Top 5 zanzibar beaches
Top 5 zanzibar beaches : The idyllic island of Zanzibar is located along the stunning East African coast. It is well known for its breathtaking beachfront that looks out over the Indian Ocean. These beaches rank among the best in all of Africa, making them a popular hangout and vacation destination for travelers. Even direct flights are now available from some European nations.
This vast collection of islands is situated 25 miles off Dar es Salaam, the primary point of entry for visitors from outside Tanzania. Despite being a part of Tanzania, Zanzibar has its own government and is a semi-autonomous country. Unguja and Pemba islands are the two largest islands in the Zanzibar archipelago. Unsurprisingly, Unguja is the biggest and most well-known.
Zanzibar offers a variety of wildlife viewing, historical tours, and culinary experiences in addition to its exotic beaches. The island is home to some of the most fascinating animals in the world, including coelacanths (a species thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs), red colobus monkeys, bottlenose dolphins, whale sharks, and bottlenose dolphins.
THE BEST BEACHES IN ZANZIBAR
For honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic getaway, Zanzibar is the ideal choice. But it also makes a wonderful vacation spot for family and friends because there are so many things to do there. The island offers a variety of watersports, including diving, snorkeling, and swimming with dolphins, as well as sunset sails in the local sailing dhow. Here are the top beaches in Zanzibar worth visiting in your holiday:
- KENDWA BEACH
This is considered as one of the best Zanzibar beach by many people who had a chance to visit. Restaurant lighting creates a romantic atmosphere, and there are cozy beach bars that are set up well. Swimming here is possible at any time of day because, unlike other beaches, it is not affected by high or low tide. It is the ideal environment for the ultimate beach-bum experience because it is not too windy or wave-filled. The beach at Kendwa has soft white sand, clear blue waters, and a breathtaking sunset.
Things to Do
Beach activities like soccer and volleyball enhance the already thrilling atmosphere of the beach. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving are all excellent activities in the clear waters. Also parties and a busy nightlife are common at Kendwa Beach. The majority of the lodging is thoughtfully situated in buildings apart from the restaurants, so that once inside, you are not disturbed by the parties below.
Who should visit?
Everyone will enjoy this beach, especially lone travelers looking to mingle. Families will love it too because there are lots of family-friendly activities available, like island tours. Although it’s not as quiet as the beaches nearby, unless you only want to hear the sounds of the wind, this beach has the ideal amount of laid-back atmosphere.
A wide range of lodging choices are available at Kendwa Beach to accommodate almost any style or price range. You can be sure to find something that suits your preferences, from more upscale luxury accommodations with all the bells and whistles to those with only basic amenities.
- PAJE BEACH
The exotic beach of Paje is situated on Zanzibar’s southeast coast. Although this area is more secluded and relaxed-feeling, it can be too windy. Additionally, the tide is low for the majority of the day.
What to do
If you’re interested in windsurfing, kitesurfing, or scuba diving, Paje Beach is the place to be. Although you can swim in the lukewarm water, you must make do with sunbathing when the tide is low. Dhow sailing and reef walks are additional options.
Who should visit?
Paje is a great location for couples on their honeymoon, lone travelers on an internal journey, and anyone seeking peace and quiet.
- BWEJUU BEACH
Just to the north of Paje is the seaweed fishing community of Bwejuu. By Zanzibar standards, it isn’t the best beach for swimming, but its allure comes from the surrounding natural beauty and distinct atmosphere. This beach excels as more of a retreat due to the cool evening breeze and sight of swaying palm trees. If you’re looking for a quiet place to think and decompress, Bwejuu Beach is a good choice.
Things to Do
If you’re staying at Paje, Bwejuu is a pleasant day trip that can be reached by a brief van ride. Swimming and snorkeling are also some of the most popular activities here. There are a few small, cozy bars where you can get a nice, cold beer or just relax in the sun without being bothered.
Who should visit?
Bwejuu, like Paje Beach, can be a wonderful getaway for newlyweds and anyone seeking peace and quiet. If you’re looking for a quieter, more private setting for introspection and don’t mind swimming on the algae-covered beach, this could be it. Make sure to make reservations in advance, because there didn’t seem to be as many lodging options here as there were in Kendwa or Paje.
- JAMBIANI BEACH
A sleepy fishing community called Jambiani can be found on Zanzibar’s southeast coast. With breathtaking views and the full spectrum of the ocean’s colors, the beach is quite spectacular. Jambiani could be the next best location to book tours of the island if you don’t intend to spend much time in Stone Town. Due to the shifting tides, it isn’t quite as good for swimming as Paje or Kendwa, but you can do other things at the beach besides swim.
Things to Do
Jambiani offers a wide variety of activities, including kitesurfing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and even blue safari tours, which transport you by boat to various sandbanks where you can swim in clear waters while relaxing and soaking up the sun. You can also stroll along the white sands and watch women gather seaweed when the tide is low. Additionally, you can purchase a beer from one of the lodging options that is elevated above the beach, giving you lovely sweeping views of the ocean that are equally impressive at low tide and high tide.
Who should visit?
All kinds of travelers will enjoy Jambiani. Jambiani Beach has a lot to offer if you’re interested in water sports or island adventures, as well as catering to those looking to spend a quiet and leisurely vacation without a lot of noise.
Options for Accommodation
At Jambiani, there is a wide range of lodging options, from inexpensive bungalows to more expensive boutique hotels. Some locations draw a younger crowd and can get quite loud at night, while other locations are ideal for families or couples.
- NUNGWI BEACH
More than 20 dive sites can be found at Nungwi Beach, which is situated at the northernmost point of Zanzibar. It is a faraway beach with fine white sand and azure water that is not affected by high and low tides. It’s ideal for nonstop swimming without having to chase the ocean. Another reason Nungwi Beach is well known is for its wild scene.
Things to Do
Swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving are all fantastic activities nearby. There are also beach sports like volleyball and soccer. One of the highlights is sailing in the dhow sailing boat and taking in the magnificent sunset. The Mnarani Turtle Conservation Park is located in the village’s center.
Who should visit?
Nungwi is a fantastic location for singles, couples, and groups of friends seeking exotic nightlife, parties, and social interaction. The beach is very similar to Kendwa but is more popular with younger people because of its active nightlife.
Accommodation Options
As a well-known beach resort town in Zanzibar, Nungwi has a wide selection of upscale all-inclusive resorts as well as more intimate hotel-style residences and bungalows. Many of the resorts in this area cater specifically to Italian tourists, who frequently fly directly from Italy and stay at their resort for their entire Zanzibar vacation. There aren’t many eateries with a local flavor in Nungwi. However, even though they might not be as inexpensive, the local cuisine served at hotels and lodges is generally quite good.
OTHER BEST BEACHES IN ZANZIBAR
Other Zanzibar beaches worth mentioning and visiting are listed below. These beaches are more picturesque and peaceful because they see fewer visitors. They may not have the best beach conditions, but they do get several hours of low tide. However, we believe that these would be fantastic choices for repeat visitors or those looking for other secluded getaway options.
- Pongwe beach
- Matemwe beach
- Kizimkazi beach
- Kiwengwa beach
- Michamvi beach
HOW TO GET TO ZANZIBAR
From Dar es Salaam, visitors can either fly or take a ferry to Zanzibar. The trip on the ferry costs about $30 and takes about three hours. You must pass through immigration in Zanzibar after arriving at the ferry terminal before beginning your tour, so make sure to pack your passport with the Tanzania visa. You can also obtain a visa on arrival in Zanzibar.
The price would be about $60 if you flew. Only a few kilometers separate Stone Town’s main city center from the Zanzibar International Airport. You can take a taxi after you arrive and start exploring the island. Flying from Arusha is an additional option, but it requires a very small aircraft with only 10 to 12 passengers. Additionally, there are direct flights from a number of European cities, including Belgium, Germany, and Italy.