Chumbe Island (Snorkeling & Forest walk)
Located just 8 km west of Unguja in Zanzibar, Chumbe Island is a small but extraordinary eco-destination. With just a mask, snorkel, and fins, you can explore its protected coral reefs, home to a dazzling variety of marine life. To protect these coral reefs, diving is not permitted in the marine park, ensuring the underwater world remains pristine for generations to come. On land, the coral-rag forest shelters rare species like the endangered Ader’s Duiker, giant coconut crabs, hermit crabs, and an array of fascinating birds.
Knowledgeable guides lead daily snorkeling and forest tours, making each visit both enriching and adventurous. Whether you come for a day trip or stay overnight in one of the island’s unique eco-bungalows overlooking the Indian Ocean, Chumbe offers an unforgettable experience of nature, both above and below the water.
Facts About Chumbe Island.
- Chumbe Island Coral Park was the first privately-managed marine protected area in the world, established back in 1994 to safeguard its pristine coral reef and lush forest reserve.
- Diving is strictly off-limits, ensuring this underwater haven remains undisturbed.
- Chumbe’s reef shelters over 90% of East Africa’s hard coral species and more than 400 species of fish, including turtles and reef sharks.
- All profits support conservation, research, and environmental education—for locals and visitors alike—earning Chumbe awards like UNEP Global 500, Blue Park, and Best of Africa.
