X-Factor: Castaway chic

The Buzz: A mere 12 km long and 1 km wide, crescent-shaped Vamizi island is fringed with crystal clear azure waters and pristine powdery white beaches. The 13 thatched villas are spacious and naturally ventilated, furnished with marble and mahogany. Four poster beds draped with muslin add a touch of romance and expansive verandahs overlook the shimmering Indian Ocean. Vamizi exemplifies the esoteric pleasures of island life, providing the ultimate barefoot luxury experience.

Eco Features: Opened in 2005, the Vamizi Island Lodge is part of the Menuake Project, pioneering eco-tourism with wildlife conservation and community development. The resort supports the local economy and is constructed from sustainable materials. A desalination plant provides thousands of litres of fresh water daily and sustainable fishing is practiced. Vamizi’s conservation projects include whale and dolphin research programmes and an undertaking to protect endangered hawksbill and green turtles.

Icing on Cake: Elevate your mind, body and spirit with Reiki, Shiatsu and Craniosacral therapies. Nurture inner and outer beauty with Ashtanga yoga sessions on the beach, guaranteed to put you at ease in the serene surroundings.

Must-Do: An oceanic Eden, Vamizi is home to Neptune’s Arm, one of the top ten dive sites in the world. Kaleidoscopic coral gardens cascade down a 1000m cliff buzzing with vibrant marine life including tuna, barracuda, grey reef sharks and giant groupers. With world-class diving and big game fishing, the Vamizi seas harbour over 180 species of unbleached coral and 400 species of reef fish.

Out and About: If an underwater sea safari is too adventurous for your taste, set sail and observe humpback whales and dolphins frolicking in the surf. Alternatively, discover an astonishing array of flora and fauna with 112 species of birds, Samango monkeys, turtles and giant coconut crabs at your doorstep.

Visit www.vamizi.com for further information.