Zanzibar is the intersection of African, Arabian, Persian and Indian cultures and as a melting pot of so many rich, textured ways of life, is a veritable feast for the senses. After you’ve explored the streets of Stone Town and discovered the island’s heady spices and food, we guarantee that hitting the best beaches in Zanzibar is your best bet!
The island is not very big, measuring roughly 100km in length, and only 40km across from west to east but it packs a punch as far as the best beaches go – fine white sand for miles, surrounded by picture-perfect turquoise waters and a skyline dotted with coconut palms and traditional dhows make Zanzibar’s beaches some of the most instagrammable and picturesque in the world! Come with us, as we take a closer look at some of the best beaches in Zanzibar – there’s something for every traveller, from snorkelling, diving and kite surfing to simply wallowing in the warm azure water.
Nungwi is renowned as one of the best beaches on the island. The sea, with various shades of blue, gently rolls onto a beach of fine white sand. The beach is overlooked by a number of hotels and backpackers, and is perfect for swimming. So when you’re all wrinkly from being in the water and have baked in the gorgeous sun for long enough, you can step off the beach and unwind with sundowners and continue to enjoy the view. The rock formations break up the scenery perfectly and add to the beauty of this magnificent beach.
Definitely the best beach on the western side of the island is Kendwa which is not too far away from Nungwi in the north. As with the other top beaches, the sand is white and fine, the water is azure blue and has the benefit of possibly being a little less visited by other beach lovers. Unlike Nungwi, Kendwa is a private beach, but is also ideal for swimming.
Looking across the bay to the picture perfect island of Mnemba, Matemwe beach is becoming more and more popular with visitors. Although during low tide you will have a bit of a walk to get to the deeper water for a swim, the scenery is spectacular, and during high tide, Matemwe is the ideal beach.
The small towns of Kiwengwa and Pongwe on the east coast offer more seclusion than some of the other areas. With exquisite beaches that are heavily influenced by the low tide, these areas are ideal for wallowing in the shallow water and unwinding with friends and family. Although Kiwengwa is a popular beach, Pongwe is less so due to its rocky sea bed.
This area is largely undeveloped and is the ideal spot for diving and snorkeling. When the tide is right, you may find that you have the beach all to yourself which is ideal for those seclusion seekers. The best way to make the most of this part of the island is to check the tides, plan your activities and take a walk to see what you can find.
From Bwejuu in the south to Dongwe further north, the beach seems to go on forever. White sand, turquoise water and the occasional fishing boat sets the scene. There are a number of hotels in these two areas and the beaches are ideal, for swimming, snorkeling and completely unwinding in paradise.
For thrill seekers, this is the place to try your hand at kite-surfing or sailing. Although not ideal for swimming at low tide, the beach is very beautiful and is the perfect place to catch some rays, relax in the shade, or visit one of the hotels for a meal and a drink or two.
Zanzibar has been a trading destination for hundreds of years with various nations laying eyes on its spectacular coastline. There’s no reason for you to come and go as quickly as they did though. Zanzibar is fast becoming a favourite holiday destination, mainly due to its spectacular beaches. Give your Flight Centre Consultant a call today to start the journey of a lifetime to some of the world’s best beaches.
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