&Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge

&Beyond Mnemba Island lies off Zanzibar’s north-eastern coast, a tiny private island wrapped in white coral sand, casuarina forest and clear Indian Ocean blue. With only 12 palm-frond Bandas and the island reserved for you and the team, the exclusivity of the experience feels wonderfully castaway: few other faces, no specific schedule, just bare feet, sea air and the freedom to experience the day at your leisure.

The island is intimate, but never empty of things to feel, taste and do. Wake with natural light filtering through your open Banda, step straight onto the sand, then snorkel from the beach, dive nearby reefs, paddle by kayak or sail into the evening on a traditional dhow. Daily yoga, wellness treatments and private picnics add a gentler pace to your stay, while beach dining, forest dinners and cocktails at the Beach Bar keep the island convivial when you want it to be. Mnemba also provides purpose to your stay, with green turtle monitoring, coral restoration, a Discovery Centre and conservation experiences that bring you closer to the life of the reef. 

The Bandas are open, breezy and closely tied to the beach. Eleven are made for two guests, while the Family Banda and WILDchild programme help younger island adventurers feel included without losing the island’s sense of calm. Each Banda has a private veranda, personal bar and coffee station, plus a separate beach lounge just beyond, with a daybed, sun loungers, outdoor shower and uninterrupted ocean views. Locally sourced brass, marble, ceramics and Omani antiques add character, but the real luxury is simpler: waking to the sea breeze, forgetting your shoes and living by the tide for a while.