This idyllic exclusive island is 2km off the shore of main land Tanzania opposite the historical
town of Bagamoyo, north of Dar es Salaam.
Located on a sand spit protected by a coral reef, the only access is by boat , thus ensuring
exclusivity and privacy for visitors to Lazy Lagoon. The coral reef surrounding the island
offers a great opportunity for snorkelling off the beach.
Being an island, Lazy Lagoon is quite unique with sea swimming possible at all tides.
The island has an interesting ecosystem, with many small mammals such as bush babies,
(Galagoes) suni antelope and bush pig, plus birds and butterflies. Low tide washes up a
plethora of exotically coloured star fish, sea urchins and crabs. All of these share their
habitats with natural mangrove forest. Guests are free to wander along the 9km island –
although no one has yet reached the end!
Historically important areas of interest:
Ras Kaole: The 12 Century Kaole ruins remaining from the Arab Shirazi era with the oldest
mosque on the mainland lies only 2kms across the ocean from Lazy Lagoon. The settlement
went into decline two hundred years later following the disruption of Arab trading routes by
the Portuguese.
Bagamoyo Slave town: Following the decline of the nearby Kaole settlement Bagamoyo
grew out of the slave and ivory trade. Its was also referred to as the “gateway to the dark
continent“ by explorers including Livingstone, Burton, Speke, Stanley, Grant and others who
used Bagamoyo to launch their expeditions to find the source of the Nile. Livingstone’s
sundried body was later carried by his two faithful servants 1600km back to Bagamoyo. Later
Bagamoyo became the Capital of German East Africa.
Accommodation and Facilities
Accommodation is in 12 large airy natural mkuti beach bandas only yards from the Indian
Ocean. From the sundowner lounge above the bar, visitors can watch the sunrise over
Zanzibar and set over the palm trees of Bagamoyo and feel the Swahili atmosphere as they
follow the flotilla of hundreds of local fishing boats tack around the island to get from their
villages on the mainland to their fishing grounds.
Individual beach cottages with en suite bathroom – shower, basin, toilet.
Towels and beach towels provided.
All rooms have full beach frontage, with verandah, hammock and deck chairs.
The Lounge, bar, dining area is at tip of the island with views east and west.
240V electricity is provided by generator for lighting and recharging of batteries.
There is mobile phone reception on the island for some networks.
The rooms are shady and well ventilated.
Activities:
* Sailing
* Kayaking
* Snorkelling equipment available
* Guided excursions to Bagamoyo town and Kaole ruins
* Diving can be arranged with the nearby diving centre
