Chumbe Island Coral Park

See more Small Hotels. Near to Zanzibar (12.61 km) in Tanzania.

A tiny coral-ringed island off Zanzibar, with beautifully-designed thatch bungalows, genuinely ecological aims and some of the world's best snorkelling

Picture, if you can, a scaled-down eco-version of the Sydney Opera House, with rooves of pine and palm-thatch, and walls from a restored lighthouse-keeper’s home. Set it on a rocky islet nestling in turquoise seas between east Africa and Zanzibar. Then imagine it gave birth to seven babies who are sheltering in the woods round about. Add a gentle breeze, some fresh seafood and a technicolor sunset, and what have you got?

A headache, no doubt. It’s not an easy thing to picture. So all the more credit to its inspired German creators, who in 1995 visited this army-owned island, saw its untouched coral reefs and dilapidated lighthouse buildings, and dreamed of turning it into an island retreat which would be the cutting edge of sustainable design and ecotourism. With local help, they created a marine park, brought in new eco-technology, and built the ultimate Robinson Crusoe holiday experience. It's one of our favourites, and perfect for romancers and nature-lovers alike.