Fundu Lagoon
Pemba island, Zanzibar
This stylish little beach lodge on Pemba island offers some of the best diving in Zanzibar
Swop the jet set for a jetty settee: an armchair on the central
pier of Fundu Lagoon must be one of the coolest places to watch the
world go by. This Pemba island hideaway, which opened in 2000,
combines simplicity with supreme style. Managed by Matt and Anie
(ex Aman resorts), 18 tented rooms with sun-warmed
showers and comfy beds look out onto the blue waters of the Wambaa
gulf. Sandy pathways lead past thatched sitting-areas to a long
palm-fringed beach, which bristles with weird crabs and wonderful
shells. And, at low tide, the stream of brightly-dressed local
women walking along the beach to market beats any fashion
parade.
But it’s for the
diving
and water sports that most guests come here: a seascape of deep
inlets, mangrove coasts, coral islands and fringing reefs is a
short boat-ride away. Non-divers can enjoy dhow cruises, canoeing
safaris, game-fishing, intertidal coast walks or, better still,
take a PADI course with resident Finnish dive instructors Jonni and
Riika – there’s no better place to learn.
Reviewed by Michael Cullen
Last updated 10 May 2012
Highs
- World-class diving: pristine reefs & walls
- Snorkelling, fishing, canoeing & watersports
- Comfortable tented rooms by the beach
- Being the only resort on Pemba island, you meet few tourists & lots of Zanzibaris
- Lovely 14x5 metre swimming pool
Lows
- The question of security
- Getting there takes a while (but what fun!)
- Rates are not cheap (but fairly inclusive)
- Cuisine is international (but delicious)
- Evening dance music may not be your scene
