International guests fly to Dar es Salaam. From Dar es Salaam airport guests can fly with Thanda Island’s private helicopter (approximately 35 mins flying time) directly to Thanda Island. Alternatively, guests can fly with a fixed-wing plane to Mafia Island (30 mins flying time) and then transfer by Thanda Island private vessel to Thanda Island (60 mins boat transfer).

Thanda Island offers beautiful, warm, tropical weather. Rain showers are mostly short, followed by sunshine, bringing a wonderful renewal and freshness to the environment.

Here is a short weather guide for you:

• June to October: Beautiful weather; it’s hot and humid with short rain showers and plenty of sunshine. The perfect season to spend at a luxury, private resort.
• July to mid-September: This is the time of the south-easterly Kusi trade winds.
• November: The weather is mostly good with short rain showers (known as ‘vuli’).
• December to March: Beautiful weather with short rain showers and the north-easterly Kaskazi trade winds.
• April to May: An increase in rainfall with many sunny days between the rains.

Temperature
Temperatures are wonderfully warm, rather than exessively hot, even though Thanda Island is in the tropics. The temperature ranges from 27 to 31°C. The water temperature ranges from 27 to 29°C.

Rainfall
Thanda Island has a tropical climate with approximately 1,800mm of rain each year, divided into two specific rain seasons: the “long” rains in late April to May and the “short” rains in November.

Tradewinds
Thanda Island lies across the trade winds and experiences the northeast (Kaskazi) and southeast (Kusi) trade wind seasons. The Kaskazi usually starts at the end of November and lasts into February. The Kusi is from early July through to mid-September.

All year round except April and May due to long rains. More travel advice

Yes. Here is travel advice on the Mafia Island and Madagascar

GMT +3

Swahili

Yes we do. Each holiday on Thanda Island is fully bespoke, and we create itineraries and experiences based on the guest’s preferences.

Yes

We have our own desalination plant which allows for our water to be safe to drink. However, out of precaution, we always advise our guests to drink the bottled water that we provide on the island.

No, the island is in a low-risk area for malaria. The island is also fumigated.

Yes

No

Yes. Guests are encouraged to fill in the preference form prior to arrival so that our Chef and his team can prepare a menu ahead of guests’ arrival.

4G

UK 220V

Yes, babysitting services can be arranged upon request.

Not on the island. The island has an extensive medical kit with EpiPens, AED, painkillers, general antibiotics, and our entire team has been trained in first aid. The island has an on call emergency doctor and medivac in place.

Yes, a fully equipped gym is available on the island. Apart from the gym, the island also has a boathouse with water sports equipment that is available to guests. Water sports instructors are also available on the island to provide assistance and training when required.

Cash, Visa, Mastercard as well as American Express are all accepted.