Best Beaches in Zanzibar and How to Choose Between Them
Zanzibar has around three hundred kilometres of coast and the beaches are not interchangeable. The coast you choose decides whether you swim all day or walk on sand flats, whether you have restaurants within reach or a quiet stretch to yourself, and how long you sit in a car after landing.
Here is an honest guide to the main beaches, written by people who drive between them every week.
Nungwi
The northern tip, and the busiest beach on the island. The sea stays swimmable at every state of the tide, which is the single biggest reason people choose it. There is a real village behind the beach, a working dhow yard, a turtle sanctuary, plenty of restaurants and bars, and everything from backpacker rooms to large resorts.
Choose Nungwi if you want to swim whenever you like, eat somewhere different each night and have things happening around you. See Nungwi.
Kendwa
A short way down the west side from Nungwi, with the same deep water and a softer, wider beach. Kendwa faces west, so it gets the sunset, and it is calmer than Nungwi without being isolated. It has a reputation for its full moon parties, but most nights are quiet.
Choose Kendwa if you want Nungwi swimming with a slower pace and sunsets from your own sand. See Kendwa.
Paje
The east coast, and the centre of Zanzibar kitesurfing. A huge turquoise lagoon protected by a reef, with a strong tidal range. At high tide it is spectacular. At low tide the water pulls back and the flats fill with kite schools, seaweed farmers and people walking. Paje has the best casual food and beach bar scene on the east coast.
Choose Paje if you want to learn to kite, you like a young, relaxed crowd, and you are happy to plan swimming around the tide. See Paje.
Jambiani
South of Paje along the same lagoon, and considerably quieter. Jambiani is a long village strung along the shore, with small guesthouses, family-run restaurants and seaweed farming still going on in front of you. Same tide as Paje, less noise.
Choose Jambiani if you want the east coast without the kite crowd, and you like being in a living village rather than a resort strip.
Michamvi
The peninsula between the east coast and Chwaka Bay. Michamvi Kae faces west, so you get the rare combination of an east-coast setting with a sunset over water. It is quiet, the hotels are spaced out, and there is very little to walk to.
Choose Michamvi if you want privacy and sunsets, and you are content to eat where you are staying. See Michamvi.
Matemwe
The north-east coast, directly opposite Mnemba atoll. Matemwe is the closest base to the best snorkelling and diving in Zanzibar, and the boat ride out is short. The beach is long and quiet, with a tidal range smaller than Paje but larger than Nungwi.
Choose Matemwe if the sea life is the point of your trip. See Matemwe and the Mnemba Island half-day tour.
Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani
The middle of the east coast, and where most of the large all-inclusive resorts sit. Wide white beach, plenty of space, easy for families who want everything on site.
Choose Kiwengwa if you want a full-service resort and do not plan to leave it often.
Kizimkazi
The far south, and the departure point for dolphin trips. Quieter than anywhere else on this list, with a rugged coast rather than a classic white strip, and some of the island best value small hotels.
Choose Kizimkazi if you want the south, the dolphins and almost nobody else. See Kizimkazi.
Mtende
A small cove on the south-east corner, reached down a path between coral cliffs. There is barely anything there, which is exactly why people go. It is a stop rather than a base.
So which one
Most trips work best split between two coasts, or between Stone Town and one beach. If you only have a few days, pick the north for swimming. If you have a week or more, spend part of it on the east coast and part in Stone Town or the north.
Tell us how long you have, who is travelling and what you want to do each day. We will match the coast to the trip and book the hotel, the transfers and the excursions as one plan.
