Off the coast of southern Tanzania, where the mainland fades and the sea deepens into turquoise, Jumeirah Thanda Island appears - a private island encircled by colourful coral reefs and warmed by the equatorial sun. Powdery sands melt into clear shallows. Palms sway above winding trails. The air is tinged with salt, and time loosens its grip, answering only to the tides.

 

This is barefoot living at its most effortless - slow days, sun-kissed skin, and the rare freedom of having an entire private island all to yourself.

 

Touching Down in Paradise

The journey begins in Dar es Salaam, where a private twin-engine helicopter lifts above the coastline. From the air, the view shifts into a mosaic of mangroves, sandbanks, and turquoise shallows. The flight is short – 25 minutes – but expansive in view. If your timing is right, you might catch sight of whale sharks moving through these channels in season, often visible just below the surface. And then, five hectares of lush greenery floating within the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, comes to view. As you touch down, there are no crowds, no checkpoints. Just the warmth of the island team’s welcome and the sound of lapping waves.

 

 

Living by the Water

At the heart of the island is the main villa – a relaxed beachfront home designed for long, sun-drenched stays. Five ocean-facing suites open onto shaded verandas and breezy living spaces, with interiors that feel less like a hotel and more like a thoughtfully lived-in home of someone who collects stories, not things. A rim-flow pool stretches towards the horizon, inviting leisurely afternoons in the sun. Indoors an aquarium adds a quiet rhythm to the space, while the library - styled in the spirit of Hemingway, offers a retreat into literature and reflection. From a private gym to a curated vintage grape collection, daily rituals continue uninterrupted.

 

Further along the shore are two traditional Tanzanian bandas. Crafted from locally carved timber and woven palm, these beach chalets offer a more rustic experience, cooled by sea breeze and natural shade. Together, the island accommodates up to 18 guests, making it large enough for celebratory gatherings, and intimate enough to still feel like solitude.

 

Each day brings space to move, and space to rest at your own pace. Mornings can begin with yoga beside the water or a slow jog along the shoreline. Explore winding trails or take to the tennis court shaded by island palms. Then retreat to the spa deck, where treatments, guided by skilled hands and Africology’s natural products, are available as often – or as seldom – as you like.

 

Flavours of the Island

There is no set menu, and certainly no dress code. Menus are crafted ahead of arrival, tailored to your preferences by a private chef and served wherever the mood takes you - a candlelit table in the shallows, a sandbank picnic at low tide, or beneath the stars beside the bonfire. Ingredients are fresh and local. Tropical fruit, vegetables, and line-caught seafood arrive daily from nearby Mafia Island, often served alongside East African flavours and home-made specialities. One evening might bring a Swahili feast or Arabian-themed beach banquet. Another, a private ‘dive and dine’ - fresh sashimi and lobster tail shared aboard the yacht after a coral reef swim.

 

 

Into the Blue

The surrounding waters brim with life - over 300 species of fish, from iridescent shoals to nurse sharks and eagle rays drifting beneath the jetty. Reef walks, dhow sailings, and guided snorkelling bring you closer to this thriving marine reserve. Between October and April, visibility peaks for divers. From November to March, whale sharks arrive - plankton-feeding giants that glide through the reef with slow, deliberate grace. Guests can join the marine team for a guided swim, or watch from the deck of the island’s sleek catamaran, while deep-sea fishing excursions offer a different kind of thrill - time spent tracing the horizon, lines cast into the open water.

 

At the boathouse, days unfold in every direction. Kayaks and paddleboards steer through the reef shallows. Glass-bottom boats offer a glimpse into the underwater world without leaving the surface. Jet-skis, wakeboards, and tubing keep things playful, while sunset dhow cruises bring a slower close to the day.

 

 

Exploration Beyond the Island

While the island itself holds enough for a long, quiet escape, its private helicopter unlocks more of the cultural richness of the Tanzanian coast. Fly to Zanzibar for a spice garden tour and a walk through Stone Town. On Mafia Island, meet the craftsmen who build traditional ngalawa boats by hand. And on Juani Island’s or Chloe Island, visitors can swim in blue lagoons, walk through coconut groves, or explore the centuries-old ruins swallowed by the jungle.

 

A Place of Intention

Jumeirah Thanda Island exists in balance with its surroundings – a working model of sustainability and conservation. Solar panels power most of the island, supported by a desalination plant that provides fresh water independently of the mainland. Waste is managed through a zero-impact policy, with systems for recycling and composting.

 

Its protected waters are home to rare and endangered species, and the island’s conservation work is ongoing. Guests are invited to support conservation efforts through coral planting and reef education, led by resident marine biologist Rianne Laan. A sculpture on the seabed, named Rianne in her honour, aids regeneration by providing a stable base for new coral growth.

 

In partnership with Sea Sense, the island also helps protect nesting sea turtles and supports ongoing whale shark research. 80% of staff are from local coastal communities, trained in hospitality, permaculture, and marine science. Whether in the reef shallows or with the people who call this coastline home, each experience supports a living legacy of care.

 

Life, Slowed

There is no real schedule on Jumeirah Thanda Island, only gentle rituals. Join the chef at the pizza oven for an afternoon of wood-fired cooking or settle in for a film beneath the stars with the island’s outdoor cinema. Birdwatchers can spot coastal and forest species along the island’s edge, while younger guests are invited to explore, learn, and play - from treasure hunts to turtle hatchling releases during nesting season.

 

As the African sun dips and the tide pulls at the shore, a peaceful stillness settles over the island. There are no decisions to make, no clocks to check. Just salt on your skin, bare feet on soft sand, and the people you love beside you. In this far-off corner of the world, life feels lighter, more spacious. And time - usually hurried - slows, stretches, and begins to feel like your own again.

 

Discover the freedom of your own private paradise at Jumeirah Thanda Island.