One of our Africa specialists, Gemma D’Souza, has travelled across idyllic islands in the Indian Ocean and as a water-sports lover herself, recommends one destination in particular that will simply blow you away.
“I spent a couple of days on a private island located off the eastern coast of Tanzania. This island is called Fanjove, and with only six rooms, it truly is private in every sense. To get to the island, you have to fly to a nearby island called Songo Songo. The unexplored Songo Songo Archipelago is a collection of five small islands and homes small villages of local people, most of whom are fisherman. From Songo Songo airstrip, you are met on arrival and guided to the shore, where you take a boat (approximately one hour) across to Fanjove Private Island.
Arriving onto Fanjove Private Island is truly like a dream. The accommodation is what I would describe as ‘barefoot luxury’. The bandas are quite rustic but open out to the Indian Ocean where you have a private beach, all to yourself. From the island, you can enjoy diving, snorkelling, kayaking and dolphin trips. The dolphin trip I went on one morning was unforgettable. With only myself, the boat driver and the guide, we were swarmed by four pods of dolphin (around 200 dolphin) all to ourselves. I put on my snorkel and jumped in. I cannot recommend this island enough, especially for honeymooners.”