Zanzibar beaches: five coasts, five different days
Zanzibar has no single beach type. The north has Nungwi and Kendwa, the northeast has Matemwe, Kiwengwa and Pongwe, the southeast has Paje, Jambiani and Bwejuu, Michamvi is a coast of its own, and the west has Mangapwani and the town side. Tides decide how much of the sea you can use at a given hour, so read the coast first and the hotel second.
On the east coast the reef and algae flats are exposed at low tide. In the north the swimming area tends to dry out less, but no beach here should be called tide free or always safe to swim. If you want activities as well, compare our Zanzibar snorkeling and dhow tours, since boat days start from specific coasts.
Zanzibar beaches by coast compared
Tides, character and the airport taxi fare (per taxi, one way, 1 to 7 passengers, 2026).
| Coast | Places | What to know about the tide | Airport taxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Nungwi, Kendwa | Nungwi sits at the northern tip; the bathing area tends to dry out less here, but there is still ebb and flow | $65 (TZS 173,000) |
| Northeast | Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Pongwe | Large exposed flats at low water; boats to the Mnemba reefs leave from this coast | $60 Matemwe, $50 Kiwengwa and Pongwe |
| Southeast | Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu | Wide reef and lagoon areas dry out at low tide; plan swimming and kiting by the tide | $50 Paje, $65 Jambiani |
| Michamvi | Michamvi peninsula | The shores face different directions, so there is no single bay | $70 |
| West | Mangapwani, Stone Town side | Harbor shore and beach bays are not the same; there is no general swimming clearance for Stone Town | $15 Stone Town |
For most first-time visitors who want to swim at more times of the day, the north is the easier start. Choose the southeast if you want kitesurfing or the look of the wide flats, and accept that the water moves out with the tide.
Our pick: a sunset dhow cruise
A guided evening trip off the northern beaches is an easy way to see Nungwi and Kendwa from the water.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Beach days and boat trips in Zanzibar
Snorkel trips, dhow cruises, island visits and sunset trips from the coasts, with live prices and availability.
Best beaches in Zanzibar: what suits whom
A selection by what you want to do, not an objective ranking.
Nungwi and Kendwa for swimming and evenings
Nungwi is at the northern tip and is known for traditional boat building. Kendwa is a separate beach on the northwest coast. Both have their own page.
Nungwi and Kendwa →Paje for kitesurfing
The reef shapes a shallow lagoon, and the depth follows the tide. The southeast trade wind (Kusi) typically blows from about mid-June to mid-October and the northeast wind (Kaskazi) from the end of December to mid-March. Not every day has wind.
Paje →Jambiani for a village beach
Jambiani is a village on the southeast coast with seaweed farms, which are working areas and not open sights. The commercial seaweed industry began on this coast in 1989 and has been carried largely by women.
Jambiani →Matemwe and Kiwengwa for boats to Mnemba
Matemwe is a beach on the northeast coast, and boat trips to the Mnemba reefs are offered from here.
Kiwengwa and Matemwe →Michamvi and the west
Michamvi is its own coastal area with differently facing shores. The west has Mangapwani, where history is part of the visit.
Tides, seaweed and sea urchins
The practical side of a beach day.
Tides
On the east coast the flats can reach far out at low water. Check the tide table for the day, because swimming, kiting and boat departures depend on it. No beach has a fixed daily swimming hour.
Seaweed is not seagrass
Seaweed farms, natural underwater plants and washed-up plant material are three different things. It changes from shore to shore and day to day, so ask your accommodation about the current state of the beach.
Sea urchins
Sea urchins live in the waters of the archipelago. Wear reef shoes in shallow water and on flats, and do not step on rock or coral.
Safety on the beach
German travel advice for 2026 asks visitors not to walk along the beaches at night in Zanzibar. There are no general beach tickets or lifeguard hours to rely on, so ask your hotel about access, parking and supervision.
Is Zanzibar safe? →Season
The long rains (Masika) run from March to May and the short rains (Vuli) from October to December. Mean air temperature is lowest in July and August (25.3 and 25.2 °C) and highest in January and February (28.5 °C).
Best time to visit →Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go next.
Zanzibar beaches: frequently asked questions
What are the best beaches in Zanzibar?
It depends on what you want. The north (Nungwi, Kendwa) suits swimming and evenings, the southeast (Paje, Jambiani) kitesurfing and wide flats, and the northeast (Matemwe, Kiwengwa) the boats to Mnemba. The comparison above is a selection, not a ranking.
Can I swim at any time of day?
No. The tide changes how much water you have, especially on the east coast. The north tends to dry out less, but it is not tide free and not always safe to swim.
Is there seaweed on the beaches?
Seaweed farms exist on the east coast, and washed-up plant material can come ashore. It has no fixed season, so ask where you stay.
How far are the beaches from the airport?
Typical airport taxi fares are $50 to Paje and Kiwengwa, $60 to Matemwe, $65 to Nungwi, Kendwa and Jambiani, and $70 to Michamvi, per taxi and one way. Stone Town is $15.
Do I need reef shoes?
They help. Sea urchins live in the waters of the archipelago.