Zanzibar Beaches

NUNGWI, NORTHERN ZANZIBAR

A great beach and arguably the best “active” area on the island.

Right on the northernmost point of the island, the beach that surrounds this area is truly stunning. Azure waters and white sands are what awaits those that come here. The only drawback really is that many of the hotels have had to perch on the coral cliffs that run north from the village and, as such, lose their beaches at high tide. Generally, however, this is not a problem and, with the small backpacker community in the village, this is a great place to head if you like to get out of the hotel for a drink or two.

KENDWA, NORTHWEST ZANZIBAR

An idyllic beach with the best sunsets and most deserted beaches.

Only a few properties have managed to locate themselves on the western side of the island. The main reason is that there are relatively few beaches that are worth locating on…Kendwa is the one exception. Looking out to the island of Tumbatu, the beach here is one of white sand dropping off into the azure ocean. Good at all times of day, they don’t have the same issues as on the other side of the island where the beach is very shallow and so the tide retreats huge distances.

MATEMWE, NORTH EASTERN ZANZIBAR

One of the up and coming beaches on the island, the beach here is wide and sweeping.

Matemwe village, on the northeastern coast of Zanzibar, looks out to the small and exclusive island of Mnemba. Unlike many of the other beaches on the island, it has stayed relatively untouched by tourism until recently. It is possible to see why this beautiful and expansive beach has become so popular. As with many of the beaches on Zanzibar, it is true that the tidal range is very large and so the beach really becomes vast at low tide…but it is still possible to swim here throughout the day and, when the tide comes in, it really is a paradise.

KIWENGWA AND PONGWE, EASTERN ZANZIBAR

A long and untouched beach that runs for 20 km.

The beach that runs down this part of the island is, as with the Matemwe beach further north, very typical of Zanzibar. At low tide, it forms a wide band of white that runs out to the seaweed farms and, finally, to the deepwater channel and the barrier reef. At high tide, the waves come right up to the edge of the palm-covered land that spreads back to the main road. With probably the best beach on the island at Pongwe, there is very little to fault choosing one of the properties here. The only drawback, one could argue, is that there are no real centres to head for if you are after more than just a beach.

KIZIMKAZI, SOUTHERN ZANZIBAR

A forgotten region that boasts reasonable beaches and spectacular diving.

Generally not renowned for its beach coastline, many who head to the area are after the great diving and snorkelling that is on offer from the shoreline. There are, however, quite a few benefits to coming down here. The first is that the beaches when they are accessible, are totally your own. The second is that, with fewer people heading down here, you can have utter seclusion. The last is that, of all the beaches, this is the easiest and quickest to get to (excluding Fumba!).

BWEJUU AND DONGWE, SOUTH EAST ZANZIBAR

Driving north from the small town of Paje runs you along what is one of the most popular beaches on the island. The range of hotels and lodges along here is probably the most diverse in Zanzibar and, with a great beach pretty much throughout the day, it is very hard to go wrong with your choice. Here the beach is only compromised at low tide. However, the rest of the time it is possible to snorkel and swim as you like.