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 may see a conventional fishing dhow, carving its method 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. 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 measurement, 1km in circumference and 350 meters broad, 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 trade’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 shield it from stormy seas.
Thanda was designed with households in thoughts, the house owners needed to create a sanctuary the place generations of households may 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 sublime beach-house villa, with 5 double bed room suites, that every one lead on to the seaside.
Within the spacious residing space, there’s an indoor aquarium full of tropical fish, a non-public library, a Steinway grand piano, a formidable 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 celebration who might need 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 night time seaside dinners beside a crackling seaside 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 your entire East African coast. Coral, sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins and extra are house 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. After all, when you don’t fancy, or want, a information, you possibly can 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 happen to 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 among the most superb ocean experiences you possibly can ever have. Whale sharks can develop to an astonishing 18m, and regardless of their title, are innocent, feasting solely on plankton. You may swim with these unimaginable creatures, the most important fish on the planet, simply south of the island, from October to March.
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For these in search of actions above water, there’s a boathouse full of apparatus, with every thing you want for crusing, kayaking and get up 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 classes and a completely outfitted gymnasium, if you’re trying to hold energetic. If you happen to’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 can have you ever feeling rejuvenated and relaxed very quickly.
Eating on Thanda is an expertise in itself. The meals is contemporary and scrumptious. If you happen to 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 consists of beef, sport, poultry, vegetarian dishes, seasonal greens and tropical fruits. From eating on the villa’s magnificent eating desk, to al fresco meals on the seaside beneath 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 various 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 the moment one of many world’s most unique personal island getaways, a picture-perfect seaside getaway, and a paradise for spending time along with household or mates – and because the island is simply accessible to e-book on an ‘unique use’ foundation, you’re assured to have your entire island to your self at some point of your keep.
Thanda Island is pure escapism and unique class at its easiest. In Swahili, Thanda means to love or to like… and this particular place presents up loads to fall in love with.
