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. Wanting under we might see a conventional fishing dhow, carving its manner by means of 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. Forward of us a tiny speck of an island got here into view. We circumnavigated the island by air, earlier than coming in to land.
Solely 8 hectares in dimension, 1km in circumference and 350 meters huge, 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 Main Unique Personal Island, seven years working, by the World Journey Awards, the journey business’s most prestigious awards programme.
Situated 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 defend 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 skin world. On the coronary heart of the island is a chic beach-house villa, with 5 double bed room suites, that each one lead on to the seashore.
Within the spacious residing 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 out of doors 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 facet of the island, for these of your social gathering who could desire a bit extra seclusion.
White sand rings the island, fringed by glittering, aquamarine water. The seashore is ideal for sunbathing and shell accumulating walks, and at evening seashore dinners beside a crackling seashore bonfire, are a beautiful 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 personal marine reserve alongside all the 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. In fact, for those who don’t fancy, or want, a information, you’ll be able to 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 unbelievable marine life, together with over 400 species of fish. Should 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 completed 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 light giants of the ocean is likely one of the most superb ocean experiences you’ll be able to ever have. Whale sharks can develop to an astonishing 18m, and regardless of their title, are innocent, feasting solely on plankton. You’ll be able to swim with these unbelievable creatures, the most important 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 apparatus, with all the things you want for crusing, kayaking and arise paddle boarding. Adrenaline junkies can attempt 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 outfitted health club, in case you are trying to maintain lively. Should you’d choose rather less motion, then maybe a cruise on a conventional dhow is extra your pace, alternatively the island’s magnificence and therapeutic massage specialists have created a full vary of particular massages, facials, and physique therapies that may have you ever feeling rejuvenated and relaxed very quickly.
Eating on Thanda is an expertise in itself. The meals is contemporary and scrumptious. Should you love seafood, then that is heaven – fish carpaccio, sashimi, sushi, prawn curries, contemporary caught lobster, mangrove crabs, tuna, pink snappers, seasonal oysters freshly-picked from Thanda Island, and a selection of different contemporary fish. For selection the menu additionally contains 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 seashore 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 diverse and distinctive.
What began because the proprietor’s dream to discover a small, distant, uninhabited tropical Island off the coast of East Africa, is right this moment one of many world’s most unique personal island getaways, a picture-perfect seashore getaway, and a paradise for spending time along with household or mates – and because the island is just out there to e-book on an ‘unique use’ foundation, you’re assured to have all the island to your self at some point of your keep.
Thanda Island is pure escapism and unique class at its best possible. In Swahili, Thanda means to love or to like… and this particular place provides up a lot to fall in love with.