Nakupenda Sandbank with Seafood Lunch
A white sandbank, snorkelling and a seafood barbecue
- Location Nakupenda Sandbank, off Stone Town, Zanzibar
- Duration Half day, approximately 5 to 6 hours
- Tour type Private or shared
- Availability Daily, tide dependent. Morning and afternoon departures
Price on request Send the form and we reply with a firm quote, usually within a few hours.
Overview
Nakupenda means “I love you” in Kiswahili, and the sandbank earns the name. It sits a short boat ride off Stone Town, a strip of pure white sand surrounded on every side by shallow turquoise water. At high tide it shrinks to a sliver. At low tide it opens into a wide beach with nothing on it but your group, the shade tents and the sea.
The day starts with a boat from Stone Town. On the way out you stop to snorkel over the reef, where the water is clear enough to see the coral and the tropical fish without effort. Masks, fins and life jackets come with the trip, and the crew stays in the water with anyone who wants support.
On the sandbank your team sets up shade and serves a seafood barbecue: fresh fish, calamari, prawns and rice, with tropical fruit and soft drinks. After lunch the afternoon is yours to swim, walk the length of the bank or lie in the shade until the boat heads back.
Morning and afternoon departures both run. Morning trips catch the calmest water and the best light for photographs. Afternoon trips work well if you are combining the day with a Stone Town walk.
Highlights
- Sail to one of the whitest sandbanks in the Indian Ocean
- Snorkel over live coral reef with gear provided
- Fresh seafood barbecue served on the sand
- Shade tent, tropical fruit and soft drinks included
- Swim in shallow, calm, exceptionally clear water
- One of the most photographed spots in Zanzibar
Itinerary
- 08:30
Hotel pickup and transfer to Stone Town
Your driver collects you and brings you to the Stone Town seafront, where the boat and crew are waiting.
- 09:30
Boat to the reef
Sail out across the channel. The crew hand out snorkelling gear and life jackets and brief you before the first stop.
- 10:00
Snorkelling
Around an hour in the water over the coral, with the crew close by. Non-swimmers stay comfortable in life jackets or remain on the boat.
- 11:30
Nakupenda Sandbank and lunch
Land on the sandbank. Your shade is set up, the seafood barbecue is served, and the rest of the time is free for swimming, walking and photographs.
- 14:30
Return
Sail back to Stone Town and transfer to your hotel.
What is included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Boat transfer to the sandbank
- Snorkelling mask, fins and life jacket
- Lunch-Fresh seafood lunch on the sandbank
- Tropical fruit and soft drinks
- Shade tent on the sandbank
- Professional guide and boat crew
- All fees and taxes
Not included
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Gratuities for your guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- Anything not named under what is included
- Alcoholic drinks
Pickup and meeting point
Pickup time: Around 08:30 or 12:30, adjusted to the tide on your travel date.
Meeting point: Hotel reception, then the boat departs from the Stone Town seafront.
We collect from these areas:
- Stone Town
- Zanzibar City
- Maungani
- Nungwi
- Kendwa
- Matemwe
- Kiwengwa
- Pwani Mchangani
- Uroa
- Pongwe
- Chwaka
- Michamvi
- Paje
- Jambiani
- Makunduchi
- Kizimkazi
- Fumba
- Mangapwani
What to bring
- Swimwear worn under your clothes
- Towel
- Reef-safe sun cream
- Hat and sunglasses
- Waterproof bag or phone case
- Dry change of clothes
- Cash for tips if you wish
Important information
- The sandbank appears and disappears with the tide, so departure times shift day to day. We confirm your exact pickup time the evening before.
- The boat is open. Sun protection matters more here than anywhere else on the island.
- Tell us about seafood allergies or dietary needs when you book and the kitchen will prepare an alternative.
- Children are welcome. Life jackets are provided in child sizes.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be able to swim?
No. Life jackets are provided and the water around the sandbank is shallow enough to stand in. Tell your guide and they will stay with you.
What is served for lunch?
A barbecue of the day's catch, usually fish, calamari and prawns, with rice, salad, tropical fruit and soft drinks. Vegetarian and other dietary needs are prepared on request.
Is there shade on the sandbank?
Yes. A tent is set up for your group before you land. There is no natural shade at all on a sandbank, so the tent matters.
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