Zanzibar’s got about 25 different beaches spread around the island, and the quality varies enormously. Some are absolutely stunning. Others are fine but nothing special. A few are genuinely disappointing once you factor in seaweed, tides, and crowds.
Here’s the honest rundown of the beaches actually worth your time.
Nungwi Beach
Up on the northern tip of the island, Nungwi’s probably Zanzibar’s most famous beach. And yeah, it lives up to the reputation.
The big selling point here is that Nungwi doesn’t get the dramatic tidal changes that plague the east coast. You can swim pretty much any time of day, which matters more than you’d think when you’re planning your holiday around actual water access.
The sand’s white and soft, the water’s that ridiculous turquoise colour that doesn’t look real in photos, and there’s decent snorkelling right off the beach. Sunset views are spectacular – you’re on the west-facing side, so you get the full show every evening.
Downsides? It’s busy. Properly busy during peak season. Beach vendors can be persistent, there are quite a few beach bars and restaurants (which you might see as a pro or a con depending on what you’re after), and the whole area’s pretty developed compared to quieter parts of the island.
If you want infrastructure, nightlife options, and guaranteed swimming regardless of tide times, Nungwi delivers. If you’re after solitude, look elsewhere.
Kendwa Beach
Just south of Nungwi – you can walk between them along the beach – Kendwa offers similar benefits with a slightly mellower vibe.
The beach itself is gorgeous. Wide stretch of white sand, clear water, minimal tidal variation so swimming’s always an option. It’s got the same stunning sunsets as Nungwi but with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere.
There’s a monthly full moon party that’s become quite popular, so if you’re around for that, expect things to get lively. The rest of the time, it’s noticeably quieter than its northern neighbour.
Kendwa strikes a nice balance – enough restaurants and accommodation options that you’re not stuck in the middle of nowhere, but not so developed that it feels overdone. Good middle ground for people who want some amenities without the full resort experience.
Paje Beach
Over on the east coast, Paje’s become the hub for kite surfers. The wind conditions are reliably excellent, there are multiple kite schools, and the whole area’s got a young, adventurous vibe.
Even if you’re not into kite surfing, the beach is stunning. Long stretches of white sand, turquoise water, and that classic palm-tree-lined shore. The tidal range is significant though – low tide exposes extensive sandbars and seaweed beds, which some people love exploring and others find disappointing.
The village itself has developed quite a bit in recent years with hostels, guesthouses, beach bars, and restaurants. It’s got more of a backpacker-meets-water-sports atmosphere than a luxury resort feel.
If you want to learn kite surfing or just hang out somewhere with decent energy and younger crowds, Paje’s excellent. If you’re after quiet relaxation and guaranteed swimming at all hours, the tides might frustrate you.
Jambiani Beach
Just south of Paje, Jambiani offers a quieter alternative with the same beautiful east coast setting.
The beach stretches for miles – genuinely one of the longest on the island – and outside the main village area, you can walk for ages without seeing many people. The sand’s white, dotted with palm trees, and the water’s beautiful when the tide’s in.
Low tide reveals extensive seaweed farms where local women harvest seaweed for export. Some tourists find this fascinating from a cultural perspective. Others just see it as seaweed blocking their ocean access. Your mileage will vary.
Jambiani village itself is more authentically local than some of the touristy beach areas. You’ll see traditional dhows, local fishing activity, and fewer resort developments. There are still plenty of accommodation options, but it feels less overtly touristic than Nungwi or Paje.
Good choice if you want beautiful beaches with a more genuine Zanzibari feel and don’t mind working around the tides.
Matemwe Beach
Northern east coast, Matemwe’s one of the quieter, more upmarket beach areas. It’s less developed than Nungwi or Paje, with more focus on boutique hotels and intimate guesthouses than party hostels.
The beach is lovely – white sand, clear water, palm trees, the whole tropical paradise aesthetic. Like all east coast beaches, it experiences significant tidal changes. Low tide exposes vast sandbars stretching hundreds of metres out, which creates interesting lagoon-like areas but means swimming isn’t always immediately accessible.
Matemwe’s appeal is the tranquility. It’s not particularly lively, there’s not much nightlife, and that’s entirely the point. People come here to properly disconnect and relax without constant activity and noise.
The village itself is small and authentic, and you can arrange various activities – snorkelling trips to Mnemba Atoll, diving, fishing expeditions, visits to nearby villages. But the main attraction is really just the peaceful beach setting.
Michamvi Peninsula
This narrow peninsula jutting out from the east coast includes several beaches, but Michamvi Kae on the eastern tip is particularly special.
The beaches here face both east and south, so you get interesting light at different times of day. The southern-facing sections offer sunset views, which is unusual for east coast locations. The swimming is better than many east coast beaches because the peninsula’s geography creates slightly different tidal patterns.
It’s quiet, quite remote, and doesn’t have massive development. There are a few excellent boutique properties, but it’s not overrun with tourists. The rock formations and tidal pools add visual interest beyond just standard beach scenery.
Getting here requires a bit more effort than hitting Nungwi or Paje, which self-selects for people genuinely wanting isolation. If you’re happy being somewhat off the beaten track, Michamvi’s beautiful.
Kizimkazi Beach
Down on the southern tip of the island, Kizimkazi’s main claim to fame is dolphin tours – boats go out early morning to spot (and swim with) dolphins in the area.
The beaches themselves are less developed and get fewer visitors than the famous northern and eastern spots. They’re attractive enough – white sand, clear water – but it’s not quite the same pristine quality as Matemwe or Paje.
What Kizimkazi offers is access to dolphin experiences without staying in a hectic tourist zone. If swimming with dolphins is high on your list and you don’t mind that the beach itself isn’t the absolute best on the island, it makes sense as a base.
The historical mosque in the village dates back to the 12th century and is worth visiting if you’re interested in Swahili history. Combined with dolphin tours and decent beaches, it gives you more cultural engagement than pure beach resort areas.
Bwejuu Beach
Another east coast option, sitting between Paje and Jambiani. Bwejuu’s got that classic postcard look – white sand, turquoise water, palm trees leaning over the beach.
It’s quieter than Paje, less touristy than Nungwi, but with more going on than completely remote spots like Michamvi. There’s a small village with local restaurants and a few tourist-oriented places, plus several nice accommodation options from budget to mid-range.
The tidal variation is significant, same as other east coast locations. But when the tide’s in, the swimming is excellent, and the sandbars at low tide create beautiful patterns and interesting walking opportunities.
Bwejuu works well if you want an east coast beach experience without the kite surfing scene of Paje or the backpacker hostels. It’s got a mellow, relaxed vibe that appeals to people looking for low-key beach time.
Choosing Your Beach
Think about what actually matters to you. If guaranteed swimming at any time is essential, stick to the north coast around Nungwi or Kendwa. If you’re into water sports or want a livelier social scene, Paje’s your spot. For pure relaxation and upmarket tranquility, Matemwe or Michamvi deliver.
Most people pick one beach area and stay put, maybe doing day trips elsewhere. The island’s not huge, but transfers between beaches take longer than you’d expect, and constantly moving around defeats the point of a beach holiday.
Whatever beach you choose, there are plenty of fun things to try in Zanzibar beyond just lying on the sand – though honestly, lying on the sand is a perfectly valid holiday plan too.Take your time, pick somewhere that matches your actual priorities rather than just what looks best on Instagram, and immerse yourself in the tranquil side of Tanzania. Any of these beaches will give you that tropical paradise experience, just with slightly different flavours.