The beautiful Tanzanian island of Zanzibar has a lot to offer: impressive culture, fascinating history, and interesting religion.
In this little paradise, you’ll never be bored – and our Charlie’s Angel Claudy can certainly vouch for that. She has been living on this tropical island since 2017 and is still loving it. The island covers 1,666 km², and if you want to drive from the northernmost to the southernmost point, you’ll be spending a few hours in a hot car or a dala-dala (local minibus) with sticky armpits.
The upside? There’s plenty to explore on this island! The downside? The choice of beaches is overwhelming, and if your time is limited, it can feel like a game of eeny, meeny, miny, moe. No, ticking off all the beaches in one weekend is nearly impossible, and choosing just one is no easy task either.
Insider Claudy is here to help and will guide you through the differences between the beaches in the north, east, south, and west. Which one is the best?
1. North Coast: Nungwi Beach & Kendwa Beach
The northernmost tip of Zanzibar: this is where tourism on the island first began, and it’s evident in everything. The number of hotels, tourists, beach boys, and restaurants is noticeably higher than in other parts of the island. And for good reason! The beach here is stunning, and the sea is so blue it almost looks artificial. A major advantage of this beach is that the tide doesn’t recede as far during low tide, meaning you can take a dip all day long. Want to visit this beach but avoid as many sunbathing tourists as possible? Then go during the low season!
2.South Coast: Kizimkazi Beach
At the southernmost tip, you’ll find Kizimkazi. Known as a fishing village, Kizimkazi is the best place to spot dolphins! These two activities already give you an idea of what the coastline looks like—lots of fishing boats coming and going, a bustling pier, and plenty of fishing nets, all accompanied by the strong scent of fresh fish. But don’t worry, even for those who aren’t seasoned sailors, this place is a great spot to relax. Most hotels here have perfectly maintained private beaches, making it easy to feel like you’ve landed on a secluded, tropical paradise.
Kizimkazi is known as a fishing village and is the best place to spot dolphins!
3. West Coast: Stone Town Beach
Stone Town, my hometown, is a fairytale-like town where you can endlessly lose yourself in a maze of historic alleyways and coral stone houses. But of course, we're talking about beaches here! Unfortunately, this beach doesn’t do Zanzibar justice… Due to all the water activities and the nearby harbour, the water isn’t clear and looks rather dirty—not my favourite spot for a refreshing swim.
However, what’s great about Stone Town Beach is that, after midday, many locals gather to teach each other how to swim, while others show off by performing backflips into the ocean from Forodhani Market. The beach is also a popular spot for a good workout. So, there's plenty to see, but if you're looking for a stunning beach, this isn’t the one.
4. East Coast: Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, Paje & Jambiani
Jambiani, my former home, is the cherry on my cake: my favourite! But Jambiani is just one of the many dreamy beaches along the east coast. The advantage is that they are all close to each other, so you can easily switch it up. One thing they all have in common is that there are high and low tides twice a day. During low tide, you have to walk quite far to reach a depth where you can actually swim—sometimes more than a kilometre! However, this does create a stunning view. You can check the tide times online to know when it's better to swim in the pool and when to take a dip in the sea. If you like an active beach holiday with a bit of variety, the east coast is highly recommended. The beaches are strategically located in the middle of the east coast and are easily accessible via the island's road network.
5. Jambiani: go now before it’s too late!
If you’re interested in Charlie’s Travels, it’s probably because of your desire for the unknown; your love for off-the-beaten-track adventures! Jambiani is the least touristy and, therefore, the least affected by mega hotels. Many palm trees still stand tall along the beach, and you won’t be bothered by beach boys. The other villages, on the other hand, offer more restaurants and a greater variety of hotels.
Zanzibar is developing rapidly, with hotels popping up like mushrooms. Our prediction? In about five years, Jambiani might well become one of the island’s major tourist hotspots. That’s why I say: experience Jambiani
now, in all its raw glory!
6. Hidden Gem: Michamvi Sunset Beach
In the southeastern corner of Zanzibar lies the Michamvi Peninsula. Because it sits in a bay, it offers a stunning sunset every evening! The sea here is very shallow, and during high tide, it feels like a wonderfully warm bath you can soak in. This beach is different from the rest of the island—the sand is so white, fine, and soft that you won’t find anything like it anywhere else! However, the sand is so fine that it can be tricky to get out of your towel.
The relaxed vibe, a charming beach bar, the stunning beach, and a romantic sunset make Michamvi by far my favourite beach! It’s even worth visiting just for one evening!
The sea at Michamvi Beach is very shallow, and during high tide, it feels like a wonderfully warm bath where you can float around and relax!
Reflect your respect
The vast majority (98%) of Zanzibar’s population strongly follows Islam, which makes the local people quite conservative. Of course, tourists have been visiting the island for decades, and you won’t find many locals on the beaches. However, if you decide to visit a village or take a village tour, dressing
respectfully is highly appreciated. This doesn’t mean that women need to wear long dresses, but you’ll notice that locals really value it when both men and women cover their shoulders and knees.
Also heading to the beaches of Zanzibar?
Are you tempted to experience these tropical beaches for yourself and curious about what else Tanzania has to offer? Read
here about all the incredible things you can discover in this beautiful country. And don’t miss Charlie’s latest Tanzania adventures—check out Africa Inside Out’s third chapter:
Northern Tanzania!
