Best Beaches in Zanzibar

Every Zanzibar beach has white sand and warm water, but they are not all the same. The biggest difference is the tide: on some coasts the sea goes out hundreds of metres at low tide, on others you can swim all day. Here is our guide to the best beaches, coast by coast.

North coast: Nungwi and Kendwa

Best for: swimming at any time of day and sunsets.

The north is the least affected by the tide, so you can swim at almost any hour. Kendwa has a long, wide beach and calm water. Nungwi, at the northern tip, is livelier, with restaurants, the turtle lagoon at Baraka Natural Aquarium and the boat builders who still make dhows by hand. Both face west, so the sunsets are excellent.

From here: horse riding on the beach, deep sea fishing, Nungwi village and dhow-building tour and easy access to Tumbatu and Mnemba.

North-east coast: Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani and Kiwengwa

Best for: quiet stays and Mnemba snorkeling.

These long, calm beaches face the Indian Ocean and look straight out towards Mnemba Atoll. The tide goes far out, revealing reef flats and seaweed farms, so swimming is best around high tide. In return you get space and quiet.

South-east coast: Paje, Jambiani and Bwejuu

Best for: kitesurfing, a relaxed village feel and wide sandy views.

Paje is the kitesurfing centre of Zanzibar, with a shallow lagoon that is ideal for learning (kitesurfing in Paje). Jambiani is a long village beach where daily life carries on beside the hotels. The tide here is strong: at low tide you walk far across the sand, at high tide the water reaches the beach.

From here: Kuza Cave, Jozani Forest and the Southern Zanzibar day.

Michamvi Peninsula

Best for: a sunset on the east coast and calm water.

Michamvi is a narrow peninsula with beaches on both sides, so you can watch the sunset over Chwaka Bay. Nearby is the Blue Lagoon, where shallow water and starfish appear at low tide, and The Rock restaurant. See our Michamvi Blue Lagoon, Starfish and The Rock tour.

South: Kizimkazi and Mtende

Best for: small coves and a quieter Zanzibar.

Mtende Beach is a small cove with cliffs and clear water, and Kizimkazi is home to the Salaam Cave turtle sanctuary.

Sandbanks

Some of the most beautiful beaches in Zanzibar are not on the island at all. Nakupenda, off Stone Town, is a strip of white sand that only appears at low tide (Prison Island and Nakupenda day), and Safari Blue stops at a sandbank in Menai Bay (Safari Blue guide).

Which beach should you choose?

• Swimming all day: Kendwa or Nungwi
• Kitesurfing: Paje
• Quiet and spacious: Matemwe or Jambiani
• Sunset: Kendwa, Nungwi or the west side of Michamvi
• Close to Stone Town for a short stay: combine a few nights in town with the beach, as in our holiday packages

Whichever beach you choose, we pick you up from your hotel for tours and transfers across the island.

Need help choosing where to stay? Message us on WhatsApp at +255 773 963 024 or use our contact page.