Zanzibar Chumbe Island Coral Park Day Trip

1 Day trip to Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP) offers an exclusive, eco-focused experience on a private nature reserve off the coast of Zanzibar. Because the island is a Marine Protected Area (MPA), the number of visitors is strictly limited to 14 people per day.

Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP) is an award-winning, privately managed nature reserve located roughly 8 kilometers west of Unguja, Zanzibar. Established in 1992 as the world’s first privately managed marine park, it is a non-profit social enterprise in which all ecotourism revenue is reinvested in the conservation of its pristine Coral Reef Sanctuary and Forest Reserve.

Activities include snorkeling, guided forest & Intertidal walks, and a historic lighthouse with a 131-step climb offering panoramic views of the Zanzibar Channel.

A Chumbe Island Coral Park day trip from Zanzibar typically lasts about 7 to 8 hours, usually running from 0900 Hours to around 1600 Hours or 1700 Hours. The experience includes a 30-45 minute boat ride each way from Mbweni Ruins, snorkeling, a guided forest walk, lunch, and time to relax. 

1 Day Trip to Chumbe Island Coral Park Itinerary

0930 Hours: Registration at the Jungle Paradise Resort & Spa (formerly Protea Mbweni Ruins Hotel)
1000 Hours: Boat departure (approximately 45-minute ride)
1100 Hours: Guided snorkeling in the Coral Reef Sanctuary, which hosts over 200 coral and 400 fish species
1300 Hours: Freshly cooked Swahili buffet lunch including seafood and local specialties
1500 Hours: Guided forest walk to see fossilized coral, giant baobabs, and the 19th-century British Naval Lighthouse
1630 Hours: Return boat departure to the mainland

1 Day Trip to Chumbe Island Coral Park Inclusions

✓ Return boat transfers
✓A guided forest walk, lighthouse access, and all lunch/soft drinks
✓ Guided snorkeling (including professional equipment and tuition)

Not Included: Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase) and hotel transfers to the Mbweni departure point (unless arranged separately).

What to Bring: Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a beach towel, and a sun hat.

Essential Information for Visitors

Clothes: Swimwear and a light jacket for the boat ride (spray can occur)
Sun Protection: Reef-friendly sunscreen or a long-sleeved rash guard/UV shirt
Annual Closure: The island is closed for maintenance from April 1st to June 3rd
Equipment: Snorkeling gear (fins, mask, tube), wetsuits, and life vests are provided for all guests
Best Time to Visit: The dry season from June to October typically offers the best visibility and calmest seas
Day trips are available but are only confirmed a few days in advance (typically 2–4 days) if space is available, with priority given to overnight guests
Overnight guests have the exclusive opportunity to see the Giant Coconut Crabs during night walks, which are typically not available to day-trippers
Eco-Rules: Visitors must follow the “Green Fins” code of conduct. Touching coral, wearing non-reef-safe sunscreen, or engaging in any water sports like kitesurfing are strictly prohibited

What to Pack

Footwear: Sandals with heel straps or reef shoes (essential for walking through intertidal areas at low tide)

Our Chumbe Island Coral Park day trip is a tour of the private nature reserve, located about six miles by boat off the coast of Zanzibar. The Island can be reached in 45 minutes boat ride from Mbweni Beach.

The reserve includes a fully protected Coral Reef Sanctuary and Forest Reserve that harbor rare wildlife, a Visitor and Education centre, a small eco-lodge, nature walks, and historical monuments. Enjoy a guided snorkeling tour through the unique shallow water Coral Reef Sanctuary, where the view opens up a world of breathtaking sights.

The snorkeling tour lasts for about one hour. The sanctuary is home to 200 species of hard corals that act like trees in a forest: they provide homes, shelter, and food for an impressive 440 identified fish species. Some of these include Batfish, Lobsters, Bluespotted stingrays, Oscar, parrotfish, and Hawksbill turtles.

You will also have an opportunity for a one-hour guided forest walk, where you will learn more about the island’s geology, plant adaptations that survive without groundwater, medicinal uses of local trees and shrubs, and hidden fauna that is difficult to spot.

The number of guests visiting Chumbe Island Coral Park is limited to 14 at any one time and is controlled by the Island management, as the Island is a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

As the facilities are primarily for eco-lodge guests, the tour can only confirm day-trip bookings when there is availability at the lodge. This means we can only book day trips 4 days before your visit. If you would like to book a day trip, it is best to contact us 2 days before your visit to check availability.

0900 Hours: Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Mbweni Beach on the west coast of Zanzibar town, then to the pristine Chumbe Island. The boat ride takes 45 minutes. Upon arrival, you will get refreshments and a brief orientation before the commencement of the activities

1100 Hours: Gear up for snorkel along the east coast of the island, home to one of the world’s most beautiful coral gardens. The shallow reef offers an assortment of eye candy, with over 200 coral species and 400 fish species.

1230 Hours: Next, you take a break to shower and freshen up in your eco-friendly day bungalow before heading to lunch.

1300 Hours: Enjoy a buffet lunch with an assortment of dishes. Each couple is getting their own secluded table overlooking the turquoise ocean.

1500 Hours: After lunch and a swim in the ocean, you proceed to the Forest Walk. A knowledgeable ranger guides you through the intertidal pools and forest reserve that houses many unique plant species. The walk concludes with a climb up to the top of the old lighthouse for an incredible panoramic view of the island.

1615 Hours: You head back to the boat and bid farewell to a true gem – definitely one of the most beautiful natural locations to visit. For any outdoor enthusiast, it would be a shame not to put this day trip at the top of your to-do list. There are limited spaces, though, so be sure to book in advance.

Zanzibar Chumbe Island Coral Park Day Trip Rates Include:

✓ Tuition in snorkeling, if required 
✓ Lunch, freshly cooked on the island
✓ Sodas, water, and snacks + Boat, guide, and equipment for snorkeling
✓ Access to climbing to the top of a historic lighthouse + Tour of an eco-bungalow
✓ Snorkeling over one of East Africa’s most diverse coral reef Guided walk through the forest trails and inter-tidal area (if low tide)
✓ Boat transport to and from the island from the partner hotel Jungle Paradise (former Mbweni Ruins Hotel) (meet @ 9:30 am sharp for registration)
✓ Return boat leaves Chumbe Island at 4:30 pm, arriving at Jungle Paradise Hotel at approximately 5:00 pm, dependent on sea conditions & all taxes (15% VAT inclusive)

Notes:

* Children under 2 years are free of charge
* Children under 12 years pay half the price
* 01st April – 03rd June: The Island is closed
*  Credit card (Visa and MasterCard, plus a 5% transaction fee)
* You can also book overnight trips to Chumbe Island. Kindly inquire with us!
* Return boat leaves Chumbe Island at 4:30 pm, arriving at Chukwani at approximately 5:00 pm, dependent on sea conditions
* If you would like to book a day trip, it is best to contact us two days before the day you would like to visit Chumbe Island, Coral Park

Chumbe Island Day Trip Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of 1 person required
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on the island
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com