Full day boat trip

The trip starts at the village of Fumba, which is around 20 minutes from Stone Town. Here, you will board a traditional, hand-built dhow that will sail you across the crystal clear waters of Menai Bay, where you have an excellent chance of seeing some dolphins. The bay was designated a protected area in 1998 on account of its natural beauty, unspoiled sandbanks and uninhabited islands.

The first stop on the trip is at a sandbank where you can go sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling in the turquoise water. You will also be served fresh fruit and cold drinks here.

The boat then continues on to another beach where you will likewise have the chance to go swimming and to experience the submarine world with its beautiful corals and colourful fish before lunch is served.

Lunch takes the form of a delicious fish and seafood barbecue, served with chips, rice and bread. For desert, you can sample a variety of tropical fruits and try Amarula, the local African liquor.

After lunch, it is time to take a short walk into the tropical forest on the island, where you can see a 500-year-old baobab tree that was uprooted during a storm more than 70 years ago. What is really unusual about this tree is that its branches continued to grow, and now take the form of separate trees above the uprooted trunk. You can even climb up in the tree to admire the view.

Returning to the boat, you will sail out to the island of Kwale, famous for its natural lagoon surrounded by mangrove forest. Here, too, you will have the chance to go swimming again or to enjoy a short trip in a ‘ngalawa’, a traditional canoe built of a hollowed-out mango tree trunk.

As the sun starts to sink below the horizon, the time has come to return to Fumba. Heading back to dry land, you will have the opportunity to take some wonderful photos of the African sunset.

Meals, soft drinks and beer are included in the price

Duration: Full-day excursion

Payment is made at the start of the tour.