Kiwengwa and Matemwe at a glance
Kiwengwa and Matemwe lie on the north east coast of Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. Kiwengwa sits on a stretch of clear, shallow water and pale sand. Matemwe is a beach destination where boat trips to the Mnemba reefs are offered. The two places are not the same, so check which one your accommodation or tour actually refers to.
Most people come for the beach and then add a boat day. Our overview of Mnemba snorkeling trips explains what the reef excursion involves and what it costs.
Kiwengwa: the beach and the tide
The north east coast has pronounced low tide flats, like Zanzibar's south east. When the water is out, reef and sand are exposed and the sea can sit a good distance from the shore. Tide heights differ from beach to beach, so use a tide table for the week and plan swims for the hours of higher water. Do not assume the water is the same depth on every day or at every beach.
Sea urchins live in the shallows around the archipelago. Reef shoes help when you walk across the flats. Swimming conditions at a particular beach are not guaranteed, so ask your host what the local conditions are on the day.
Pongwe and the forest behind the coast
Pongwe lies next to Kiwengwa and uses the same airport taxi fare, $50 per car. Behind the coast, patches of forest remain. The Zanzibar red colobus, a monkey found nowhere else in the world, lives in forest fragments as far as Kiwengwa and Pongwe, not only in Jozani. A 2017 count found 5,862 animals in total. For a visit, our Jozani Forest guide covers the best-known place to see them. Never touch or feed the monkeys.
When to go
January and February are relatively dry, and June to September is the drier part of the year. The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains from October to December, so a beach week in those months can see showers. Rain and wind change the sea state, which matters for boat trips to the reefs.
Our pick: reef snorkeling and sailing
The sail starts from Kiwengwa Beach and includes hotel pickup from anywhere on the island.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. 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.
Boat trips and tours from the north east coast
Mnemba reef snorkeling, dhow trips, spice farms and island days you can book from Kiwengwa and Matemwe, with live prices and availability.
Matemwe
Matemwe is a beach destination on the north east coast, and boat trips from here head out to the reefs around Mnemba. Mnemba itself is a private island, and landing is for guests of the island only, so a day trip means snorkeling over the reef from a boat. The Mnemba page explains fees and rules, including the marine conservation fee for visitors from outside East Africa, which is typically $10 in a regular protected area and $25 in a special zone (2026). Ask which rate applies to your trip and whether it is already in the price.
Matemwe is also a place to wander the beach at low tide, then swim when the water returns. The airport taxi costs $60 per car, one way, for up to 7 passengers (2026).
Planning notes for the north east
Practical points before you book.
Compare the two places
Kiwengwa and Matemwe are different beach towns on the same coast. Check the exact beach in any booking and the transfer fare, because they differ by $10.
Season
June to September is the drier part of the year. March to May brings the long rains and October to December the short rains. Our best time to visit page has the full picture.
Accommodation levy
Accommodation charges a daily infrastructure levy per person. The levy is $5 for 4 and 5 star places, $4 for 2 and 3 star places and $2 for the rest. Ask whether your booking includes it.
Health and night safety
Malaria risk exists all year on Zanzibar and Pemba, so ask your doctor about protection. The German Foreign Office advises against beach walks at night on Zanzibar.
Insurance
State travel insurance for Zanzibar costs $44 for adults and $22 for children (2026) and applies even if you hold a private policy.
Plan the rest of your trip
Nearby places and practical pages.
Kiwengwa and Matemwe: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Kiwengwa and Matemwe?
Both are on the north east coast. Kiwengwa's airport taxi fare is $50 per car and Matemwe's is $60 per car (2026). Boat trips to the Mnemba reefs are offered from Matemwe.
Can you swim at low tide on the north east coast?
At low water reef and sand flats lie open and the sea can be far from the shore. Swimming is easier at higher water, so check the tide table.
Can you land on Mnemba Island from Matemwe?
No. Mnemba is a private island, and landing is for guests of the island. Day trips snorkel over the reef from a boat.
Where can you see Zanzibar red colobus monkeys?
They live in Jozani Forest and in other forest fragments of Unguja, as far as Kiwengwa and Pongwe. Never touch or feed them.
Is there a marine fee for Mnemba reef trips?
Visitors from outside East Africa typically pay $10 in a regular protected area and $25 in a special zone (2026). Ask which rate applies to your trip and whether it is already in the price.