleamed within the sunshine, beside sapphire blue channels of deeper water. Ahead of us a tiny speck of an island got here into view. We circumnavigated the island by air, earlier than coming in to land.
Only 8 hectares in measurement, 1km in circumference and 350 meters large, this tiny piece of paradise solely takes quarter-hour to stroll round. Thanda Island is a jewel within the glowing waters of the Indian Ocean, and one of many world’s most unique island getaways. Thanda Island opened in 2016, and since then has been voted the World’s Leading Exclusive Private Island, seven years working, by the World Travel Awards, the journey business’s most prestigious awards programme.
Located within the Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve, a marine protected space between the Tanzanian mainland and the Mafia Island archipelago, this shark fin formed triangle of sand is a secluded paradise, surrounded by coral reefs, that shield it from stormy seas.
Thanda was designed with households in thoughts, the homeowners wished to create a sanctuary the place generations of households might spend time collectively, to reconnect and bond, away from the distractions and pressures of the surface world. At the center of the island is a chic beach-house villa, with 5 double bed room suites, that each one lead on to the seaside.
In the spacious dwelling space, there’s an indoor aquarium crammed with tropical fish, a non-public library, a Steinway grand piano, a powerful wine assortment and even a cigar humidor. The outside eating space has 180⁰ views out over the ocean and the glass sided infinity pool. There are two, double story thatches chalets on the opposite aspect of the island, for these of your get together who could desire a bit extra seclusion.
White sand rings the island, fringed by glittering, aquamarine water. The seaside is ideal for sunbathing and shell gathering walks, and at evening seaside dinners beside a crackling seaside bonfire, are an exquisite finish to the day. Step off the shimmering sand and into the water and also you’ll end up immersed within the largest marine protected reserve within the Indian Ocean, and the one non-public marine reserve alongside your complete East African coast. Coral, sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins and extra are residence right here, and the island’s resident marine biologist can information you on out to see blue-spotted stingrays, trumpet fish, cornet fish, jewel damselfish, and numerous different vibrant tropical fish. Of course, when you don’t fancy, or want, a information, you may merely don masks and fins, dive into the water and have a look for your self.
Scuba diving is one other favorite exercise. The waters round Thanda teem with unimaginable marine life, together with over 400 species of fish. If you aren’t a diver and wish to be taught, this may be organized at Mafia Island Diving on close by Mafia Island. Dives are carried out from conventional Arab dhows within the Mafia Island Marine Park, which has among the most spectacular diving off the East African Coast.
A particular spotlight of the waters round Thanda are the whale sharks. Swimming with these mild giants of the ocean is likely one of the most wonderful ocean experiences you may ever have. Whale sharks can develop to an astonishing 18m, and regardless of their title, are innocent, feasting solely on plankton. You can swim with these unimaginable creatures, the biggest fish on this planet, simply south of the island, from October to March.
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For these on the lookout for actions above water, there’s a boathouse full of kit, with every part you want for crusing, kayaking and arise paddle boarding. Adrenaline junkies can strive their hand at water-skiing and tubing, or maybe deep-sea fishing on the island’s 28ft reef runner cat. There’s additionally a full tennis court docket, volleyball court docket, yoga periods and a totally geared up gymnasium, if you’re seeking to preserve lively. If you’d desire rather less motion, then maybe a cruise on a conventional dhow is extra your velocity, alternatively the island’s magnificence and therapeutic massage specialists have created a full vary of particular massages, facials, and physique remedies that may have you ever feeling rejuvenated and relaxed very quickly.
Dining on Thanda is an expertise in itself. The meals is recent and scrumptious. If you like seafood, then that is heaven – fish carpaccio, sashimi, sushi, prawn curries, recent caught lobster, mangrove crabs, tuna, purple snappers, seasonal oysters freshly-picked from Thanda Island, and a selection of different recent fish. For selection the menu additionally consists of beef, recreation, poultry, vegetarian dishes, seasonal greens and tropical fruits. From eating on the villa’s magnificent eating desk, to al fresco meals on the seaside below a cover of stars, wooden fired pizzas, picnics on sandbanks within the ocean, and Swahili feasts that spotlight the unique flavours, spices and aromas of Tanzania – the meals is diversified and distinctive.
What began because the proprietor’s dream to discover a small, distant, uninhabited tropical Island off the coast of East Africa, is at this time one of many world’s most unique non-public island getaways, a picture-perfect seaside getaway, and a paradise for spending time along with household or associates – and because the island is just accessible to e-book on an ‘exclusive use’ foundation, you might be assured to have your complete island to your self during your keep.
Thanda Island is pure escapism and unique class at its perfect. In Swahili, Thanda means to love or to like… and this particular place presents up lots to fall in love with.