Bawe Island: A Private Island off Zanzibar

Bawe Island is a private island retreat off the coast of Zanzibar, ringed by turquoise water and reef, where barefoot luxury villas sit among ancient baobabs. Reached by boat from Stone Town, it trades the bustle of the main island for the slow rhythm of a place with no through-traffic but the tide.

The dining is more varied than the setting suggests. The Sand is the island's main restaurant, a barefoot experience with live cooking stations; Rising Sun serves interactive teppanyaki beneath a baobab; Sinfonia is a wood-fired Italian trattoria; and the adults-only Beach Club handles relaxed daytime comfort food.

For a Zanzibar trip that ends on total seclusion, Bawe Island is the exclamation point.

Planning Zanzibar? Book your stay with me for preferred-partner perks.