Zanzibar Beach Experiences | Activities, Attractions & Beach Safaris

Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago, offers an idyllic location for romantic beach getaways or honeymoon Vacations. Discover the captivating islands of Zanzibar and indulge in thrilling beach experiences. Not only will you discover a serene ambiance, but you will also have the chance to indulge in a secluded Zanzibar beach experience on the pristine sandy shores, adorned with palm trees and surrounded by lush flora.

Zanzibar’s exquisite beaches reach their peak beauty during the dry season, which spans from June to October and features temperatures ranging from 28 to 34 degrees. This temperature will captivate you with the soothing warmth of the waves in the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar experiences a significant influx of tourists during this period, which may result in the island becoming densely populated. The brief precipitation in November and December is a component of the rainy season, which is generally characterized by lower levels of congestion and tourism compared to the prolonged rainfall occurring from March to May.

The pristine Zanzibar Island is one of Tanzania’s best destinations to ever visit on your safari to the country. From the name that is evocative – romantic, almost as the spices that made this Indian Ocean archipelago a global success story centuries ago with the endless shimmering beaches, lapping waves, and long, lazy sunsets viewed preferably from a hammock, this may sound familiar to many but amazing.

The island is blessed with ornate Omani imperial architecture with a vibrant Islamic religion and culture. The island is made up of long pristine beaches with the purest sand.  To fully explore the sultry Indian Ocean Island, may require digging a little deeper.

The street of the stone town with the mystical, old-world charms and exotic mix of Arabic, African, and European influence will blow your mind. The Stone Town is the historical and cultural heart of the pristine Island. While on the island, you will see the tangled alleyways that are made for getting lost in and something is intriguing around every cobbled corner: gaze at the intricate doors and ornate mosques, barter for coffee from the local merchants, or uncover the ghosts of the past in a museum or two. Wow, what a wonderful experience!

One of the many things that Zanzibar is known for is its abundance of beaches. Below are the best Beaches in Zanzibar you should put on Your Bucket list;

• Kendwa Beach

Kendwa Beach is often regarded as the finest beach in Zanzibar and is located on the northwestern coast of Unguja island in Zanzibar. Kendwa Beach is ideal for many water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, and sunbathing. This beach offers a truly remarkable and distinctive experience due to its unchanging ocean tides, setting it apart from other beaches in Zanzibar. It is a favorite among travelers for this reason. The stunning sight of the starfish is awe-inspiring during the snorkeling sport.

Make sure to schedule your safari in Zanzibar around the full moon party, which happens at Kendwa Beach and is considered one of the top full moon parties in the world. The party is held at the Kendwa Rocks Hotel once a month.

• Nungwi Beach

If you’re on your solo trip to Zanzibar, Nungwi Beach is the perfect spot to hang out and meet residents. Among the many other things this beach offers, swimming, sunset cruises, skydiving, snorkeling, swimming with turtles, and many more are quite popular.

• Matamwe beach

Most of the snorkeling events take place on Matamwe Beach, which is well-known. Snorkeling activities will allow you to view the Dolphins, turtles, Indo-pacific sergeant, many more sea life, and more importantly This beach has many sea life since fishing in this area is not permitted.

• Pwani Mchangani beach

Well-known for its kiteboarding activities, Pwani Mchangani Beach is situated in northern east Zanzibar. Along with diving, swimming, tanning, and game fishing can all take place on his beach.

• Kiwengwa beach

Located in the eastern section of Zanzibar, Kiwengwa Beach is the longest and whitest beach on the island. Since most tourists come from Italy, the beach is frequently referred to as “little Italy” because of this. Italy is a popular tourist destination with many hotels and resorts.

• Uroa beach.

Uroa Beach offers a less crowded environment compared to the more renowned beaches in Zanzibar, allowing guests to have a more private experience. This beach is perfect for individuals seeking relaxation and tranquility, regardless of whether they plan to stay overnight at the hotel or merely take a leisurely walk along the shoreline.

• Pongwe Beach

Pongwe Beach is located on the eastern coast of Zanzibar Island, and is renowned for its tranquil ambiance and breathtaking sunrises. It is positioned between Kiwengwa and Uroa. Guests may enjoy the peacefulness and natural beauty of the area since the beach is significantly less crowded compared to other well-known beaches in Zanzibar.

Newlyweds often choose the nearby Pongwe Bay Resort for its oceanfront rooms, lush gardens, and wide range of amenities, including an outdoor pool, spa, and private beach.

• Michamvi-Kae Beach

Michamvi-Kae Beach is situated on the western shore of the Michamvi Peninsula, which is positioned to the east of Zanzibar. The beach offers a scenic view of Chwaka Bay. In the following discussion, we will focus on the eastern part of the Michamvi Peninsula, namely the renowned Michamvi-Pingwe Beach, also known as Pingwe Beach.

While both beaches are commendable, Michamvi-Kae stands out as the superior choice due to its unique feature of offering a picturesque view of the sunset descending behind Zanzibar Island. Traveling from Stone Town to Michamvi-Kae can be somewhat inconvenient, as it may take up to two hours. Despite the reduced number of visitors and the resulting tranquil beach atmosphere, the effort is nevertheless rewarding.

• Pingwe, Dongwe and Bwejju Beaches

For those in need of a peaceful and isolated getaway, Zanzibar’s southeastern coast is home to the quiet beaches of Pingwe, Dongwe, and Bwejuu. With its tranquil and easygoing village atmosphere, Bwejuu provides opportunities for seclusion while being close to major tourist destinations. At low tide, you may enjoy a variety of water sports and discover tiny marine creatures along Dongwe, which is bordered by beautiful palm trees and charming beach cottages.

Famous for its culinary adventures, Pingwe is located near a spice farm that grows ginger, chili, vanilla, and lemongrass. One must-visit establishment is the Rock restaurant. There is less development here, so tourists may get a better feel for the Hakuna Matata vibe and learn about the native way of life up close and personal.

• Paje Beach

On Zanzibar’s peaceful eastern coast, Paje Beach is a secret gem with lovely white sands, turquoise water, and a lively food scene. People who love water sports will love Paje. The island is famous for being a great place to kite surf and scuba dive.

There are many places to stay and eat in the cute town right next to the beach. People who want to go to the beach but don’t want to deal with a lot of other people often choose Paje because of its peaceful setting. People who come to the village are asked to dress modestly and buy goods made in the village to support the people who live there.

• Jambiani Beach

Jambiani Beach, which is on the southeast coast of Zanzibar, is a beautiful and historically important place to go on holiday. It is known for its beautiful coral rock formations and powdery white sand beaches, making it a peaceful and picture-perfect place for a low-key beach holiday.

The beach is less crowded with tourists than its neighbor, Paje, so you can enjoy a more natural and leisurely experience. A charming town in Zanzibar called Jambiani is where tourists can enjoy real seafood dishes and get to know the lively culture and friendly people who live there. A stay in Jambiani is a great way to learn about the culture of the area, relax, and enjoy life at a pole pole (slow, slow) pace.

• Makunduchi Beach

Many tourists visiting Zanzibar are unaware that Makunduchi Beach is situated to the south of Jambiani. There are a limited number of accommodations and even fewer restaurants by the beach in Makunduchi. However, the town is located nearby and may offer more options.

If you desire relaxation, Makunduchi is the ideal destination for you. Bring over an enjoyable book and prepare to spend a significant amount of time here, undisturbed by the local youth. Travelers heading north on day excursions can experience a diverse range of noises and scenery. Meanwhile, individuals located in the southernmost part of the beach can easily get the Makunduchi Lighthouse either by bicycle or by walking. Furthermore, those situated just north of Makunduchi, in close proximity to Nganani town, have the opportunity to witness the renowned Giant Octopus Baobab Tree.

• Mtende Beach.

Mtende Beach is a secret gem that is on the southeast coast of Zanzibar. Because there aren’t any hotels nearby, beachgoers can enjoy peace and quiet away from the crowds and noise of other popular spots. The emerald-green water and beautiful white sands meet at Mtende Beach, which is famous for the dramatic rock shapes that surround it.

There are a lot of parking spots right behind the beach, and the road to the beach is well-kept, making it easy to get there. When the sea is low, you can enjoy the beach all to yourself. If you want to see more of the beach at high tide, you should go during low tide.

• Kizimkazi Beach

Kizimkazi Beach is a quiet, out of the way place in Zanzibar’s southern area that is famous for dhow boat rides and dolphin sightings. The big changes in tide levels make this beach not very popular with people who like to go to the beach. But for people who want to get away from it all and relax, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with nature and the local culture. Because there aren’t as many hotels and shops here, guests can really feel the “hakuna matata” philosophy while they enjoy Zanzibar’s natural beauty.

Kizimkazi is a place like no other because of its strange terrain and tall hills and rocks that let you see Zanzibar’s stunning beauty from a different angle. Since the area is out in the middle of nowhere, there is no manmade light to distract you while you look at the stars.

• Nakupenda Beach

The name of this spot is Nakupenda, and it’s not really a beach in the usual sense. It is famous for its beautiful white dunes and blue water that make Nakupenda an island that stands out from the rest. It is off the coast of Western Australia and only a fifteen-minute boat ride from Stone Town dock. It is a peaceful place that is easy for everyone to get to.

“Nakupenda” in Swahili means “I love you,” which is a great name for the beach because it’s so tempting. As people swim among the colorful coral reefs, local tour companies offer a wide range of snacks and drinks. To get the most out of Nakupenda, you should go at low tide, when the beach is just above the water. Even though the beach is busy, people who want to get away from everyone else and have a quiet time go early in the day.

Zanzibar’s best time for a beach Holiday can be seen through two different seasons, each with its own charm. The best season, which lasts from June to October, is marked by cooler weather and the dry beauty of spring. You could also go to the island between December and February, but the weather will likely be hot and dry. The island of Zanzibar in Tanzania is a great place to go on vacation because it has beautiful beaches with palm trees, warm weather, and stunning sunsets.

Traveling to Zanzibar and visiting the island during the dry season, which runs from July to September, is ideal. Still, most times of year are suitable for vacation since the temperature ranges from 28 to 34 degrees Celsius and there is sun.

Blue heavens usually follow brief rain showers much of November and December. April and May are when most of the heavy rain falls—that is, when it gets quite damp.

Zanzibar is a great island getaway thanks to its turquoise waters, white coral sand beaches, and easygoing island spirit. It is simple to understand why people appreciate it; there is plenty of sunshine and the weather is usually pleasant.

Take a Dhow Trip

The dhow trip at the sunset is amazing and must do in Zanzibar. The white sailed shows billowing across the horizon are best to experience the Ocean breeze. The sails are usually done on the traditional wooden boats that are found everywhere around the Island. Gliding up the coast at sunset is an unbeatable way to see the island in all its palm-fringed glory. 

During the sail to head northeast of the Island and float around the glorious Mnemba Atoll where you will enjoy the view of the sinking sun with a cocktail in hand will blow your mind.

Kite Surfing

Kite surfing – If the presence of some much-needed golden rays, a long white beach and burbling Turquoise Ocean makes you feel like you can take on anything, the best would be to take on the kite – surfing challenge. The experience is really thrilling and joyful on the long coastline and shallow bathtub warm waters in the eastern coast of Zanzibar.

Visiting the turtle project 

The turtle project was started in 1993, the project protects the Hawks-bill turtles and the Green turtles that are hunted for their patterned shells and Meat respectively. The project is a center of community education providing them with information such as the dangers of poaching of the beautiful creatures. The lust after the wildlife left behind on safari, you will relax by spending an afternoon with the endangered turtles at the Mnarani Project in Nungwi.

Spicy Garden Tours

A tour at the spicy Island is wonderful!! By the mere say of Zanzibar Island, many start thinking of the exotic moniker, however the spice Island also has a variety of fruits. Getting lowdown to the Island on a spice tour will offer you a great opportunity to explore the exotic  plantations dotted around the island, where cloves, nutmeg, lemongrass and black pepper grow next to jack-fruit, mango and the somewhat ‘fragrant’ Durian fruit – we’ll leave the verdict on that one up to you.

Scuba Diving

Diving in the deep Indian Ocean – the Mnemba Island is home to scuba – diving. Most travelers have not hesitated including it on their bucket list when planning their trip to the Island and it has been a great success to many. The Island has several diving schools that you will see during your trip. While there,  no bad place to dive in those balmy turquoise waters, we might have a favorite, and it goes by the name Mnemba Island. Just one sandy mile in circumference, the island is the epitome of beach bliss but what makes it even better is the protection zone that surrounds it, conserving coral reefs where clouds of tropical fish rub shoulders with Giant turtles and bottle-nose dolphins. Quick, grab your flippers!