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Zanzibar, Where to go, What to do

Idyllic and Pristine Beaches

Made famous for its spices and the slave trade of the 19th century, Zanzibar Island is much more than a stopping point on an itinerary, and can be seen as a destination in itself. What the island offers is a unique combination of outstanding beaches, along its eastern edge, interesting activities, such as visiting a working spice farm, and the cultural delights of Stone Town, with Arabian fortresses and minarets.

With its location, barrier reef and outstanding beaches Zanzibar can offer all of the attractions that most crave such as scuba diving, glorious beaches, fresh seafood and much more. For those that are a little restless there is a small forest in the interior called Jozani that has indigenous red colobus monkeys, and the spice tours in one of the small farms just outside Zanzibar Town are a fascinating glimpse into why this island has become so famous.

Off the shores of Zanzibar island there are a variety of little islands offering a more secluded and remote beach experience, away from the attraction of the main island. Some of these are only accessible at certain times of the day according to tide levels, and the smaller sandbanks and spits are excellent for sailing excursions and picnics. A few of the permanent islands, like Mnemba and Chumbe, provide exclusive accommodation to travellers.

For those looking for the very best and most private beach experience with flour soft sand beaches and absolute seclusion, Mnemba Island is undoubtedly the best option for a Tanzania honeymoon, or indeed any Zanzibar holiday. This tiny island is everything you can imagine of a remote windswept paradise, and has been voted one of the most romantic destinations on the planet.

On a much simpler scale, the eco-lodge at the heart of a marine conservation on Chumbe island provides a blissful island hideaway, although the shoreline is sharp coral rock with not much of a beach. However, the marine life around here is outstanding and the snorkelling first rate. Chumbe should always be used in conjunction with another location that offers a good quality beach.

To the west of Stone Town is Prison Island (also known as Chapwani), which is renowned for its lack of prison. The main attraction here are the monstrous tortoises that are well worth a visit. Close to Prison Island is Bawe island, which is lovely, however the accommodation is rather overpriced and view is of the main shipping lane to Stone Town.

 

Nungwi & Kendwa (North)


The best beaches on the island. Really beautiful & classic indian ocean paradise. Non-tidal turquoise waters & really powdery white sands. Can sometimes be busy.

The Northern tip of Zanzibar is special. Unlike the East and West coastlines, the top island location is blessed by not having to deal with high and low tides. This makes Nungwi a perfect place if you are looking to swim around the clock without have to walk far out to sea to chase the ocean.

Nungwi is known for it's party atmosphere, yet it's not to be compared with party beach destinations elsewhere in the world. There are a number of bars and clubs, but the entire atmosphere remains Zanzibari style, chilled out and low key.

Pongwe Beach Zanzibar (East)


The only east Zanzibar beach to not be tidal – it sits in a little concave bit of coast line which means the beach is always glorious & the tide always in! Not the long sweeping beaches of the north, but a pocket of pure gold. Less busy than the north. The water is the perfect temperature. It is also a delightful array of blues, greens, and turquoise, and the area is relatively quiet on the eastern side of the island. Soak in great Sunshine with complete relaxation and tranquility. There aren’t many people to bother you here as it is one of the lesser known beaches on the island. With that tranquility also comes the problem of food and locals towns around the area – there aren’t many. So you’ll likely be reliant on your Zanzibar hotel for food and entertainment once you arrive.

Paje Beach Zanzibar (South Eastern Zanzibar)


One of the more popular Southeastern beach towns on Zanzibar is Paje. It's a great place to visit if you enjoy swimming in the ocean but also interacting with other travelers. There's a good selection of bungalows, small restaurants, and beach bars. Paje is one of the better areas on the island to go if you are interested in learning how to SCUBA dive, or practicing other water sports like windsurfing or kite surfing.

A cool coffee shop, bars, cheap hostels, and tasty food can all be found in Paje making it one of the best areas to stay in Zanzibar. However, Paje is best known for its kitesurfing. Kiteboarders and beginners flock here to get catch some wind on this beautiful Zanzibar beach! Beginners can choose any number kitesurfing schools in Paje. Besides the kitesurfing, Paje is a great spot for laid back vacationers who want to experience soft sand and bright blue water. The women’s seaweed center, Jozani Forest, and the famous Rock restaurant are all close to Paje.

Bwejuu Beach Zanzibar (North of Paje)


Just North of Paje, is the seaweed fishing village of Bwejuu. It's not the most pleasant beach on the island in terms of swimming, but it has a truly unique form of natural beauty. If you are looking for a quiet beach town without even having to consider interacting with others, Bwejuu is a choice beach. Bwejuu’s swaying palm trees that are so lanky they look like they could snap off, but instead remain limber, dancing to the Zanzibari wind.

Stonetown Zanzibar


Visitors to Zanzibar tend to arrive and leave via Stone Town, the island capital and an historic hub of commerce and culture. This ancient centre was the seat of the Sultans, whose crumbling palaces, bath houses and mosques are a legacy of this opulent and vibrant time at the heart of the gold trade. The town has a very different commercial attitude today, and one that thrives on the growing tourist market. The labyrinthine streets are lined with traders selling everything from mass-produced art works to ancient wooden doors, from tie dye t-shirts to jewels. The muezzins’ call to prayer echoes across the rooftops at the break of day, while cats, goats, dogs, roosters and babies often make themselves heard in between! This old town remains a wonderful place to spend a night or two, getting lost among the elegant, ancient buildings, eating fresh fish on the sea front and breathing in the sights, sounds and smells of a truly Swahili centre. The beach surrounding Stone Town may not be the best beach in Zanzibar; however, if you have a few days on the island then Stone Town is a must. The beach in Stone Town is the liveliest for locals on the island and some may argue it’s one of the best swimming beaches in Zanzibar. On weekends expect the crowds to swell and the Zanzibari people to take part in swimming, football games, and gymnastic show downs. This beach is also a great spot to watch the dhows sail off into the setting sun.

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