Private island escapes: our top five Indian Ocean hideaways for 2026

We often recommend that clients combine both bush and beach on their African safaris, and these five private islands really set the bar when it comes to an ocean adventure.

A private island experience offers the rare opportunity to enjoy an entire tropical retreat exclusively or as one of a small handful of visiting guests. Simultaneously remote and refined, they’re the ideal way to wind down at the end of an action-packed African adventure. And, as with all our trips, we’ll work with you to create a bespoke itinerary for your time on-island: arranging travel, booking accommodation and building a tailored programme of activities; ensuring that all the finer details regarding costs and logistics are sorted well ahead of your safari.

East Africa is home to some of the most extraordinary private islands on earth - each with its own rare ecosystems, endemic species and richly layered history. Shaped by centuries of trade winds and maritime routes, these Indian Ocean outposts became crossroads of African, Arab, Persian and Indian cultures. These influences are still evident in island life today, be it through language, local cuisine or architecture. Many of these islands remain relatively underexplored, lending a true sense of discovery and adventure.

Whether it’s soaking up the last days of vitamin sea and enthusiastically trying your hand at every single one of the experiences on offer(!) or simply kicking back and embracing the slower pace of island life, these Indian Ocean hideaways are top of our list.

Thanda Island, Tanzania

This incredible uninhabited, five-hectare tropical island sits at the heart of a marine protected reserve off the coast of Tanzania. 

Thanda is one of the most chic private islands in the Indian Ocean: pristine white sands, turquoise seas, awesome watersports and a real home-from-home feel. The main villa has five suites that open directly onto the beach, with two additional beach chalets for extra guests or families. 

Perfect for family fun, this property has it all: from kiting, snorkelling, diving, sailing and fishing to unwinding by the pool, making the most of the beautiful spa and spending evenings in the cosy outdoor cinema. There’s something for everyone on this island, although if you do want to explore further afield, Thanda offers trips to nearby Mafia Island, neighbouring marine parks and some of Tanzania’s most historic coastal towns. 

Nothing is ever too much at Thanda. General manager, Anti and her incredible team genuinely go above and beyond, delivering a level of care and attention to detail that constantly surpasses expectations. When we visited with a family last year, we mentioned wanting to watch the rugby and within hours Anti had created a full outdoor cinema set-up under the stars. It was such a thoughtful surprise, and our guests were absolutely blown away.

As with all of the properties we work with, conservation is top of the agenda at Thanda Island. Efforts focus on protecting marine life — reefs, turtles and whale sharks — as well as supporting neighbouring communities through education, employment and sustainability programmes.

Arrival is by helicopter (approx 45 minutes from Dar es Salaam) or by a short fixed-wing flight to nearby Mafia Island, followed by a boat transfer. As always with Africa Born, the journey is absolutely part of the experience.

Top tip: Visit in the dry, warm season - from June to October - as calm seas make for perfect conditions for Thanda’s many watersports and swimming with whale sharks - a real standout moment for Paolo when he visited last year; something we’d absolutely recommend.

Fanjove Island, Tanzania

Fanjove Island lies in the remote Songo Songo Archipelago. This tiny coral island off the Tanzanian coast offers a rare and authentic blend of unbelievable natural beauty, cultural charm and quiet simplicity. Fanjove has a true castaway magic - a Robinson Crusoe wonderland - surrounded by wildlife and rooted in 19th Century heritage: the island is overlooked by one of the last remaining 19th century lighthouses built by the Germans, with fascinating ruins of an old fishing village.

Accommodation is made up of 20 beautifully tucked-away villas — including thoughtfully designed family villas - each built facing the ocean using natural, local materials and powered by solar energy. Fanjove very much champions the “light footprint” philosophy. 

The island is surrounded by an 11km stretch of incredible coral reef, teeming with marine life: seabirds, tropical fish, sea turtles, spinner and bottlenose dolphins, and - in season - passing humpback whales. So naturally diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding and dhow sundowners are highly popular among guests, as are nature walks across the islands and birdwatching. The on-island gym, thalassotherapy-led spa and beautiful kids club ensure there’s something for everyone between adventures. Meals are served on the shaded terrace of the iconic lighthouse, around the beach bonfire of an evening or packed up for picnics on remote sandbars.

Access Fanjove via a daily flight from the mainland (approx 50 minutes) followed by a15 minute speed boat transfer to the island. 

Top tip: With more of a focus on relaxation and wellness - and its genuinely world-class spa and facilities - Fanjove is suited to those that want to put their feet up.

Miavana, Madagascar

Another Africa Born favourite, Miavana is a remote island off Madagascar’s northeast coast, reachable only by helicopter. Expect a beautiful blue haven of unspoiled horizons, palm-lined shores and miles of pristine forest: Miavana’s creators spent years rewilding the island planting over 100,000 indigenous trees. 

Miavana absolutely hits the mark in terms of design. Its communal Piazza and 14 ocean‑front villas - each with direct beach access, private pool or plunge pool - combine clean, contemporary lines with organic form and texture: local Malagasy wood, stone and traditional hand‑dyed fabrics. Quiet, sophisticated barefoot luxury.

This really is a rare corner of the world and the team at Miavana are masters at bringing together exclusivity and adventure. From diving, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing and kite‑surfing to stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, water-skiing and wakeboarding, the waters offer endless activity. While on dry land it’s all about guided lemur tours, forest walks, biking, quad biking, yoga and the spa: all guests are treated to a 20-minute welcome spa treatment on the house.

All guests arrive by helicopter - a thrilling ride over mountains, baobabs and shipwrecks from either Diego Suarez or Nosy Be airport in mainland Madagascar. The flight from Diego Suarez is approximately 30 minutes, while the flight from Nosy Be is closer to 60 minutes.

Top tip: If you love kiting - and watersports in general - Miavana is the one. They have all the latest kit, so there’s no need to lug your own halfway across the world, and they’ll even lend you a quad bike to head off across the island to some of the best remote spots. You won’t find a soul here, but you will find a beautiful breakfast laid out in the shade and a brilliant bush shower thoughtfully set-up alongside. Honestly, the Miavana team thinks of everything!

Denis Island, Seychelles

Denis is an exclusive eco-retreat in the Seychelles’ most northern territory: 375 secluded acres of coral, coconut palms and flawless white sand for guests to explore; nothing is off-limits. 

The island has a real sense of community, all of whom share a love of nature and wildlife. Denis is not just a hideaway- it’s a working conservation sanctuary. With some of the rarest birds on earth, a designated sea turtle sanctuary and a highly-successful giant land tortoise project, the island really is a refuge for some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife. 

Denis has 23 sea-facing cottages and villas dotted across the island: all with direct beach or lagoon access and traditional interiors handcrafted in the island’s carpentry workshop. The Beach Villa is ideal for young families, with the largest footprint. 

Both on land and at sea, there’s much to keep every one entertained. For saltwater souls there’s snorkelling with sea turtles, diving (the on-island PADI dive centre is excellent), sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and catch-and-release sport fishing at the edge of a continental ocean drop-off. Nature lovers might prefer to explore the island while helping the team identify the tracks of egg-laying sea turtles on the beach, scout the forests for critically endangered magpie robins and paradise flycatchers, or take bikes out for a spin. On Denis there’s no shame in politely declining all of the above and just sitting back and spending your days snoozing in the shade, working your way through the treatments at the Beachfront Spa Cottage and making the most of Denis’ farm-to-table cuisine.

Denis is accessible yet wonderfully remote -  just 30 minutes by light aircraft from the main island - and international airport - of Mahé.

Top tip: To really embrace island life, leave your phone behind. There’s no mobile signal, no in-room internet and no cable TV. Denis is all about disconnecting to reconnect: make the most!

Alphonse, Seychelles 

Another tropical paradise in the Seychelles, Alphonse sits among the Outer Islands: a remote and untouched marine wilderness spanning over 13,800 acres. 

This exclusive retreat has 29 elegant beach villas, bungalows and retreats. The two Beach Retreats are Alphonse’s most high end offering, tucked away at opposite sides of the island in a quiet, secluded spot with incredible views. 

The communal areas include some excellent restaurants and bars, a large main pool, movie theatre, fitness centre, tennis courts, kids club (home to the Alphonse Tribe), conservation centre and Azure spa, which is well worth a visit.

Alphonse offers an impressive array of activities. Ocean adventures include snorkelling with sailfish, swimming with manta rays and blue safaris to see dolphins, whales and turtles in their natural habitat, plus freediving, kayaking and SUPs, surfing and flyfishing.

If staying on dry land is more your beat, there’s reef flat expeditions, bike rides around the island, nature walks on the uninhabited island of St. François, yoga and farm-to-table cooking classes. A Flats Lunch also comes highly recommended: a picture-perfect buffet lunch on Alphonse’s shallow flats.

Reach Alphonse via a 60-minute private charter flight from the main island - and international airport - of Mahé.

Top tip: Keen anglers will love Alphonse. With vast, untouched coral flats meeting deep-water drop-offs, Alphonse offers consistently exceptional fishing in one of the Indian Ocean’s most pristine marine environments. Add expert guides, strict catch-and-release practices and minimal fishing pressure, and it’s a true bucket-list destination for those who love to fish.

When to travel

We’ll work closely with you to establish when you’d like to travel and which Indian Ocean islands best fit the bill. 

Generally speaking we recommend visiting during the warm, dry season: roughly May / June - October for Thanda, Fanjove and Miavana, and April / May and September - November for Denis and Alfonse, when seas are calmer in the Seychelles.

Prices may be higher in these peak weeks - and some may prefer the quieter shoulder season - but whatever time of year to choose to travel, we’ll need to book your trip well in advance as these islands are small and have limited availability: all part of the magic!

Island access and logistics

Again, not something to worry about as we’ll sort all your travel arrangements on arrival in Africa. But - as with our bush itineraries - these beach destinations are reachable from the main East African airport hubs of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya and Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Travel to Miavana is a little more complex, with options to fly from Diego Suarez or Nosy Be airport in mainland Madagascar.

Next steps: booking your island escape

Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, solo or with friends, we’d love to chat to you about which island paradise is the perfect fit. 

The Africa Born team has extensive knowledge of all these islands - and more - so we’ve plenty of tips and recommendations to share, in order to tailor the ideal island escape for you and your party. 

We can also advise on which islands are the best fit with your safari plans: that perfect bush and beach combination. 

It’s not an easy job whittling down a top five among a literal sea of Indian Ocean destinations, so if none of the above grab your interest, we’ve many more islands up our sleeve and feel sure we’ll have something that ticks all the boxes.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)  

Q: How much does it cost to book a private island in the Indian Ocean?

A: Ours is a high end offering, but we always seek to deliver brilliant value. Broadly speaking, we advise guests to budget approximately $1,500 - $2,000 per adult per day for a private island stay. Rates for children depend on their age and the specifics of your itinerary. If you’re looking to book the island exclusively, the cost will of course be significantly higher, depending on the island.

Q: Can I combine an African safari with an Indian Ocean island stay? 

A: Yes, absolutely! We often recommend that clients combine both bush and beach on their African safaris: an Indian Ocean island stay is the ideal way to wind down at the end of an action-packed African adventure.

Q: What's included in an all-inclusive private island experience? 

A: This really depends on what you and your party would like to see and do. As part of our unique, tried and tested planning process, we’ll chat to you about your requirements, design your bespoke itinerary and outline the associated inclusions and costs. There is no one-size-fits-all model.

Q: Are private Indian Ocean islands family-friendly? 

A: Yes, very much so. All five of these islands are incredibly friendly, safe and perfect for families of all ages: be it the design and layout of accommodation, the culinary offering or the incredible array of activities. All have kids clubs or childcare / babysitting options so the grown-ups can enjoy a bit of downtime too. It is a holiday after all! 

Q: When is the best time to visit the Indian Ocean islands?

A: We recommend visiting during the warm, dry season: roughly May / June - October for Thanda, Fanjove and Miavana, and April / May and September - November for Denis and Alfonse. Prices may be higher in these peak weeks - and some may prefer the quieter shoulder season - but whatever time of year to choose to travel, we’ll need to book your trip well in advance.

Q: What’s the most exclusive option from the above list?

A: Tricky one as that varies from one person to the next. We all have a slightly different take on what ‘luxury’ or ‘exclusivity’ really means: from privacy and seclusion to personalised service and complete immersion in nature. If pushed, we’d probably say Miavana: a rare corner of the world and the epitome of a tropical island haven. Theirs is a very special take on quiet, sophisticated barefoot luxury.