The Ultimate Guide to Zanzibar beaches
At a short distance of about 20 minutes from the capital city of Dar es Salaam, lies one of the most popular destinations of Tanzania – Zanzibar. Imagine a collection of islands all offering the best of beaches and waters and you’ll have a pretty picture of how things work around here. No wonder that Zanzibar receives more than 300,000 visitors each year. Whether you stay on the North or on the East, any direction really, Zanzibar’s beaches do not disappoint.
The most popular is Unguja or Zanzibar Island. This archipelago consists of Mafia, Pemba and Lathan Islands as well. Here’s a look at the best beaches in the country.
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- Pemba and Mafia – whilst Pemba and Mafia islands are a short flight from the historic Stone Town, we’ve put them in here as they are such special places, with the islands not being as developed as Zanzibar. This makes for perfect quiet times on the beach and fabulous waters. The tide-friendly beaches are great to swim in or just catch a few winks. Pemba and Mafia are especially famous for scuba diving and there are many fabulous sites in and around the Island. Make sure you’re with a certified diver to enjoy the most of the trip.
- Nungwi – one of the most popular beaches in Zanzibar, this tourist spot offers you the best of fun in the sun. These waters are great for swimming and there are many hotels on the beach Zanzibar for your staying comfort. The beach is situated on the north of the island.
- Mnemba – this beach is in the main island and has reefs that offer hours of exploration. Since it’s situated on the Island, you won’t spend a lot of money and time travelling to a different place. The beach is also great for drift diving.
- Kendwa – in the North West, on the island of Tumbatu is this shallow beach. The tide goes out quite far and it’s a good beach to loll about.
- Kizimkazi – in the south of the country is the secluded, yet accessible beach of Kizimkazi. Fumba is not easy to get to but the others are and once there, you can enjoy snorkeling and diving. This is a good place to spend time on the water.
- Pongwe – the big advantage with this beach that it’s not too affected by the tides. This means that you can enjoy the waters as much as you want. What’s more, you have beautiful red starfish to keep you company!
- Paje – if beach bars are your thing, head to Paje without delay. Between May and October, December and February, this place comes alive with kite surfers. You can walk along the water during low tide to little pools the ocean makes. It’s not too conducive to swimming, given the surfers, but it can still be an attractive option.
- Dongwe – on the picturesque south east of the island is the beach of Dongwe. If you’re looking for an ocean view resort Zanzibar this is the place to be at. Check into Kichanga Lodge where every cottage comes with a view of the ocean and enjoy the most gorgeous sights you might have laid eyes on.