Is Thanda the best private island in the world?

The turquoise ocean off Tanzania is a special place for these rare and gentle giants, accommodating one of the world’s larger populations. However, the waters here are deserted, with only a sprinkling of traditional Arab dhow boats on the horizon, their skewed sails making for an unusual silhouette. In fact, coastal African tourism is largely overlooked in favour of safaris inland.

For superyachts, the issue has been piracy and doubts about the safety of navigating to and around the region. To arrive here from the Mediterranean, vessels will need either to circumnavigate the continent or cruise through the Gulf of Aden, which has long been regarded as hotbed of piracy. However, the High Risk Area (HRA) on Africa’s east coast didn’t include Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean HRA was removed entirely on 1 January this year in a landmark move responding to the improved situation in the region, largely due to concerted counter-piracy efforts by regional and international stakeholders. According to data provider Statista, the number of piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia (synonymous with piracy on the east coast) has fallen from 358 between 2010 and 2015 to just eight incidents between 2016 and 2021, indicating a decline in the wider region. Yachts heading to this area must still, however, take security measures, consulting insurance brokers and maritime security specialists such as MAST to ensure safe passage. 

Due to the diminishing threat, this spot off the Tanzanian coast in a somewhat forgotten archipelago is becoming increasingly appealing to visiting superyachts. And it’s not surprising with luxurious properties such as Thanda Island to discover.

From the island’s custom Eurocopter, Thanda Island appears a perfect teardrop shape, encircled by white sands and coral reefs (it lies within the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve) with no other land in sight. Taking pride of place is the primary five-bedroom villa, a weatherboarded, whitewashed house with an unspoilt Hamptons vibe and large rooms, each with an outdoor bathtub and shower. 

Through the coconut palms and along a boardwalk there are also two double-storey thatched Tanzanian bandas set directly on the beach. Although these may appear rustic, with their simple wooden exteriors and bamboo interiors, they offer air-conditioned rooms with handmade rugs and cloud-like king-sized beds to snuggle into with just the gentle waves as a soundtrack. 

Wandering along the immaculate white sands, sprinkled with pink conch shells, towards the main villa, I catch sight of the raised glass-sided swimming pool protruding onto the beach. Meanwhile, staff on the beach are beginning to position tables, chairs and even a chandelier on a newly assembled pole as the sun begins to bleed into the horizon.

As I curl up on one of the white-curtained beach cabanas, the scent of freshly baked bread and newly lit fire waft across the sand, a hint of what the evening has in store. The table, which sits on the empty beach next to the flickering firepit, has a white tablecloth that’s scattered with shells and lit with candles.

I walk barefoot down the avenue of tiki torches leading to it, just a few metres from the lapping waves. A crisp white Burgundy is poured into my glass to accompany the warm, freshly baked selection of bread being placed on the table. A soft, buttery lobster, dressed in lemon and herbs, lands before me, having been cooked on the nearby open flames. For pudding, homemade chocolate ice cream, fresh strawberries and a roasted banana arrive on the table, topped with a light dusting of grated chocolate. Feeling suitably replete, I roll over to the neat row of chairs on the beach before the fire and see out the evening with a nightcap of sweet amaretto on the rocks. 

But Thanda is more than simply a luxury resort. Twenty-eight nautical miles south lies Mafia, a banana-shaped island known for its thriving coral reefs and abundant wildlife. Thanda guests are met with warm welcomes here, thanks to the philanthropic approach its owners have taken towards the local community, funding schools and sustainable fishing practices and boosting employment. In the buzzing markets, the colourful containers of tropical fruits and vegetables crammed onto stalls within the narrow avenues provide vital ingredients to Thanda’s kitchens. The shops are filled with vibrant fabrics, many of which are recognisable from the island.