Choosing your coast
The north of the island, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has the smallest tides, so you can swim at any time of day, along with lively beach bars and spectacular sunsets over the sea. The east coast, from Matemwe down to Paje and Jambiani, is quieter, with wide beaches and a large tidal range: at low tide the water retreats hundreds of metres, revealing lagoons and seaweed farms, and the steady winds make Paje one of Africa’s best kitesurfing spots.
For snorkelling and diving, Mnemba Atoll off the northeast coast has some of the clearest water and healthiest reefs around the island, with turtles and dolphins often seen on the way.
Stone Town, spices and culture
Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of narrow alleys, coral-stone houses, mosques, markets and ornate wooden doors. A guided walk covers the old slave market, the House of Wonders and the Forodhani Gardens night food market, where grilled seafood and Zanzibar pizza are cooked over charcoal at sunset.
Spice farm tours show how cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and pepper are grown, the crops that once made Zanzibar famous. Jozani Forest, in the centre of the island, is home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else on Earth.
When to go and practical tips
The best weather is from June to October, when it is dry and breezy, and from December to February, when it is hot and calm. The long rains in April and May bring heavy showers and some hotels close; November has shorter rains.
Zanzibar is a mainly Muslim island, so cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages. Visitors must hold Zanzibar’s mandatory inbound travel insurance, and hotels charge a small tourist levy per night; check the current rules before you travel.
Questions travelers ask
How do you get from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
By scheduled light aircraft. Flights connect Serengeti airstrips, Lake Manyara, Arusha and Kilimanjaro with Zanzibar in about one to two hours, so you can finish a game drive in the morning and be on the beach that afternoon.
Which part of Zanzibar is best for swimming?
The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has the smallest tides, so the sea is swimmable all day. The east coast has bigger tides that expose wide lagoons at low water.
How many days should you spend in Zanzibar?
Three to five nights is ideal: enough for a Stone Town and spice tour plus a few days of real rest on the beach.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
June to October and December to February. April and May are the long rains, when some hotels close.
