Thanda Island

Is Thanda Island for rent, and what does it cost?

Thanda Island is a 12 acres resort / operating business private island in Mafia Archipelago, Tanzania, Tanzania. It is offered for whole-island rental: US$285,250 / week (whole island) · sleeps 18. This is an editorial profile drawn from public record, clearly attributed, not our listing.

Summary

Thanda is a five-hectare private island inside a Tanzanian marine reserve in the Mafia Archipelago, offered only as a whole-island buyout with a five-night minimum. Publicly reported rates run from about US$33,000 to US$40,750 a night, and the operation doubles as a marine-conservation project.

One villa, two beach bandas and a catamaran sleep up to eighteen, served by a comparable number of staff.

Land & Waterfront

A small, self-contained island ringed by its own protected reef, with private beaches and a one-mile marine reserve. Whale sharks pass between October and March; sea-turtle nesting is actively protected.

Access & Utilities

Reached only by helicopter or boat — direct from Dar es Salaam in around 45 minutes by helicopter, or via Mafia Island by light aircraft and boat. The villa's five en-suite suites are supported by up to eighteen staff including a private chef, dive instructor and a dedicated marine biologist.

Ownership & Use

This is a rental island rather than an ownership opportunity — a whole-island retreat for a family or group who want the place to themselves, with conservation woven through the experience rather than bolted on.

Provenance

Discovered from the air in 2006 by Swedish entrepreneurs Dan and Christin Olofsson, who spent a decade negotiating with the Tanzanian government before opening the five-hectare island as an exclusive-use villa rental in August 2016. Still owned by the Olofssons' Thanda Group, with day-to-day operation handed to Jumeirah under a partnership announced in December 2024.

Specification

Status	Available
Offering	For rent
Region	Indian Ocean · Mafia Archipelago, Tanzania
Country	Tanzania
Size	12 acres · 5 ha
Development	Resort / operating business
Holding-cost band	Operating business — staffed payroll
Access	helipad, boat
Nearest airport	Helicopter direct from Dar es Salaam (~45 min), or fixed-wing to Mafia Island then boat
Power	Island systems (not publicly itemised)
Water	Island systems (not publicly itemised)
Communications	satellite
Structures	Five-suite main villa, Two open-air beach bandas, Infinity pool, Tennis court, Gym and yoga sala
Marina / mooring	Boathouse; 45-ft catamaran Umoja
Publicly marketed	since 2016

Price record

Documented public figures over time — asking prices, reported sales and reductions, each attributed. This record is maintained editorially and may lag the market.

The full traced record — ownership lineage and every dated event back to the earliest public mention — is in The Ledger, for members.

Legal & Ownership Notes

Offered only as a whole-island buyout with a five-night minimum. The surrounding one-mile marine reserve shapes activity on and around the island.

Satellite reference: open map view.

Common questions

How much does Thanda Island cost?

Thanda Island is profiled at: US$285,250 / week (whole island) · sleeps 18. Figures reflect public record at time of writing and may change; the profile keeps a dated price record.

How do you get to Thanda Island?

Access is by helipad, boat. Nearest airport: Helicopter direct from Dar es Salaam (~45 min), or fixed-wing to Mafia Island then boat.

How big is Thanda Island?

Thanda Island is approximately 12 acres (5 hectares).