Chumbe Island

About this place

Chumbe is a small private island in the Zanzibar Channel, covered in low forest growing over coral rock, ringed by reefs in clear turquoise water, with white sand on its western shore and an old lighthouse. The island has two historic buildings, a small Swahili mosque and the lighthouse, both built around the start of the 20th century. The reef west of the island was closed to fishing, boating and diving in 1992, and in 1994 the island and its waters were declared the Chumbe Island Coral Park, Tanzania's first marine park. A non-profit runs it, carrying out marine research and small-scale eco-tourism. Its reef stayed healthy because the area was once a military zone, which kept people away. You snorkel over the reef with a guide among coral and fish, walk the forest trail among the rocks and see the old lighthouse and small mosque. The island is about 13 km in a straight line southwest of Stone Town, reached by boat. Visits are arranged in advance with the park, and do not touch the coral.