Chumbe Island Coral Park Hotel - Mbweni (Zanzibar)

Award-winning eco-resort on a private coral reef sanctuary in Zanzibar

Accommodation

Chumbe Island Coral Park houses seven solar-powered eco-bungalows set between the beach and the forest. Each bungalow has a king-size bed on a sleeping platform under a palm-thatched roof, a living room with handmade furniture and a bed-style hammock, and a self-contained bathroom with a high-specification composting toilet. The open design allows natural sea breezes, with solar-powered fans and lights, and rainwater showers.

Activities

Guided snorkeling tours explore the protected coral reef, home to 525 fish species, black-tipped reef sharks, and turtles. Nature trails cross the forest reserve to the old lighthouse, while intertidal walks during spring low tides reveal rock pools and coconut crabs. Night walks offer sightings of giant coconut crabs, and the Visitor Centre provides environmental exhibits.

Dining

Meals at Chumbe Island are full board (excluding alcoholic beverages) and prepared with locally sourced ingredients inspired by Swahili cuisine. Dining takes place in the beachfront Visitor Centre restaurant, with dishes available in a dedicated cookbook. Unlimited drinking water, ginger tea, and lemongrass tea are provided throughout the day, with no single-use plastics.

Conservation & Awards

Chumbe Island Coral Park is the first gazetted marine park in Tanzania, entirely funded through ecotourism revenue. It holds Global Ocean Refuge accreditation and the UNDP Global 500 Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award. The park enforces a strict zero-plastic policy and zero-pollution management, with all proceeds supporting marine conservation and environmental education for local schools.

Location & Access

The private island is accessed by scheduled boat transfers from Mbweni, approximately 6 km from Stone Town. Guests enjoy a private beach area with sun loungers and umbrellas, and the island is adjacent to a Coral Reef Sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby attractions include the lighthouse historical site and Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Accommodation: 7 solar-powered eco-bungalows between beach and forest
• Activities: Guided snorkeling, nature trails, lighthouse tours, night crab walks
• Dining: Full board with Swahili cuisine, locally sourced ingredients
• Conservation: First gazetted marine park in Tanzania; zero-plastic policy
• Awards: Global Ocean Refuge & UNDP Global 500 awards
• Access: Scheduled boat transfer from Mbweni, 6 km from Stone Town