Where to stay in Zanzibar at a glance
On Zanzibar the coast you pick shapes your stay more than the property does. The north, the north-east, the south-east and the west each have a different beach, a different tide pattern and a different mix of villages. Decide what you want from the sea first, then choose the area, then the room.
This page names areas, not properties. It does not rank hotels or quote room prices. If you are also planning your days, browse Zanzibar excursions and boat trips to see which coast puts them closest to your door.
Zanzibar by coast
What each area is like for a stay.
| Coast | Places | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| North | Nungwi, Kendwa | Nungwi sits on the northern tip and has a boat-building tradition. The bathing area here tends to dry out less far at low tide than elsewhere. That does not make it tide-free or always safe for swimming. |
| North-east | Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Pongwe | Wide flats are exposed at low water, so swimming time follows the tide. |
| South-east | Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu | Wide reef and lagoon flats dry out at low tide. Kite and swim times follow the daily tide table. |
| Michamvi | Michamvi peninsula | Its own area. The shores of the peninsula face different directions, so do not treat it as one bay. |
| West | Mangapwani, the town side | The harbour waterfront and single western beaches are not the same. Do not assume general bathing near the old town. |
If swimming at different tides matters, start your search in the north. If you kitesurf, base yourself on the south-east coast. Read the area guides for Nungwi and Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani and Kiwengwa and Matemwe.
Zanzibar excursions from every coast
Boat trips, snorkeling and day tours around the island, with live prices and availability.
Zanzibar all inclusive: what to check
All inclusive means different things from one stay to the next. Before you book, ask which meals and drinks are covered, whether excursions and airport transfers are part of the rate and how many days the offer covers. Ask whether the accommodation levy is in the price or paid on arrival.
Because the sea changes with the tide, ask what you can do at low water. On the east coast the lagoon can drain, so a stay with a pool may suit you better than the beach alone.
Zanzibar resorts, guesthouses and special stays
A resort and a village guesthouse differ in how they handle the same coast. Compare the sea access at low tide, the distance to a village and to transport, and what the rate includes. Seaweed farms off the south-east coast are working areas and not open sights, so ask before you walk onto one.
Mnemba is a private island. Its own guests can land there, but day visitors on public boat trips snorkel at the reefs around it. Small-island stays and underwater rooms carry a higher levy, as the table below shows.
Accommodation levy in Zanzibar
A per-person, per-day charge by category. Amounts as of 2025.
| Accommodation | Levy per person per day |
|---|---|
| 4 or 5 stars | $5 or the TZS equivalent |
| 2 or 3 stars | $4 or the TZS equivalent |
| 1 star and others | $2 or the TZS equivalent |
| Accommodation on a small island within Zanzibar | $10 or the TZS equivalent |
| Underwater room | $10 or the TZS equivalent |
Some hotels charge $1 to $5 by class and $10 only for underwater rooms. Rates can change, so ask your accommodation which amount applies to your booking, whether it is already in the room rate and how it treats children.
Choosing your base
Match the coast to the trip.
For swimming at different tides
Start with the north, where the bathing area tends to dry out less far. Check the day's tide before you plan a swim anywhere.
For kitesurfing
The south-east coast around Paje has the wind windows that kiters look for. Windows are typical, not daily guarantees.
Best time to visit →For quiet village stays
Villages on the east coast reward a slower pace. Ask about the walk to the water at low tide.
For airport and day-trip access
Check the transfer time from the airport for the coast you choose. Distance changes your first and last day.
Zanzibar airport and transfers →Plan the rest of your trip
Beaches and timing.
Zanzibar hotels: frequently asked questions
Which coast suits a first stay?
That depends on what you want. The north suits swimming at different tides, the south-east suits kitesurfing, and the north-east and east suit quiet villages. Read the area guides before you choose.
Is there a hotel tax in Zanzibar?
Yes. A per-person, per-day infrastructure levy applies: $5 for 4 or 5 stars, $4 for 2 or 3 stars, $2 for 1 star and others, and $10 for small islands and underwater rooms. Some hotels charge $1 to $5. Ask your accommodation.
What should an all-inclusive stay include?
It varies. Ask which meals and drinks are covered, whether transfers and excursions are included and whether the accommodation levy is in the price.
Can I stay on Mnemba Island?
Mnemba is a private island, and landing there is for its own guests. Public trips visit the reefs around it.
Is the accommodation levy included in the room rate?
Not always. Ask your accommodation whether it is in the rate or paid on arrival, and how it treats children.