Marlin Lodge is a luxurious African Bush Lodge on an Indian Ocean island. It is not a resort hotel but rather offers a more exclusive 'barefoot luxury' experience with stylish accommodation, power white beaches and mouth-watering food. It lies on a magnificent protected beach within the Marine National Park, facing west towards the mainland.
17 en suite thatched chalets and suites built on wooden stilts have en suite bathrooms, ceiling fans, solar power, mosquito nets and private deck s overlooking Flamingo Bay with a path to the beach. The 14 luxury rooms and 3 suites are air-conditioned with four poster beds and beautiful furniture. They are decorated with a hue of creams, browns and light blues. Wooden walkways connect the chalets to the main areas, preserving local plant life.
Dine alfresco under lantern-lit trees and enjoy mesmerizing sunsets over the beach. A blend of Afro-Asian and Portuguese cuisine is served either in the spacious open-deck dining room, on the beach under the African stars or as a private meal on your own deck or on the beach.
Marlin Lodge offers numerous lounging areas and a cocktail bar where you can retreat from the sun for cocktails or lazily catch up on some reading. The freshwater pool is set in a glade of coconut and Ilala palms.
A range of water sports is on offer including diving, snorkelling, water-skiing, and some of the best deep-sea and saltwater fishing off Africa. They also offer boat cruises to the Pansy islands, sunset cruises in the ancient dhow boats and island tours. The usual beach activities such as windsurfing, water skiing, sea kayaking, cat sailing & power kite flying are also available. There is a fully-equipped dive centre and a PADI dive instructor.
For birding enthusiasts, approximately 78 different species of birds have been identified on the island, in habitats varying from the coastal dunes, open grasslands, and fresh water lakes, to Savannah and acacia woodlands. A few of the more unusual birds to be seen are the green coucals, green pigeons, purple banded and black sunbirds, lilac breasted rollers, olive bee-eaters, mannikins, paradise flycatchers, fish eagles, flamingoes, starlings and various waders such as curlews, bartailed godwits, whimbrels, and crab plovers.
The Dugong, the mythical mermaid, 'the Original Sirenia' that beckoned sailors to their doom, is among the most spectacular of the marine mammals. Dugongs are normally encountered in family groups grazing on marine grass meadows in the sheltered bays. There are five species of Dolphin found in the area and they can be seen frolicking around the sandbanks or lazily swimming past the front of Marlin Lodge. In deeper waters, Humpback whales can be seen in the summer months.
The Archipelago is a shell lover's haven. At Pansy Island, and numerous surrounding sandbanks, many of the famous 'Pansy Shells' can be found. The two freshwater lakes on the Island are ideal for bird watching or just relaxing. |
