North
Nungwi
Swimming at any tide, sunsets, restaurants
At the northern tip the sea stays deep enough to swim at low tide. Dhow builders work on the sand and the beach faces west, so sunsets are spectacular. It is the liveliest part of the island.
Zanzibar & the Tanzanian coast
Zanzibar Beach Holidays
White sand, warm Indian Ocean water and a short flight from the Serengeti. We help you choose the right beach for you and plan it as one trip with your safari.
- From the SerengetiAbout 1.5 hours by air
- Sea temperature26–29 °C all year
- Best monthsJune–October and December–February
- Ideal stay4–5 nights after a safari
Why end your safari on Zanzibar
After days of early game drives, a few nights by the sea is the easiest way to slow down. Zanzibar is a short scheduled flight from Arusha, Kilimanjaro or the Serengeti airstrips, so there is no long transfer between the bush and the beach.
The island is more than its beaches. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has carved doors, spice markets and an evening food market by the sea. Inland you can walk through spice farms and Jozani Forest, home of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey found nowhere else.
Every coast has a different character. The north has beaches you can swim at all day; the east coast has wide tidal lagoons and quiet villages; the south-east is the kitesurfing coast. Choosing the right one makes a real difference, so we start there.
Choose your beach
Tides on Zanzibar are strong on the east coast and gentle in the north. Here is how the main beaches compare.
North-west
Kendwa
Calm water, couples, sunsets
Just south of Nungwi, Kendwa has the same swimmable water with a quieter, wider beach. A good choice for honeymooners who want sunsets and an easy walk to restaurants.
North-east
Matemwe
Peace and quiet, snorkelling and diving
A fishing village with a long, empty beach and a strong tide that uncovers the reef at low water. Matemwe is the closest beach to Mnemba Atoll, the island’s best snorkelling and diving.
East
Kiwengwa & Pongwe
Resorts, families, reef views
Bright white sand and turquoise lagoons with several larger resorts. The tide goes far out, leaving rock pools to explore; swimming is best around high tide.
South-east
Paje
Kitesurfing, young travellers
Wide, flat sand and steady trade winds make Paje one of the best kitesurfing spots in East Africa, especially from June to September and December to February.
South-east
Jambiani
Village life, a slower pace
A long village beach where women farm seaweed in the shallow lagoon. Small lodges, local restaurants and very few crowds.
South-east peninsula
Michamvi
Sunsets on the east coast, The Rock
A narrow peninsula with a calm bay facing west for sunsets, and the famous Rock restaurant on its coral outcrop nearby.
Safari & beach trips
Sample itineraries that combine the northern parks with Zanzibar. Every one can be changed to suit your dates and budget.
Honeymoon Safari Romantic 
Beach & Island Popular 8-Day Zanzibar & Northern Tanzania Safari
Zanzibar (2) · Tarangire National Park · Central Serengeti (2) · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Eyasi
Great Migration Popular 8-Day Fly-In Serengeti Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Zanzibar (3) · Serengeti National Park (2) · Karatu · Lake Eyasi
Beach & Island Popular 10-Day Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar: Serengeti, Dolphins & Spice
Arusha · Tarangire National Park · Central Serengeti (3) · Zanzibar (3) · Stone Town
Wildlife Safari Popular 11-Day Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Arusha · Tarangire National Park · Central Serengeti (2) · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · Zanzibar (3) · +1 more
When to go to Zanzibar
Zanzibar is warm all year. The main difference is rain.
- JanBest time
- FebBest time
- MarGood
- AprRainy
- MayRainy
- JunBest time
- JulBest time
- AugBest time
- SepBest time
- OctBest time
- NovGood
- DecBest time
June to October
Dry, sunny and slightly cooler, with fresh sea breezes. The most popular time, and it lines up perfectly with the Great Migration in the Serengeti.
December to February
Hot, dry and calm, with clear water for snorkelling and diving. A lovely time for a safari and beach trip around the calving season.
March to May
The long rains. Showers can be heavy and some lodges close in April and May, but prices are lower and the island is very quiet.
November
The short rains bring brief afternoon showers. Still a good time to travel, with fewer visitors.
Things to do on Zanzibar
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Snorkel at Mnemba Atoll
Clear water, coral gardens and often dolphins on the boat ride out. Best from the north-east coast.
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Explore Stone Town
Narrow lanes, carved doors, the Old Fort and the evening food market in Forodhani Gardens.
-
Walk through a spice farm
See and taste cloves, cardamom, vanilla and nutmeg, the spices that made Zanzibar famous.
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Meet the red colobus in Jozani Forest
A short walk among the island’s endemic monkeys and through the mangrove boardwalk.
-
Sail a dhow at sunset
A traditional wooden boat, a calm sea and the sun setting over the water.
-
Visit Prison Island
A short boat ride from Stone Town to meet the giant Aldabra tortoises.
Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar
Spend at least half a day in Stone Town. Our guides take you through the old Arab and Swahili houses, the former slave market and the busy Darajani market, and you finish at Forodhani Gardens as the food stalls open at dusk. Many guests stay a night here before or after the beach.
Zanzibar beach holiday questions
How many nights should I spend on Zanzibar after a safari?
Four or five nights is ideal. It gives you time to rest, a day in Stone Town and one or two excursions. Three nights works if time is short.
Which Zanzibar beach is best for swimming?
Nungwi and Kendwa in the north, where the tide is gentle and you can swim at any time of day. On the east coast the sea goes far out at low tide.
How do I get from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
By a short scheduled flight from the Serengeti airstrips, Arusha or Kilimanjaro. We book the flights and your transfers so the journey is seamless.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzania visa covers it. Zanzibar does ask visitors to hold its own inbound travel insurance, which we arrange for you; we confirm the current entry rules when we send your proposal.
What should I wear on Zanzibar?
Swimwear is fine at your hotel and on the beach. Zanzibar is mostly Muslim, so in Stone Town and the villages cover your shoulders and knees.
Is Zanzibar good for families and honeymoons?
Yes. Families enjoy the calm northern beaches and the giant tortoises; couples love the sunsets of Kendwa and Michamvi and the quieter lodges of the east coast.
Ready for the beach?
Tell us your dates and we will suggest the right beach, lodge and safari to go with it, with a clear price within 24 hours.
Plan my beach holidayZanzibar beach holidays after a safari
Zanzibar beach holidays are the easiest way to end a safari: the flight from Arusha takes about an hour. The east coast has white sand and big tides, while the north has deeper water and sunsets. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth a night for its markets and old houses.
Our Zanzibar beach guide compares each coast in detail. You can add the island to any of our safari tours, or start with a safari and beach trip that already includes it. The Zanzibar page covers the seasons.
