Island Secrets

Zanzibar

White dream beaches of pearly sand bathed by a crystalline sea, palm trees swayed by a light wind and a coral reef waiting to be explored by diving among the colorful fish.
A pearl immersed in the Indian Ocean, whose landscapes are the most surprising aspect together with the colors of nature. The beaches of Zanzibar are white and pure and thanks to the clear seabed the ocean transforms into a clear, turquoise pool.
The capital is Stone Town, an ancient trading center with Swahili and Islamic influences, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among its winding streets stand minarets, sculpted portals and 19th-century buildings, such as the House of Wonders, a former sultan's palace. The northern villages of Nungwi and Kendwa are characterized by wide beaches dotted with hotels, small guesthouses and bed and breakfasts. Kiwengwa beach, on the other hand, is located on the eastern coast of the island of Zanzibar (considered the most beautiful of all) and is the largest beach on the entire island.

Pemba

Also known as Al Kuh Dra, this Tanzanian island, located about 50 km north-east of Zanzibar and about 50 kilometers from the coast, just under 70 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, steeped in Swahili culture, is surrounded by beaches of very fine white sand. Its hinterland is dominated by plantations of cloves (of which the island, for centuries, was the largest producer in the world) and coconuts. The cultivation and trade of these products, together with the young tourist industry, are the cornerstone of the local economy. By visiting Pemba you can explore a glimpse of Tanzania still uncontaminated by mass tourism.

Mafia Island

Also known as Chole Samba, this island rises from the crystal clear sea just 25 km off the coast of the African continent. Together with Zanzibar and Pemba it belongs to a group of islands sometimes referred to as the "Spice Islands". The island has around 40,000 inhabitants, mainly fishermen. The coasts and seabed surrounding the island are a true paradise that attracts an ever-increasing number of tourists, especially divers and snorkelers. The name "Mafia" comes from the Arabic morphiyeh ("group" or "archipelago") or from the Swahili mahali pa afya ("healthy place").