Chumbe Island Coral Park

The experience was truly magical and beautiful. The architecture of the island is splendid and blends well with nature. The small beach is lovely; you can breathe a relaxing atmosphere. The reefs were a bit disappointing, but we saw starfish, rays and other interesting fish. The “forest walk” was very fascinating. In any case, there are some things to improve. The organisation of the activities was a little lacking, with a boat trip that lasted only an hour and the “forest walk” too short. The staff was polite and kind almost always, but not everyone was equally welcoming. The accommodation was not the best, with a hard mattress as a rock and a tremendously humid room. The bathroom was a...special experience, but it's part of that bathroom. In general, I recommend the island to those who are really looking for an experience, but you have to know how to take into account some defects. With some better arrangements in terms of organisation and accommodation, this island could really be an exception.

We spent two nights on Chumbe Island with our family in August. The island is fascinating: a small coral paradise with a dense tropical forest, historical buildings such as the old lighthouse built by the British during colonial times, and beautiful wooden architecture. The most remarkable aspect is the strong focus on sustainability: solar panels, rainwater collection for daily use, compost toilets, and minimal water and energy consumption. The food is good and the guides are knowledgeable, though the one who followed us (Chakka) was rather unempathetic. The coral reef, compared to the Red Sea, the Maldives, or Indonesia, is not at the same level, although we did spot small reef sharks, starfish, and some colorful fish. What weighs most on the overall impression is the value for money: for two nights, four of us spent around 2,300 USD, with very uncomfortable beds and a service that does not match the price. Useful tips for travelers: • On arrival, two boats awaited us: a traditional wooden dhow and a more modern speedboat. Try to get on the modern one – otherwise, both you and your luggage will end up soaked. • Travel light. Boarding and disembarking are done on muddy ground, so clothes and bags can easily get wet and dirty. • The daily schedule is very tight: 11:30 snorkeling, 1 pm lunch, in the afternoon a walk to the lighthouse and through the forest, and after dinner a night tour to see the coconut crabs. For the high price, the activities – especially snorkeling – should be more varied and extensive. • Inside the bungalows, the atmosphere is extremely humid, and the compost toilets give off a rather unpleasant smell. • Upstairs rooms are open to the outside: birds sometimes come inside, and at night, with no doors or windows, the loud sounds of the sea and the wildlife can disturb light sleepers. • The drinking water often had an odd taste, likely due to poorly rinsed glasses. • Overall, there is little attention to detail and to guest comfort. Conclusion: Chumbe Island is interesting for those who appreciate eco-friendly projects and want a unique nature experience, but the level of comfort, service, and activities offered do not, in our opinion, justify the extremely high price.

Wonderful day trip chombe experience Chumbe island day trip has been the highlight of our stay in zanzibar. The coral park snorkeling was perfactacular and the forest walk with our guiding was super informative. The food was hand down one of the best we have in zanzibar

We stayed in Bungalow 6 with our two kids. This is a beach resort experience like no other. If you truly want to stop and connect with nature Chume Island is can’t miss. There are a few activities but mostly we swam, read books and played family board games. The food is the best we’ve had in Tanzania with fresh fish and lots of options for sides and fresh veggies that are safe to eat. The bungalows are rustic (open air, composting toilets) but it feels like Robinson Crusoe. The staff are very friendly and attentive but leave you alone to get lost in the views. We visited in 2014 before kids and were excited to bring our girls who found it just as magical. Thank you Chumbe for another amazing trip!

A wonderful, fairytale place. We stayed 6 nights and I can say that they were not enough. A truly wonderful experience in the middle of nature. An ecological resort may not be to everyone's liking, but I highly recommend it to those who want to experience peace and quiet in the middle of nature.

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!