· Golden Memories Safaris
Zanzibar has some of the finest beaches in East Africa, but they are not all the same, and choosing the wrong coast is the most common mistake visitors make. Some beaches swim well at any hour. Others empty into a flat plain of sand and seaweed at low tide. Some are lively with bars and dhow boats, others are quiet villages with a handful of guesthouses. This guide explains the differences so you can pick the beach that suits your trip, and the time of year that suits the beach.
In this guide
- How Zanzibar's coasts differ, and why the tides matter
- Nungwi and Kendwa on the north coast
- Matemwe, Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani on the north east
- Paje, Bwejuu, Michamvi and Jambiani on the east coast
- The south and west: Kizimkazi and the Stone Town side
- Which beach is best for couples, families, kitesurfing and snorkelling
- When to go, and what the seasons do to the beaches
- Getting around, safety and practical tips
- Combining Zanzibar with a safari
- Frequently asked questions
How do Zanzibar's beaches differ, and why do tides matter?
Zanzibar, properly called Unguja, is a long island in the Indian Ocean, about 40 kilometres off the Tanzanian mainland. A coral reef rings most of it. On the east coast that reef sits far from the shore, so the sea between the beach and the reef is shallow, and at low tide the water retreats a long way, leaving sand flats, tidal pools and seaweed farms. On the north coast the reef is close and the water is deeper, so tides change the beach less and swimming is possible at any time.
That one fact shapes your whole holiday. If you want to walk into the sea in front of your hotel at any hour, the north coast is the safer choice. If you love the east coast's wide, quiet beaches, check the tide table and plan your swimming for the hours around high tide, using the low tide for walks, seaweed farm visits, kitesurfing lessons or a spa. Your hotel will tell you the tide times, and good ones plan the day around them.
Nungwi and Kendwa: the north coast
Nungwi
Nungwi sits at the northern tip of the island and is the most developed of the north coast beaches, with a wide choice of hotels, restaurants and dive centres. The water is deep enough for swimming at all tides, the sand is white and the sunsets, looking west over the sea, are the reason many visitors come. The village is also the home of traditional dhow building, which you can watch on the beach, and the place has a livelier evening scene than most of the island.
It can feel busy at the main strip, especially in the high season, and you will meet beach sellers and boat operators. The beaches further from the village are quieter. Nungwi is a good base for divers, couples who like a lively setting and anyone who wants reliable swimming.
Kendwa
A short distance south of Nungwi, Kendwa has a broad, soft beach that is also swimmable at all tides, and a more relaxed feel. It is well known for its sunsets and for the full moon parties held at the beach in the high season. If you want the north coast without the busiest part of Nungwi, Kendwa is a good alternative, and the two can easily be combined on a walk along the sand.
Best for: swimming at any hour, sunsets, diving, couples and friends who want an active evening scene.
Matemwe, Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani: the north east
Matemwe
Matemwe is a long, quiet stretch of beach on the north east coast, and the closest mainland village to Mnemba Island and its surrounding marine conservation area, one of the best snorkelling and diving sites in Zanzibar. A small number of guesthouses and upscale lodges line the sand, and the atmosphere is calm. The tide moves further than on the north coast, so pick a place with a beach you can enjoy at both high and low water, or accept that part of the day is for walking and resting.
Mnemba trips usually go out by boat early in the morning, and conditions are best in clear, calm weather. Dolphins and sea turtles are sometimes seen. Only licensed operators should take you, and you should avoid anything that involves chasing or touching marine life.
Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani
Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani, a little further south along the same coast, are known for larger resorts, wide, white beaches and a more all-inclusive style of holiday. They suit families and groups who want facilities, pools, restaurants and kids' clubs on one site. The beach is beautiful, but resorts here can feel self-contained, and you will travel for any excursions. As elsewhere on the east, check the tides.
Best for: quiet beaches, snorkelling at Mnemba and resort comfort.
Paje, Bwejuu, Michamvi and Jambiani: the east coast
Paje
Paje is the kitesurfing capital of Zanzibar. The wide lagoon, steady wind and shallow water make it ideal for lessons, and kite schools line the beach. The village has a relaxed, backpacker and digital-nomad mood, with cafes and bars. At low tide the lagoon empties and the beach is a broad plain, so swimming is best around high tide.
Bwejuu and Michamvi
South of Paje, Bwejuu is a long, palm-lined beach with a village feel and a small choice of guesthouses and lodges. Further north, the Michamvi peninsula has two sides: Michamvi Kae, with a calm, sheltered beach on the bay, and Michamvi Pingwe, on the open sea. This part of the east coast feels more remote, and is known for sunsets over the bay and for a famous restaurant built on a rock in the sea.
Jambiani
Jambiani is a traditional fishing village strung along a beautiful beach, with small hotels and guesthouses and a real community behind the sand. It is a good choice if you want to see everyday Zanzibar life, and the local women's seaweed farms are close at hand. Visitors should dress modestly in the village and ask before taking photographs.
Best for: kitesurfing, village life, space and quiet, and travellers who plan around the tide.
The south and the west: Kizimkazi and Stone Town
The south coast, around Kizimkazi, is known for boat trips to see wild dolphins. Many trips are crowded and can stress the animals, so we advise choosing an operator that limits boats and numbers, keeps its distance and never lets swimmers chase the dolphins. The beaches in the south are quieter and less developed, and good for travellers who want to be away from everything.
Stone Town, the old capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not a beach destination, but it is worth a night or two for its alleys, markets, history and food. The beaches nearby are small and not the island's best, and the better strategy is to see the town for one or two nights and move on to a beach. Many visitors combine a night in Stone Town with a stay on the north or east coast. From the airport, Stone Town is only about 15 to 20 minutes by road.
Which Zanzibar beach is best for you?
- Couples and honeymoons: Nungwi, Kendwa or Matemwe for quiet and sunsets, or a small boutique lodge on the east coast. See our honeymoon guide for more.
- Families with young children: Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani for resort facilities, or Nungwi and Kendwa for safe swimming at all tides. Check the tide with young swimmers.
- Snorkelling and diving: Matemwe for Mnemba, and Nungwi and Kendwa for dive centres.
- Kitesurfing: Paje and the east coast, with winds that vary by season.
- Quiet and village life: Jambiani, Bwejuu and Matemwe.
- Nightlife and company: Nungwi, Kendwa and, for a younger crowd, Paje.
- Swimming at any time of day: the north coast, Nungwi and Kendwa.
- Sunsets: the west-facing north coast, Nungwi and Kendwa. Sunrises: the east coast.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar's beaches?
Zanzibar has a warm, humid climate all year, with sea temperatures in the high twenties Celsius. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority describes two rainy seasons on the islands: the long rains, called masika, from about March to May, and the short rains, called vuli, around November. The driest months are June to October and January to February.
- June to October: dry, sunny and slightly cooler, with clear water. This is the main high season, so book early.
- December to February: hot, dry and sunny, with calm seas, and busy around Christmas and New Year.
- March to May: the long rains bring heavy showers, higher humidity and fewer visitors. Prices are lower, and some hotels close for part of the season.
- November: short rains, usually brief and followed by sunshine, with quieter beaches.
Winds also matter. From about June to October the south east trade wind, called kusi, blows, and brings cooler, breezier weather and good kitesurfing on the east coast. From December to March the north east monsoon, kaskazi, is warmer and calmer. Seaweed can wash up on some beaches at certain times, which resorts clear daily.
How do you get around Zanzibar?
Zanzibar's airport is close to Stone Town, and most beach areas are 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes away by road, depending on the coast and the traffic. Private transfers from the airport are the simplest, and shared minibuses, called dala-dala, are cheap but slow. Taxis are available, and rental scooters and cars require a licence that is valid on the island, so check the rules before you rent.
If you are visiting from the mainland, you can arrive by flight from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam and many international airports, or by ferry from Dar es Salaam. For safari clients flying in from the northern parks, a short flight is the easiest option, and we can arrange it.
Safety, respect and practical tips
- Dress modestly away from the resorts. Zanzibar is a mostly Muslim society, so cover shoulders and knees in villages and Stone Town.
- Be sun-smart. The equatorial sun is strong, so use high-factor sunscreen and reef-safe products where possible.
- Use licensed boat operators for snorkelling and dolphin trips, and agree on prices in advance.
- Expect friendly beach sellers, and say a polite no if you are not interested. Do not hand over money for services you did not request.
- Drink bottled or filtered water, and talk to a doctor about vaccines and malaria. See our health guide.
- Take care with valuables on the beach, and use the hotel safe for passports and cash.
- Respect marine life. Do not touch coral, feed fish or ride turtles. Coral is fragile and protected.
Beach by beach: a quick comparison
If you want the facts in one place, here they are. Travel times are approximate from the airport and depend on traffic.
- Nungwi: north, about 1 to 1.5 hours. Swims at all tides. Lively, sunsets, dive centres, the most facilities.
- Kendwa: north, about 1 to 1.5 hours. Swims at all tides. Calmer than Nungwi, wide beach, sunsets, full moon parties.
- Matemwe: north east, about 1 hour. Tidal. Quiet, near Mnemba for snorkelling and diving.
- Pwani Mchangani and Kiwengwa: north east, about 50 minutes to 1 hour. Tidal. Large resorts, wide beaches, family facilities.
- Paje: east, about 1 hour. Tidal. Kitesurfing, cafes, a relaxed, social mood.
- Bwejuu: east, about 1 hour. Tidal. Quiet palm-lined beach and village feel.
- Michamvi: east, about 1 to 1.5 hours. Tidal. Remote, peaceful, sunsets over the bay.
- Jambiani: south east, about 1 to 1.25 hours. Tidal. Village life, seaweed farms, small hotels.
- Kizimkazi: south, about 1 to 1.25 hours. Quiet, dolphin trips, few hotels.
What to do in Zanzibar besides the beach
Most visitors spend a few days away from the sand, and Zanzibar has plenty to see.
- Stone Town walking tour: the old Swahili quarter, the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, the markets and the carved wooden doors. A guide brings the history alive, including the sobering story of the slave trade.
- Forodhani Gardens night market: grilled seafood, skewers and Zanzibar pizza by the waterfront in the evening.
- Prison Island (Changuu): a short boat ride from Stone Town to see a colony of giant Aldabra tortoises and some snorkelling.
- A spice tour: Zanzibar was once famous for cloves and spices, and a farm visit lets you taste and smell cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom and more.
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park: a forest reserve and home to the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else.
- Mnemba Atoll: snorkelling and diving in clear water and coral gardens.
- A sunset dhow cruise: a traditional sailing boat trip on a calm evening, with fruit and a drink on board.
- Diving and snorkelling courses: Nungwi, Kendwa and Matemwe have dive centres offering beginner courses.
- Kitesurfing lessons in Paje, with certified instructors.
Choose a mix. One or two days of activities, with the rest for the beach, is the pattern most people enjoy.
Where to stay: the types of places
Zanzibar offers every kind of stay. The best choice depends on your budget, your style and the coast you pick.
- Large resorts and all-inclusive hotels: common on the north east around Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani. Good for families, groups and travellers who want everything in one place.
- Boutique and luxury lodges: small, stylish properties on Matemwe, Nungwi, Michamvi and the east coast. They suit couples and honeymooners who want privacy and service.
- Mid-range hotels and bungalows: a wide range in Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje and Jambiani, often with a pool and a restaurant on the beach.
- Guesthouses and hostels: simple and cheap, especially in Paje and Jambiani, and a good fit for backpackers.
- Villas and apartments: for groups and longer stays.
Ask four questions before you book. Is the beach swimmable at low tide? How far is it to the nearest restaurant or shop? Does the property have a pool as a back-up? And what do other guests say about the noise, since some places near Nungwi and Kendwa host loud parties? The answers will tell you more than a photo.
Sample stays: four, five and seven nights
Four nights, a short break
One night in Stone Town to see the old town and the night market, then three nights on one beach. Choose the north coast for easy swimming, or Matemwe for quiet. Add a Mnemba snorkel trip or a sunset dhow cruise.
Five nights, the classic
Arrive and spend one night in Stone Town, then four nights at a beach on the north or north east coast. Include a spice tour and a visit to Jozani Forest on the way, and keep two full days for doing nothing.
Seven nights, a two-coast stay
Divide the week between two coasts: three nights on the north coast for swimming and sunsets, and three nights on the east for village life or kitesurfing, with one night in Stone Town. This gives you a taste of both sides of the island, and one night of history.
Food and drink on the island
Zanzibar's food reflects its position on the old trade routes, with Swahili, Indian, Arab and Portuguese influences. Look for grilled octopus and fish, coconut curries, biryani, urojo soup, fresh tropical fruit and spiced tea. Most hotels serve international dishes too, and village restaurants often serve the freshest seafood at modest prices. Alcohol is available at hotels and some restaurants, but not everywhere, so ask first, and be discreet in towns and villages.
Combining Zanzibar with a safari
The classic Tanzanian holiday is a northern circuit safari followed by a few days on Zanzibar. After days of early starts and dusty game drives, a beach gives you a soft landing. Most visitors spend 4 to 7 nights on the island. If you want the beach but only have a short time, a fly-in safari from Zanzibar to a national park is possible too. We have a separate guide to short safaris from Zanzibar, and a full 10 day safari and beach itinerary.
- 8 Day Luxury Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Escape
- 7 Day Ndutu & Zanzibar Honeymoon Safari 2026–2027
Read: Tanzania and Zanzibar in 10 days
Read: Safari from Zanzibar, fly-in day trips
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Zanzibar?
It depends on what you want. Nungwi and Kendwa are best for swimming at all tides and sunsets, Matemwe for quiet and snorkelling, and Paje and Jambiani for kitesurfing and village life.
Which side of Zanzibar is better, east or north?
The north coast has deeper water and swims well at all tides. The east coast has wide, quiet beaches but strong tides. Choose north for easy swimming, east for space and kitesurfing.
How many days do you need in Zanzibar?
Four to five nights is a good minimum for a beach stay, and one to two nights in Stone Town can be added. A week allows you to relax properly.
Is Zanzibar good for swimming?
Yes, especially on the north coast at any tide and on the east coast around high tide. Check local conditions and take care with currents.
Which month is best for Zanzibar?
June to October and January to February are the driest and sunniest. The March to May rains are the wettest and quietest.
Can I do a safari from Zanzibar?
Yes. Short fly-in safaris from Zanzibar to Mikumi, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and the Serengeti are possible, and are popular for beach visitors who want a taste of the mainland.
Keep planning your Tanzania trip
These guides cover the next questions most travellers ask.
Tanzania honeymoon: safari and beach
Tanzania vaccines, malaria and health
Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month
Sources and further reading
Facts and figures in this guide come from the sources below. Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so confirm current details before you book.
- Tanzania Meteorological Authority, climate statements, meteo.go.tz.
- Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, visitor information, zanzibartourism.go.tz.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Stone Town of Zanzibar, whc.unesco.org.
- Tanzania Tourism Board, Zanzibar destination information, tanzaniatourism.com.
Zanzibar Commission for Tourism
UNESCO: Stone Town of Zanzibar
Last reviewed 7 October 2026. Tide times, ferry and flight schedules and hotel availability change, so confirm details before you book.