Jumeirah Thanda Island

OVERVIEW:

Jumeirah Thanda Island is an exclusive piece of paradise off the East African coast, and one of the world’s finest private beach properties. Located within Tanzania’s largest protected marine area, there’s a rich underwater world waiting to be discovered – at different times of year, you might see dolphins, reef sharks, turtles, whale sharks, and humpback whales as they follow their migratory sea routes through the archipelago. With its five luxury villa suites and two traditional Tanzanian bandas, the island accommodates up to 18 guests, making it a dream getaway for multi-generational families and larger groups. Rates at Jumeirah Thanda Island are based on exclusive use and include a dedicated staff, all meals, a wide range of alcoholic and soft drinks, activities, and laundry. Packages including helicopter transfers and private catamaran charters are also available.

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

Thanda Island is located 33 kilometres east of the Tanzanian coast, within the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, Tanzania’s largest protected marine area just north of Mafia Island. Guests fly into Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport, where the Jumeirah Thanda Island team extends a VIP concierge service through customs and immigration. From there, up to eight guests can travel by Airbus EC 155 B twin-engine helicopter to the property within 25 minutes. Alternatively, 12-seater fixed-wing flights can land at Mafia Island, followed by a 30-minute boat ride or 10-minute helicopter flight to Thanda.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT THANDA ISLAND: 

Jumeirah Thanda Island’s exclusive-use accommodation consists of a main villa with five breezy king-bedded suites for ten guests, plus two freestanding bandas, which accommodate four people each. The villa offers 732 square metres of fully air-conditioned space with panoramic ocean views, and luxury suites with lounge areas, verandas, and indoor and outdoor showers. Extra beds can be arranged for families with young children. Additional features in each unit include mosquito nets, a mini-bar, an in-room safe, a telephone, a hairdryer, and a laundry service. On the other side of the island, but within easy access to the main villa, there are two double-storey beachfront bandas with traditional thatched roofs, each 72 sq. m in size. One of the bandas has two king beds, and the other comes with one king bed and two single beds. These are both air-conditioned and have sublime sunrise views.

In Jumeirah Thanda Island’s main villa, you’ll find a wraparound dining area with 180-degree ocean views, an indoor aquarium, and a library with an impressive collection of Ernest Hemingway’s books. There’s also an air-conditioned gym for fitness enthusiasts, a curated wine collection, and a glass rim-flow swimming pool. As this is such a small island, views stretch out to sea from every angle, while manicured gardens lead the way down to white-sand beaches. The floodlit, astroturf tennis court feels quite surreal – it’s not often you get to play a few games on a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean! Rejuvenating spa treatments are also offered in-suite, on the beach, or at your location of choice. The island has various beautiful locations for fine dining, and the food is first class, tailored to guests' requirements, with cuisine inspired by local produce and including fresh fish. Meals can be taken at the villa, in atmospheric locations beneath the stars, or on a nearby sandbar with uninterrupted ocean views. The staff are exceptional – from the chefs to the boatman and the attendants at the amazing spa, nothing is too much trouble. Jumeirah Thanda Island is fully solar-powered, with great care taken to protect the surrounding environments and marine ecosystems.

*Please be aware that the swimming pool here has no depth markings, so take care before you jump in.

ACTIVITIES AT THANDA ISLAND: 

There’s an extensive list of things to do on the island, and everything has been thought of so you can make the most of your stay in this amazing marine park. Of all the islands and reefs off the Tanzanian coast, the Mafia area is renowned for having the most substantial quantities of marine life. The ocean here will simply blow you away!

• Swim with whale sharks

  - Thanda has its own boats, including a private yacht, from which staff run trips out into the deep water. Depending on the season, you can witness some of the largest sea creatures on the planet in all their splendour, including through swimming with the gentle whale sharks. Magical.

• Cruise the islands

  - Board a luxurious 45-foot catamaran with an onboard music system and a dedicated waiter, and sip ice-cold champagne while exploring the islands and their spectacular marine reserves. Three suites for overnight stays are available for charter with advanced notice.

• Snorkelling and scuba diving

  - Whether you start from the shore or take a boat to more remote areas, this region has a plethora of marine life and coral kingdoms to explore. With Mafia Island Diving as the property’s partner, dives take place in the Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania’s largest marine protected area. Lucky visitors might encounter hawksbill and green turtles, and more than four hundred species of reef fish.

• Other sports

  - Sailing, jet-skiing, yoga and meditation, volleyball court, and tennis are all offered as part of the Thanda experience.

• Sunset dhow cruises

  - These are a must-do! A trip out to watch the sunset, with a boat stocked with sundowners and snacks – an unmissable highlight.

• Island Excursions

  - Visit Zanzibar and other local islands, including Mafia, Juani, and Chole, for their rich history, fragrant spices, dense mangroves, and traditional boat-building communities.