Chumbe Island Coral Park offers an unrivaled haven for honeymooners seeking an extraordinary escape in Zanzibar. This award-winning private island is more than just a luxurious retreat; it’s a fully managed nature reserve and marine park where love and nature intertwine.
Upon setting foot on this enchanting island, you’re embraced by a world of all-inclusive wonder. Guided tours unveil the secrets of a protected coral reef, meandering forest trails, and enchanting mangroves. The historic lighthouse and visitors’ center paint a vivid picture of the island’s past and the conservation efforts that fuel its future.
Here you will find zero-footprint eco-bungalows, where overnight guests find solace in nature’s embrace. Powered by photovoltaic energy, fueled by rainwater harvesting, and adorned with solar water heating, these bungalows redefine sustainable luxury. Composting toilets harmonize with the island’s ethos of conservation, creating an experience that is as gentle on the environment as it is on your senses.
Culinary delights take center stage at Chumbe, where a delectable fusion of Zanzibarian, Arabic, Indian, and African flavors dances on your palate. Fresh, locally sourced seafood, meats, vegetables, and fruits create a symphony of taste that celebrates the island’s bounties.
Your visit at Chumbe supports free environmental education programs for local schools, nurturing a legacy of eco-consciousness. The accolades it wears with pride – “Best of Africa” for Sustainable Destinations and Global Ecosphere Retreat (GER) certification – testify to its unwavering dedication to conservation.
Chumbe Island Coral Park masterfully balances conservation and commerce, intertwining them with community development and cultural stewardship. Here, your honeymoon is not only an intimate celebration of love but a step towards a brighter, more sustainable future. Allow the whispers of the sea and the rustling of the leaves to serenade you into a world where romance and nature coexist in perfect harmony.
Map of Chumbe Island Coral Park
Reviews of Chumbe Island Coral Park
Travel Date: March 31, 2025
The experience of staying in an almost inhabited and pristine island was unforgettable. The accommodation is uniquely simple but still stylish and very comfortable. The service and friendliness of staff is wonderful and the food is great. The coral reef is stunning but the most important is the low ecological...
The experience of staying in an almost inhabited and pristine island was unforgettable. The accommodation is uniquely simple but still stylish and very comfortable. The service and friendliness of staff is wonderful and the food is great. The coral reef is stunning but the most important is the low ecological footprint of our stay and the conservation and educational purpose of this enterprise. Unmissable if you are travelling to Zanzibar!
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Travel Date: February 28, 2025
Seat cushions should be renewed. Lots of mosquitoes and wood mites. The mites are everywhere and they creep into your bags,clothes etc.. You will see fresh bite marks for at least a week on your body. Hardy any variation in the meals.We were here in 2002 and we felt the...
Seat cushions should be renewed. Lots of mosquitoes and wood mites. The mites are everywhere and they creep into your bags,clothes etc.. You will see fresh bite marks for at least a week on your body. Hardy any variation in the meals.We were here in 2002 and we felt the comfort of the guests have been ignored for a long time.We cannot recommend this place to anyone.Price is too high for what it offers. We know part of it supports the locals. The fan and the lights don't work throughout the hot night. We decided to leave earlier.
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Travel Date: February 28, 2025
We experienced a Robinson Crusoe feeling on a beautiful island with white sand beaches, amazing snorkelling spots at the coral reef (we even saw a (vegetable) shark!) and diverse (tiny) forest. There are lots of small hermit crabs and huge coconut crabs. The 360 view on the lighthouse is amazing....
We experienced a Robinson Crusoe feeling on a beautiful island with white sand beaches, amazing snorkelling spots at the coral reef (we even saw a (vegetable) shark!) and diverse (tiny) forest. There are lots of small hermit crabs and huge coconut crabs. The 360 view on the lighthouse is amazing. We would definitely recommend to stay one (or more) night(s) in one of the seven beautiful ecolodges on Chumbe island. This way you can experience all beautiful things the island has to offer. The staff has great knowledge about the nature, provide delicious meals and are very friendly. They want to make your stay unforgettable.
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Indescribable experience!
Travel Date: January 31, 2025
If you are looking for the ultimate nature experience in Zanzibar you definitely have to visit Chumbe Island! - Best snorkeling experience I had in Zanzibar (MUCH better than Mnemba Island) with a high chance of seeing reef sharks, turtles and rays) - Incredibly knowledgeable staff that can tell you...
If you are looking for the ultimate nature experience in Zanzibar you definitely have to visit Chumbe Island!
- Best snorkeling experience I had in Zanzibar (MUCH better than Mnemba Island) with a high chance of seeing reef sharks, turtles and rays)
- Incredibly knowledgeable staff that can tell you about the wildlife on and around the island
- Cosy, eco-conscious huts that invite you to relax and forget about the world
- AMAZING food!
- I have never seen so many hermit crabs of all shapes and sizes in my life
- Special experience to see the big coconut crabs (definitely go on the guided night walks)
- beautiful, unforgettable sunsets
- As a traveler who places very high value on sustainable tourism, this was a special treat, and I was impressed by all their thoughtful initiatives
The only thing I regret is that we did not stay two nights, we would have loved to enjoy the nature, peace and hospitality a little longer!
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Lovely place to stay for a couple of days of peace and the joys of the sea
Travel Date: November 30, 2024
Chumbe is a pretty coral island whose protected reef like all others has suffered but offered us multitudes of fish, reef shark, turtle, rays and much more. Despite offering day trips, staying overnight to get a 6AM snorkel in and experience the nightly coconut crab visit is well worth it....
Chumbe is a pretty coral island whose protected reef like all others has suffered but offered us multitudes of fish, reef shark, turtle, rays and much more. Despite offering day trips, staying overnight to get a 6AM snorkel in and experience the nightly coconut crab visit is well worth it.
Terrific caring staff, lovely food, a pretty island to relax on and only a few huts so it’s not crowded. Conservation is king, so prepare for a little rustic - pumping your own water for a shower, two scoops down the loo and WiFi only at the main building - but that is what makes it special.
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Coral Island Eco-Paradise
Travel Date: November 30, 2024
This is the most amazing place and the work they are doing to protect the reefs and forest is invaluable. The staff are fantastic and knowledgeable and went out of their way to help us make the most of our stay. The eco-cabins were brilliant and so wonderful to be...
This is the most amazing place and the work they are doing to protect the reefs and forest is invaluable. The staff are fantastic and knowledgeable and went out of their way to help us make the most of our stay.
The eco-cabins were brilliant and so wonderful to be so close to the sea and part of the rag forest; food was great.
The snorkelling was wonderful, lots of fish and corals, octopus and reef sharks and enough time to see them. The forest walk was really interesting and opened our eyes to the need to preserve not only the forest but also the knowledge and understanding of plant uses. The highlight of the trip was to see the coconut crabs at night and also the small ones in the daytime.
What an amazing place - keep up the good work all of you!
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Favorite place in Zanzibar
Travel Date: February 29, 2024
Our stay at Chumbe Island was amazing! This place is magical, exclusive. It’s the luxury of simplicity, of being in deep contact with nature. There are stunning views no matter where you look. The staff is so nice, helpful and sweet (many thanks to Vera, the charming manager who took...
Our stay at Chumbe Island was amazing! This place is magical, exclusive. It’s the luxury of simplicity, of being in deep contact with nature. There are stunning views no matter where you look. The staff is so nice, helpful and sweet (many thanks to Vera, the charming manager who took really good care of us). They always have big smiles on their faces :) The food is delicious and very healthy. It’s amazing to diner under the starts. There is unlimited water, tea and coffee all day. The bungalows are charming, simple but comfortable. Beach beds on the shade to relax. The snorkeling is great, excellent visibility and rich marine life (we saw sting rays, octopus, sharks, dolphins and a multitude of colorful fish and corals).
We spent three nights, which was a perfect timing (we could have stayed a week longer without getting bored).
Everything is ecological, sustainable. Solar electricity, water collected from rain, and dry compostable toilets.
The hotel is a non-profitable organization which helps to protect the island and invests in education. So even more reasons to go!
We can’t wait to go back!
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Very weather-exposed experience - not for the faint of heart!
Travel Date: January 31, 2024
This might feel like paradise in perfect weather, but we unfortunately had very windy days for our two-night stay on the island. Snorkelling was only possible for an hour, and given the tide schedule there was no swimming off the beach during most of the day. Yes, there is a...
This might feel like paradise in perfect weather, but we unfortunately had very windy days for our two-night stay on the island. Snorkelling was only possible for an hour, and given the tide schedule there was no swimming off the beach during most of the day. Yes, there is a forest walk one can take and maybe stretch to 45 minutes.
So it depends on your attitude: while we didn’t mind sitting and reading and disconnecting for the rest of the time, it felt like a very overpriced quiet time.
The cabins are “back to nature”: no doors or windows (meaning you share your cabins with all the critters), no plumbing (compost toilet and rainwater shower), and of course no air conditioning ( 24/7 hot and humid). On the positive side you can pack super-light: bathing suit, flip flops and the lightest shirt will do for those two days (it all will be damp anyway).
A few people who booked multiple nights left after the first night - it can be challenging to sleep in the heat with all those bugs (despite mosquito net).
The food was good, the staff was caring (other than loud music during the night from the staff lodge), and of course you money helps the conservation effort for the reefs!
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