Fundu Lagoon Overview

Remote and peaceful, Fundu Lagoon has a distinct Robinson Crusoe air with charming rustic buildings nestled on the shore of the Indian Ocean, shaded by thatched roofs made from sundried coconut palms. While crowds flock to Zanzibar, few have heard of the Pemba island, her little sister to the north, which remains largely undeveloped. Only accessible by boat, the resort extends along a natural beach, where the lush jungle meets the sea.

Whether relaxing by the infinity pool, wandering along the shore and watching local women collect seaweed for the beauty industry, kayaking through the mangroves or admiring the pristine coral gardens around nearby Misali island, days here can be as relaxed or fun-filled as you make them. 

A consistent winner of the Good Safari Guide ‘Best Marine Safari’ Award, Fundu Lagoon smoothly continues the safari experience for those arriving from the bush, as well as being a standalone destination for couples seeking a romantic bolthole or familes and friends seeking a place to unwind and switch off.

The Accommodation On Fundu Lagoon

Fundu Lagoon’s eighteen rooms consist of canvas tents set under ‘makuti’ thatch roofs on wooden decks, all with views of the Indian Ocean. Beds are kings or twins. All categories have an en-suite bathroom with hot shower, ceiling fans, mosquito nets, an in-room fridge and a secure box. The rooms are connected to the main buildings by wooden walkways and sandy paths through the indigenous forest.

Hillside
Standard bungalows that enjoy privacy, panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and a cooling breeze. Decks accommodate a sofa and sunloungers.

Beachfront
Inside, the layout is identical to the Hillside bungalows. Outside, there is direct access to the beach with a couple of sun loungers, as well as a small private deck.

Dining

There’s something rather special about gazing out over the Indian Ocean while savouring freshly picked fruit and vegetables from the nearby villages or fish from the surrounding waters. The hotel aims to source as much as possible locally. Throw in a refreshing sea breeze to the mix and it’s akin to being shipwrecked on a tropical island - in a totally civilised manner.

The cuisine is a fusion of Swahili and international, with a choice of dishes. Meals are served in the main restaurant and the pool bar on a daily basis, with light bites or a three-course lunch and dinner. Each week a beach BBQ is held, with a bonfire under the stars and food cooked to order, as well as a Swahili-themed dinner on the jetty with a buffet and convivial atmosphere.

The three bars serve a range of fresh juices, wines, beers and cocktails. For sundowners, head to the jetty bar, where staff will also be on hand to arrange activities for the coming days according to the weather forecast.

Activities

Village Treks

Within walking distance of the resort are three traditional local villages. Let the staff show you the unique clay houses, banana and cassava plantations as well as the local fruit and vegetables farmed by the families. Guests are respectfully requested to dress modestly when walking outside of the resort. Please ask permission before taking photos and refrain from handing out gifts to individuals - donations should be given to the village through Fundu’s reception.

Tours on Pemba Island 

Custom-made tours to see the city, discover the spice plantations and nature of Pemba or visit Ngezi forest and Kidike with its flying foxes.

Jambangome Ruines and River Safari

Cruise up a meandering creek at high tide and walk through local farmland to find the ruins of one of the first settlements on Pemba island, now covered in jungle.

Candelit Beach Dinner

A romantic evening on the beach with a table for two, personal chef and waiting staff. Those with suites can dine on their deck or the beach in front.

Sunset Dhow Cruise

Relax with a glass of wine or cold beer and refreshments aboard a traditional dhow as you sail into the sunset with up to 16 guests. Private cruises offer a romantic touch, with a bottle of champagne and fresh canapes.

Dolphin Safaris

Pop out to see the resident pod of dolphins early in the morning, returning for breakfast.

Snorkelling

Limited snorkelling is available by the resort and jetty, with complimentary equipment from the dive centre. The snorkelling tour to Misali island is a major highlight of any visit to Fundu Lagoon, with crystal-clear waters and impressive biodiversity.

Kayaking

Explore the local mangrove forests during the cooler moments of the day.

Misali Island

A few miles west of Fundu Lagoon sits the small island of Misali. The forest-covered land is just half a square kilometre yet it is surrounded by a 9 kilometre ring of pristine coral reefs. Whilst green and hawksbill turtles nest on the pure white beaches and coconut crabs live in the coral rock and thick undergrowth, vervet monkeys and flying foxes inhabit the trees. With 42 types of coral and 300 fish species, Misali’s rich ecosystem will be appreciated by snorkellers and divers alike. As well as being an underwater paradise, the island and its waters hold great significance for the local community, as both a holy site and as a source of livelihood through its fishing. Thanks to a conservation initiative, the reef is now a marine sanctuary with endeavours to make it into a no-go zone for local fisherman. The daily marine
park fee charged to visitors helps to offset fishing restrictions with tourism revenue - 40% is divided among local villages with the rest funding conservation management. For those with a sense of adventure, the island is also reputed to hold buried treasure, as a one-time hideout of Captain Kidd.

Diving

The in-house dive centre, a PADI 5* Dive Resort, is managed by a friendly and experienced team. This also acts as the base for all watersports. The centre offers beginner’s courses, advanced instruction and guided day or night dives with all the equipment you will need in resort. Pemba’s tranquil surroundings are home to an abundance of marine life and breathtaking fields of coral. 25 unique snorkelling and dive sites remain untouched thanks to the Misali Island Marine Conservation Area and the waters around Misali contain twice the number of coral than found elsewhere in Tanzania. The diving is predominantly drift and wall diving with regular sightings of schooling barracuda, giant trevallies, napoleon wrasse, huge groupers, turtles, blue-spotted, blotched fantail eagle and manta rays as well as thousands of reef fish. The underwater terrain holds stunning gorgonian sea fans, giant sponges, ancient cabbage corals and the odd shipwreck. Average visibility ranges from 20 to 40 metres, peaking from October to March, when the sea conditions are calmest. The water temperature is a warm 27 to 28°C and the dive centre is stocked with the appropriate 3mm full-length wetsuits as well as ScubaPro and Aqualung equipment.

Game Fishing

World-class game fishing lies right on the resort's doorstep and trips are skippered under the watchful eye of Rusty or Eric, both International Game Fishing
Association certified captains. Lots of acrobatic striped marlin hunt in the channel area from November to April and big shoals of yellowfin tuna arrive in August with predators following. Large dogtooth tuna patrol the deep drop-offs, along with broadbill swordfish throughout the season. The resort has two boats. Vumba takes up to 2 guests and is available year-round for day trips of up to 10 hours. Combava takes up to 6 guests and can be brought up from Dar Es Salaam for a minimum of 4 days’ hire - she is more luxurious and well suited to the longer marlin days to the north of Pemba. Whilst you enjoy the peace of being out on the turquoise seas and taking in the island scenery, you may meet the resident dolphins as well as the local  in their small ‘Ngarawa’ fishing canoes.

Spa

The small spa has two talented therapists from Bali, dedicated to revitalising mind, body and spirit thus leaving you perfectly refreshed to relax and enjoy your time. Treatments are based on authentic Balinese healing rituals, as well as a variety of other Asian and western techniques. The massages include full body aromatherapy, traditional Balinese, hot stone,Shiatsu, Thai and Lomi-Lomi, Indian head and shoulder as well as foot. Facial treatments use natural organic ingredients to cleanse and moisturise. Combined with a soothing massage, these will leave you in a state of deep relaxation, leaving your skin fresh, clean and revitalised. Exfoliating body scrubs are exclusively prepared from the natural goodness of fresh fruits, herbs, spices, sea crystals and essential oils. Last but not least, manicures, pedicures and waxing will keep your beauty rituals maintained or just add a bit of sparkle.