Safari Blue

Highlights

• Full day on a traditional dhow
• Snorkelling and lagoon swimming
• Sandbank stop and coral gardens
• Seafood and tropical fruit lunch

From our days out

How the day runs

Times are a guide. Tides, sea conditions and how far your hotel is from the departure point all move them, and we confirm your pick-up the day before.

1. 07:00

   Pick-up from your hotel

   • We collect you and drive south to Fumba, the fishing village the dhows leave from.
   • Pick-up is earlier from Nungwi, Kendwa and the east coast, since the drive is longer.
   • Have breakfast before you leave. It is a long day and lunch is not until the afternoon.

2. 09:00

   Board the dhow at Fumba

   • Meet the captain and crew, safety briefing, then out into Menai Bay under sail when the wind allows.

3. 10:00

   Snorkelling on the reef

   • Mask, snorkel and fins are on board, and the crew help anyone who has not snorkelled before.
   • If you would rather stay dry you can swim off the boat instead, or stay aboard.

4. 12:00

   The sandbank

   • A stretch of white sand in shallow water, for swimming, walking and photographs.
   • How much sand is above water depends entirely on the tide that day.

5. 13:00

   Seafood lunch on the beach

   • Grilled fish, prawns and octopus depending on the catch, with rice, salads and tropical fruit.
   • Tell us in advance about allergies or a vegetarian diet and the kitchen prepares for it.

6. 14:30

   The mangrove lagoon

   • A sheltered natural lagoon in the mangroves near Kwale, calm water and a very different feel from the open sea.

7. 15:30

   Sail back and drive home

   • Back to Fumba in the late afternoon, then your transfer to the hotel.
   • Keep the evening free. With the drive, this day runs to around ten hours door to door.

What to bring

• Swimwear and a towel
• High-SPF sunscreen. There is very little shade on the dhow
• Hat and sunglasses
• A dry bag or waterproof case for your phone
• A light layer for the sail back
• Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to it, taken before you board

Questions we get asked

How long is the day, really?

The boat itself is about eight hours. Add the drive to Fumba and back and it is closer to ten from most hotels, longer from Nungwi and Kendwa. We do not book anything else for you that evening.

Will we see dolphins?

Sometimes, and we will look. They are wild animals in open water, so nobody can promise them and we will not pretend otherwise.

Is it suitable if I cannot swim?

Yes. Life jackets are on board, the sandbank water is shallow, and plenty of guests stay on the dhow while others snorkel. Tell the crew and they will keep an eye on you.

Can we do it as a private trip?

Yes. A private dhow means your own departure time, your own pace and a quieter day, and it works well for families and couples. It costs more per person than joining a group boat.

What happens if the weather turns?

The captain decides on the morning, based on the sea rather than the sky over your hotel. If it is not safe we move you to another day or another tour, and you are not charged for a day that did not run.

Will the sandbank look like the photos?

It changes with the tide, every day. Some days it is a wide beach, some days a narrow strip. That is the nature of a sandbank rather than a bad day out.