Tanzania – Luxury adventures on Thanda Island
Thanda Island, the world’s only exclusive-use private island surrounded by a protected marine reserve, provides unbeatable diving experiences for guests hoping to get acquainted with the underwater environment. Thanda believe one of the most emotional and spectacular ocean wonders you can ever experience is being up close with a Whale Shark. These harmless, gentle giants – the largest fish in the world and categorised by the IUCN as vulnerable to extinction – are an incredible part of the Thanda Island experience, as they feed just south of the Island from October to March. Thanda are privileged to be able to share these beautiful creatures up close with their guests who can choose to either swim with them or admire them from their luxury adventure vessel, ably commandeered by their trusted captain and resident whale spotter.
Renowned for its sustainability efforts both by land and sea, the island is partnered with leading NGO, Sea Sense, on programmes built to conserve the spectacular surrounding marine environment and supports local NGO Ropes of Hope, a coral reef restoration programme that will restore coral reefs within the Mafian archipelago and Shungimibili Marine Reserve. Thanda also encourages guests to take part in the Whale Shark Citizen Science Programme, which allows the community to be involved in collecting identification data on whale sharks via images and employs a full-time Marine Biologist, Rianne Laan, who monitors the conservation projects’ progress.