Nungwi Beach and Kendwa: two beaches in the north
Nungwi is a coastal village at the northern tip of Unguja with a tradition of boat building. Kendwa is a separate beach on the northwest coast and should not be treated as part of Nungwi. In the north the swimming area tends to dry out less than on the east coast. That does not make the north tide free, and it does not make the water safe at every hour.
Both beaches work as a base for boat days. If you want a reef or dhow program, look at our Zanzibar snorkeling and boat tours, and check where each boat leaves, because the Mnemba reef boats are offered from the northeast coast.
Our pick: a private sunset dhow
A dhow for your own group fits the north coast, where the evenings are the draw.
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.
Nungwi and Kendwa: boat trips and day tours
Snorkel trips, dhow cruises and island day trips from the north of Zanzibar, with live prices and availability.
Nungwi Beach: what to expect
The village, the shore and the tide.
The village and the boats
Nungwi is known for traditional boat building. Wooden boats and outrigger canoes, the ngalawa, belong to the local scene. Ask before you photograph people at work.
Swimming and the tide
The bathing area in the north tends to dry out less, but ebb and flow still change the water. Check the tide table for the day and ask your accommodation where swimming is easiest at that hour. "Always safe to swim" is not a promise anyone can make.
Sea urchins
Sea urchins live in the archipelago's waters. Wear reef shoes in shallow water and on rocks.
At night
German travel advice for 2026 asks visitors not to walk along the beaches at night in Zanzibar. Take a taxi in the evening instead of walking back along the shore.
Is Zanzibar safe? →Kendwa Beach: the northwest coast
A separate beach, a separate plan.
Kendwa lies on the northwest coast and has its own sand and its own water, so check conditions there separately. Evenings on the shore are a common plan, but a sunset is never guaranteed. Clouds and the rainy seasons can hide it, so keep the evening flexible.
Kendwa is covered by the same airport taxi fare as Nungwi, $65 per taxi one way in 2026. Both are far from the airport compared with Stone Town, which costs $15 on the same list, so allow time for the transfer on arrival and departure days.
Getting to Nungwi and Kendwa from the airport
Typical taxi fares for 2026.
| From the airport to | Per taxi, one way | In shillings |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Town | $15 | TZS 40,000 |
| Nungwi or Kendwa | $65 | TZS 173,000 |
| Matemwe | $60 | TZS 160,000 |
| Paje | $50 | TZS 133,000 |
The fares are for 1 to 7 passengers per taxi and not an official meter tariff. The shilling values depend on the exchange rate. For most travelers who land and go straight to the north, the airport taxi counter or an online booking at a fixed fare is the simplest option.
Where to stay in Nungwi and Kendwa
What to ask before you book a room.
Pick the beach first
Nungwi and Kendwa are different beaches, so decide which one you want before you compare rooms. Ask how far the room is from the water and how you reach it at high and low tide.
The accommodation levy
A levy per person and day applies: $5 for 4 and 5 star hotels, $4 for 2 and 3 star hotels, $2 for 1 star and other lodging, and $10 for lodging on a small island and for underwater rooms. Some places charge as little as $1. Ask whether it is in your rate.
Insurance and entry
Visitors need the state travel insurance ($44 for adults, $22 for children) and a visa; the eVisa for a single entry costs $50 and is valid up to 90 days.
Visa and insurance →When to go to Nungwi and Kendwa
Rain, wind and the evening.
The long rains (Masika) run from March to May and the short rains (Vuli) from October to December. January and February are relatively dry, and June to September is the drier part of the year. Mean air temperature at the Zanzibar station lies between 25.2 °C in August and 28.5 °C in January and February (normals 1991–2020). For wind and the season by purpose, see the best time to visit page.
If your plan includes the reef trips of the northeast coast or the dhow days in the south, compare the other coasts before you fix a base, because moving between coasts takes a full transfer.
Nungwi and Kendwa: frequently asked questions
Is Nungwi Beach good for swimming?
The bathing area in the north tends to dry out less, but ebb and flow still change the water, and no beach is safe at every hour. Check the tide table and ask where you stay.
What is Kendwa Beach?
Kendwa is a separate beach on the northwest coast, not part of Nungwi. It has its own sand and water.
How much is a taxi from the airport to Nungwi?
A taxi costs $65 per taxi, one way, for 1 to 7 passengers (or TZS 173,000, 2026). The same fare applies to Kendwa.
Can I count on a sunset?
No. Clouds and the rainy seasons can hide it. Keep the evening flexible.
Are there boat trips from Nungwi?
The Mnemba reef boats are offered from the northeast coast. For any boat trip, ask where it leaves and whether a transfer from Nungwi is included.