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Best Beaches in Zanzibar
The pristine beaches of Zanzibar are welcoming and offer some of the best beach vacations on your Africa safari.
Famed for its spices and the slave trade of the nineteenth century, Zanzibar Island, also boasts some of the best beaches in Africa; and it offers mind-blowing beach safari holidays, including the ideal East African honeymoon. The island is relatively undeveloped, with only about 5 main roads leading back to the main town, Zanzibar, on its western edge. At its widest points, the island is only about 40 kilometers across and 100 kilometers from north to south. Nonetheless is a one-of-a-kind combination of outstanding beaches, interesting tours like visiting a working spice farm, and the cultural delights of Stone Town, complete with Arabian fortresses and minarets. On its eastern shores, the island features outstanding, powder-white beaches, flanked by barrier reefs and the Indian Ocean. The Zanzibar Channel runs along the western side of the island, where the main town (Zanzibar Town) and the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Stone Town are located.
However, while there are a few pockets of good beaches here (particularly around Kendwa), this side of the island is not widely regarded as a destination for beach goers. With its location, barrier reef, and outstanding beaches, Zanzibar provides all of the attractions that most summer holiday travelers seek, including scuba diving, beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and much more.
Furthermore, there is a small forest in the interior called Jozani that has indigenous red colobus monkeys, and spice tours in one of the small farms just outside Zanzibar Stone Town are a fascinating glimpse into why this island has become a famous African safari destination. Therefore, in detail, let us look at the best beaches in Zanzibar;
Nungwi Beach
Nungwi Beach is located in northern Zanzibar, approximately 67.4 kilometers from Zanzibar Airport and 62.9 kilometers from Stone Town. CNN Travel named this beach one of the best beaches in Africa for the year 2017. Beach is Zanzibar’s most famous and legendary beach featuring a variety of people and fascinating places including thrilling nightclubs, fantastic restaurants, and hotels.
The beach is also popular for its adventurous activities such as swimming, snorkeling, swimming with turtles, horseback riding, kayaking, sky diving, and diving; Nungwi is a popular destination for dive centers in Zanzibar. If you’re traveling alone, Nungwi Beach is a great place to make new friends: this is where the Masai and Beach Boys sell their handicrafts and tours to tourists. Also, at the western part of Nungwi beach, you can experience the best sunset especially when you go Sunset cruising with Dhow or Catamaran.
Kendwa Beach
This beach is located in Zanzibar’s northwestern region. It is approximately 66 kilometers from Zanzibar Airport and 61 kilometers from Stone Town. The beach is widely regarded as the best beach in the Zanzibar Islands and Tanzania as a whole. The beach is home to a variety of colored starfish, which provide snorkelers with an unforgettable snorkeling experience.
Moreover, the ocean tides at Kendwa Beach do not change in comparison to those at other beaches; this is the beach’s distinguishing feature. If you’ve heard of the Full Moon Party, you can find it in Zanzibar as well. Kendwa Beach is famous for its Full Moon Party, which is held every month at the Kendwa Rocks Hotel. The beach is also ideal for swimming, diving, sunbathing, and many other activities.
Pwani Mchangani
Pwani Mchangani beach is located on Zanzibar Island’s northwestern coast; about 47 kilometers from Zanzibar Airport away, and Stone Town about 43 kilometers from Stone Town. Pwani is Zanzibar’s windiest beach, making it ideal for the best kiteboarding tours. Other activities at the beach include swimming, sunbathing, game fishing, and diving.
Even though Pwani Mchangani beach is ideal for kiteboarding, we strongly advise you to stay on Paje beach if you want to do so. This is because there are more kiting schools than in Pwani Mchangani.
Uroa beach
Uroa beach is located on Zanzibar’s east coast, approximately 40 kilometers from Zanzibar Airport and 38 kilometers from Stone Town. If you only intend to stay at the hotel or walk around the hotel’s beach, this may be an option for you. Uroa beach is a very quiet beach, and the wind here is so relaxing and incredible! Like other beaches, there aren’t many beach activities.
However, if you enjoy beach walking, meeting new people, and participating in activities such as nightclubs, diving, and snorkeling, this may not be the best option for you. You should visit other beaches such as Kendwa and Nungwi.
Michamvi beach
Michamvi Beach Village is located on Zanzibar Michamvi Peninsula’s East Coast. It is approximately 64 kilometers from Zanzibar Airport and 63 kilometers from Stone Town. Michamvi beach is divided into two sections due to its peninsula: Michamvi Pingwe on the east and Michamvi Kae on the west. The famous The Rock Restaurant is located on Michamvi Pingwe beach. The Rock Restaurant is a popular restaurant in Zanzibar that is located on a rock. The restaurant is well-known in Instagram photos of Zanzibar. They have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian tables; you simply need to book your table before you arrive.
During high tides, the restaurant is surrounded by water, but during low tides, it becomes dry, and you can’t even imagine the water will surround this beautiful rock. Michamvi Kae is located on the west side of the Michamvi Peninsula and is the only beach in Zanzibar’s southeast where you can see the sunset. If you have enough money, you can stay at the Isaraya Water Villas at Konokono Beach Resort. These are the luxurious overwater villas that can only be found at Michamvi Beach in Zanzibar.
Bwejuu beach
Bwejuu beach is located in the western part of Unguja Island (Zanzibar), between Michamvi and Paje beaches. The beach lies about 53 kilometers from Zanzibar Airport and 52 kilometers from Stone Town (City).
If you want to visit Zanzibar for relaxation, Bwejuu beach is the best option. It is the quietest beach, with fewer activities than other populated beaches. When you arrive from the mainland (Tanzania) for a safari, this is the ideal beach to relax with family, friends, or couples. Also, if you are visiting Zanzibar for a honeymoon, Bwejuu beach is an option.
Paje Beach
This beach is located on Zanzibar Island’s southeast coast. It is situated between Bwejuu and Jambiani beaches about 50 kilometers from and 50 kilometers from Zanzibar Airport. Paje Beach is regarded as the best kiting beach in the Zanzibar Islands. If you want to go kiteboarding on your vacation, we highly recommend staying at this beach. Not only is kiteboarding a popular sport, but the area is also ideal for snorkeling, diving, and other activities.
There are numerous local stores where you can purchase fruits, local foods, or handcrafted items such as sculptures and paintings on Paje Island. Paje Beach is one of the best Kiteboarding vacation spots on the African continent. You can also purchase various tours and excursions such as Jozani Forest, Snorkeling trips, and Stone Town.
Kizimkazi Beach
Kizimkazi Beach is located in the Kizimkazi Fishers Village on Zanzibar Island, about 60 kilometers from the airport and 59 kilometers from Stone Town. Kizimkazi Beach is well-known in Zanzibar for swimming with dolphins, so many tourists book boat trips to swim with wild dolphins and snorkel. Kizimkazi beach is ideal for those looking for a less crowded beach in Zanzibar. In comparison to the other beaches in Zanzibar, this is a local fishermen’s village with few hotels, bars, and restaurants.
Another thing Kizimkazi is known for is the history of the Dimbani Mosque in Kizimkazi village, which was built in 1107 by Shirazi Settlers.
Mnemba Island
Mnemba Island is a private island located in Matemwe village on the northeast coast of Zanzibar Island. The beach is private, with pristine white sands. Whether you are looking to swim with dolphins and whale sharks, or diving, snorkel, fish, and sunbathe; Mnemba Island has it all. If you have enough money and want to spend your honeymoon in privacy, Mnemba Island is the ideal place to go.
Forodhani Beach
This is the beach near Stone Town’s Forodhani Garden; the most popular beach in Zanzibar for locals living in and around Zanzibar City. The beach is crowded with young locals, children, and tourists, particularly on weekends and every evening before sunset. During the evening, you can go see local boys perform acrobats and capoeira. It’s free, and they’re very nice to tourists. Forodhani Beach serves as a departure point for trips to Prison Island.
Prison Island Beach
Prison Island is well-known for its Giant Tortoises, but the beach is something that few people mention. The beach is small but ideal for sunbathing and playing with families, couples, and others. You can also go snorkeling at the prison island. However, most of vacation travelers to Zanzibar choose to relax on the beach after watching tortoises and snorkeling. If you want to visit Prison Island.
