Beaches · Zanzibar · Tanzania
The best beaches in and near Zanzibar
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Moongateclimber, Public domain
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Nungwi (About 1 hour 15 minutes north of Stone Town). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
About 1 hour 15 minutes north of Stone Town · Swimming and sunsets
1.Nungwi
Northern beaches swimmable at most tides, with dhow builders, beach bars and sunsets.
About 1 hour 15 minutes north of Stone Town · Families and all-day swimming
2.Kendwa
Wide, sandy and swimmable at low tide, with resorts and sunset views.
About 1 hour south-east of Stone Town · Kitesurfing and a social scene
3.Paje
Shallow turquoise lagoon and white sand on the east coast, the island's kitesurfing hub.
About 1 hour 10 minutes south-east of Stone Town · Quiet stays and beach walks
4.Jambiani
Long, quiet beach with seaweed farms and fishing boats in the lagoon.
About 1 hour north-east of Stone Town · Snorkelling trips and peace
5.Matemwe
Long north-east beach facing Mnemba Atoll, with boutique lodges.
About 1 hour 15 minutes east of Stone Town · Couples and sunsets
6.Michamvi Pingwe
South-east peninsula with calm coves and sunset views over Chwaka Bay.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| February | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| April | 29°C (84°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| June | 27°C (81°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| July | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| August | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| September | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for beach, nightlife, first-timers and solo travellers
Nungwi
Nungwi, at the island's northern tip, has beaches that are less affected by tides than the east coast, so swimming is possible most of the day. The village is known for dhow building and sunsets over the sea, and a strip of hotels, dive centres and beach bars lines the shore. Boat trips to Mnemba Atoll leave from here.
- Good
- Swimming at most tides; Sunsets over the ocean; Dive centres and boat trips
- Watch out
- Busier and more developed; Beach vendors can be persistent
- Nearby
- Mnarani turtle aquarium, Kendwa, Mnemba Atoll
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Dala-dalas — shared minibuses and converted trucks — run from Darajani in Stone Town to villages across the island; cheap and slow, with stops on demand.
- Ferry — Fast ferries connect Stone Town with Dar es Salaam in about 2 hours, several times a day.
- Scooter — Scooters and cars can be rented, but roads have police checkpoints and rental and licensing rules apply; check requirements with the rental company.
- Boat — Boat trips leave from Stone Town's beach for Prison Island and the sandbanks, and from Nungwi, Kendwa and Matemwe for Mnemba Atoll.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in January–February and June–October. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Check your own government's travel advice before travel. Common issues are persistent beach vendors and unofficial guides, petty theft from bags left on the beach, and sea urchins and strong currents on the reefs; avoid walking alone on unlit beaches at night, and seek medical advice on malaria prevention before you go. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Zanzibar have beaches?
Yes: Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe and Michamvi Pingwe.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Zanzibar?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Zanzibar?
Nungwi: Northern beaches swimmable at most tides, with dhow builders, beach bars and sunsets.