The park includes a fully protected coral reef sanctuary and forest reserve that harbour extremely rare and endangered animals, a Visitor and Education centre, a small eco-lodge, nature trails and historical ruins.

All buildings and operations are based on state-of-the-art eco-technology aiming at zero impact on the environment (rainwater catchment, photovoltaic energy and solar water heating, composting toilets, vegetative greywater filtration etc.).

Chumbe Island and the surrounding area display an exceptional amount of biodiversity in both plant and animal life.

Seabirds such as roseate terns have successfully bred on Chumbe Island, as well and coconut crabs are frequently seen.

A 4,000 ha site encompassing adjacent Kombeni and Kiwani bays on the south-western side of Unguja as well as Chumbe Island, has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports populations of Terek sandpipers, crab plovers, as well as the breeding colony of some 750 pairs of roseate terns on Chumbe, as estimated in 1994.