Thanda Island: An Exclusive-Use Private Island in a Marine Reserve

Thanda Island is an exclusive-use private island in a marine reserve off Tanzania's Mafia archipelago, taken as a whole by one group at a time. A single villa and two beach bandas share the island with little else, while the surrounding protected waters draw whale sharks in season and shelter green turtles year-round.

Dining here is a series of experiences rather than restaurants. Chef Ulrich cooks with produce from the island garden under the banner Everything is Fresh; a seafood table brings sashimi, lobster and oysters caught off Mafia Island; guests join an oyster hunt paired with champagne; there is interactive pizza-making at a hand-built oven, a Swahili feast, and themed Arabian Nights evenings.

For a honeymoon or a family buyout, Thanda Island is about as private as the Indian Ocean gets.

Dreaming of a private island? Book your stay with me for preferred-partner perks.