Every first-time visitor asks the same thing while planning: which part of Zanzibar has the best beaches? And every local, hotel owner and travel forum gives a slightly different answer, because they’re all describing a different kind of holiday.
So here’s a straight answer first. If you want to swim whenever you feel like it, the north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, is the best bet for most people. But if you’d rather have long empty beaches, kitesurfing or a sleepy village feel, the east and southeast might suit you better. Let me explain why, because the difference mostly comes down to one thing that rarely makes it into the brochures: the tide.
Which part of Zanzibar has the best beaches? The short answer
For swimming and sunsets, the north coast. For quiet and character, the east coast. For peace and boutique stays, the southeast. There isn’t one winner, and anyone who tells you there is has probably only stayed in one place.
We’re based in Nungwi, so we’re a bit biased towards the north. We’ll be fair to the rest of the island anyway.
Why the tide matters more than you’d think
On paper, every Zanzibar beach looks the same: white sand, turquoise water, palm trees. In real life, the sea behaves very differently depending on which side of the island you’re on.
On the east coast, the tide goes out a very long way. At low tide you’ll find a wide, shallow flat with sandbanks, pools, seaweed farms and locals walking out across it. It’s beautiful, but it’s not much good for a swim. At high tide it looks like the postcard.
In the north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, the tide makes much less of a difference. You can usually get in the water for most of the day, and that’s a bigger deal than it sounds when you’re on holiday for a week and want to swim after breakfast, not when a tide chart allows it.
The north: Nungwi and Kendwa
This is where most first-timers end up, and there’s a good reason.
Nungwi sits on the northern tip. It has soft white sand, clear water, and plenty to do: dive centres, beach bars, boat trips and sunset dhow cruises. It’s the livelier of the two, and the evenings have a bit of buzz.
Kendwa is a few kilometres down the coast and feels slightly more relaxed and spacious. The swimming is just as good and the sunsets are a highlight. It gets busier when there’s a full moon party, so check dates if you want a quiet night.
The two are close enough that you can walk between them along the beach when the tide is low, and many people split their stay across both.
Best for: swimming at any time of day, sunsets, first-time visitors, nightlife, water activities.
The east: Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu, Matemwe and Pongwe
The east coast faces the sunrise and has a more village feel. Fishermen, seaweed farmers and small guesthouses sit side by side.
Paje is the kitesurfing capital, with steady winds, beach cafés and a young, laid-back crowd. Jambiani and Bwejuu are quieter and more local, great for long walks and slow days. Matemwe is a peaceful fishing area and the usual launch point for trips out to Mnemba Atoll. Pongwe is smaller and more secluded, a favourite with couples who want privacy.
The trade-off is the tide. Plan your swimming around high tide, and use low tide to wander the flats or look for creatures in the rock pools. Bring reef shoes. The east can also be breezy in the dry months, which is perfect for kitesurfers and less perfect for a quiet book on the sand.
Best for: kitesurfing, sunrise, quiet village life, long beach walks, a more local feel.
The southeast and south: Michamvi, Dongwe and Kizimkazi
The southeast has some of the island’s quietest beaches, with boutique stays and tidal lagoons that suit a romantic trip. The tides are strong here too, so the same rules apply as on the east coast.
Further round the south and southwest, Kizimkazi and Menai Bay are known for dolphin trips. It’s a different style of holiday, based more around the wildlife than the beach itself, and a good add-on to a longer stay.
What about Stone Town?
Stone Town is worth a visit for the history, the markets and the food, but it isn’t a beach destination. Most people spend a day or two there, then head to the coast. If you’re wondering about the language you’ll hear on the way, we’ve put together a guide on what language they speak in Zanzibar.
A quick way to choose
- Swimming all day, every day: Nungwi or Kendwa
- Sunsets and a bit of nightlife: Nungwi or Kendwa
- Kitesurfing: Paje
- Peace, privacy and honeymoons: Pongwe or the southeast
- Village atmosphere on a budget: Jambiani or Bwejuu
- Snorkelling at Mnemba: Matemwe, or a boat from the north
- Dolphins: Kizimkazi and Menai Bay
Snorkelling and getting in the water
A beach is only half the story in Zanzibar. The reefs around the island are the other half, and the north is a good base for them. If you want to get in the water, there are plenty of Zanzibar snorkeling tours to choose from, and our guide to Mnemba Atoll explains what a trip is really like and how to plan it.
If you’d like to see the reef without swimming, that’s what we do. Our SeaWalk takes place at Nungwi Beach and you walk on the sea floor with a guide next to you. You don’t need to swim or dive, and you can wear your glasses. Book a SeaWalk and see the fish up close. Trips can be delayed or rescheduled if the weather or sea conditions aren’t safe, so it’s worth leaving a little flexibility in your plans.
When to go
The best beach in the world is a lot less fun in a downpour, so timing counts. Zanzibar has two dry seasons: roughly June to October, and December to February. The long rains arrive around March to May, with April and May usually the wettest, and there’s a shorter rainy spell in November.
If you’re trying to work out the best season to visit Zanzibar, June to October is the classic choice: drier, a bit cooler and breezier, and very popular. December to February is hotter and great for sun and swimming. If you’re asking when best to visit Zanzibar on a budget, the wetter months are cheaper, but you’ll need to be flexible about the weather.
A few practical tips
- Check the tide times before you plan your beach day, especially on the east coast.
- Pack reef shoes if you’re staying east or southeast.
- Dress modestly away from the resort beaches. Zanzibar is mostly Muslim, and it’s polite to cover shoulders and knees in villages and Stone Town.
- Book early for the dry seasons. The popular beaches fill up.
- Split your stay if you can. A few nights in the north and a few in the east gives you the best of both.
FAQ
Which Zanzibar beach is best for swimming? Nungwi and Kendwa in the north, because the tide has less effect there and you can swim for most of the day.
Is the east coast worth visiting? Yes, if you like quiet beaches, village life, kitesurfing and sunrise. Just plan your swimming around high tide.
Can I walk from Nungwi to Kendwa? Yes. They’re only a few kilometres apart and you can walk along the beach, especially at low tide.
Ready to see the reef?
If you’re staying in the north, come and walk on the sea floor with us. Message us on +255 778 619 627, email info@zanzibar-seawalk.com, or find us at Double A Beach Hotel, Nungwi.
