Top 10 Best Beaches in Tanzania : Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands, the most notable of which is Unguja, which is 25 kilometers off Dar es Salaam’s mainland coast. The island is known for its unique beaches, well-known spice farms, history (the capital is Stone Town), and diverse culture. Zanzibar is recognized as a tourist hotspot that attracts a large number of tourists for vacation enjoyment. It is the most popular beach safari destination in East Africa and the most thrilling location for romantics, honeymooners, couples, families, friends, children, and relatives. The island offers a wide range of excellent tourism activities and accommodations to accommodate all types of visitors to Zanzibar, ensuring that they have a great time and that their expectations are met.
As a popular tourist destination for beach vacations, Zanzibar boasts a plethora of stunning beaches, making it difficult for travelers to decide which beach to visit and spend their vacation on. All of Zanzibar’s beaches are more beautiful and thrilling, but in this article/post, we’ll rank them from greatest to least great. With its breathtaking sunsets, palm-fringed beaches, turquoise oceans, and colorful coral reefs, Zanzibar’s greatest beaches are a must-see attraction when planning your safari to Tanzania-Zanzibar Island. The beaches are the main lure of this African island paradise, whether you’re traveling from Tanzania to Zanzibar for some post-safari leisure, a calm beach holiday, or a romantic East Africa honeymoon.
In Zanzibar the Sea is warm, and the atmosphere is easy making it an ideal destination for tourism. There are more than 25 beaches and Some of these include Kendwa beach, Nungwi Beach, Matemwe Beach, Pwani Mchangani Beach, Kiwengwa Beach, Pongwe Beach, Michamvi Beach, Bwejuu Beach, Paje Beach, Jambiani Beach, Kizimkazi Beach, Mtende Beach, Mnemba Island Beach, Forodhani Beach, Nakupenda Beach, Prison Island Beach, Dongwe Beach, Chumbe Island, Bawe Island Beach, Fumba Beach, Misali Island, and Vuma Wimbi Beach etc.
The greatest beaches in Zanzibar for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and staying at a wonderful beach resort while enjoying your vacation on Zanzibar Island are listed below.
- BWEJUU BEACH
On our list of the top beaches in Zanzibar to visit while on your Tanzania-Zanzibar safari, Bwejuu Beach is ranked first. Bwejuu is one of Zanzibar’s best beaches. This white sand beach on the island’s southeast coast is fringed by palm trees and is about an hour and a half from Stone Town. It’s one of Zanzibar’s quietest areas and a favorite choice for individuals looking for complete relaxation, tranquility, and seclusion.
If you wish to visit Zanzibar for relaxation, Bwejuu Beach is the ideal option; it is the quietest beach with fewer activities than other busy beaches. This is the best beach for safaris when visiting from the mainland, and now it’s time to relax with family, friends, or couples. Bwejuu Beach is also a good option if you’re planning a honeymoon in Zanzibar.
A mangrove forest and dhow boat cruise, a visit to the local town of Bwejuu, a reef safari, snorkeling and diving, a visit to Stone Town, or a day trip to the Jozani Forest, which is home to the Red Colobus Monkey, are just a few of the tourist activities and excursions available in the area.
- MICHAMVI BEACH
Michamvi Beach Village is located on Zanzibar’s East Coast, on the Michamvi Peninsula (Unguja Island). Stone Town is 63.7 miles and 64.6 km from Zanzibar Airport. Michamvi Beach is divided into two sections due to its peninsula: Michamvi Pingwe on the east and Michamvi Kae on the west. Michamvi is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, barrier reef, and palm trees. It’s ideal for a relaxed beach vacation with a slew of fantastic resorts dotting the coastline. It is one of the best beach for your vocation/ holiday trip in Zanzibar.
The famed The Rock Restaurant is located on Michamvi Pingwe beach. The Rock Restaurant is a prominent Zanzibar restaurant located on a rock that is surrounded by water during high tides and dry during low tides. You can’t even imagine if the water will surround this lovely rock during low tides. Michamvi Kae is located on the west side of the Michamvi Peninsula and is the only beach in Zanzibar’s south-east that offers sunset views. If you have enough money, you can stay at Konokono Beach Resort’s Isaraya Water Villas, which are exquisite overwater villas that can only be found at Michamvi Beach in Zanzibar.
- NUNGWI BEACH
Nungwi Beach, on Zanzibar’s northwest coast, is one of the island’s most beautiful and popular beaches, recently making TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards 2018 list of the Top 25 Beaches in the World. Nungwi is undoubtedly one of the island’s liveliest districts, with a diverse range of nighttime entertainment provided by the several beach resorts, hotels, restaurants, and pubs.
This beach, though, isn’t only for partygoers. The coral reefs off the coast of Nungwi are wonderful for diving and snorkeling, and you might even spot dolphins, green turtles, and whale sharks during certain times of the year. Nungwi Beach, which faces west, features some of Zanzibar’s most spectacular sunsets, and a sunset tour on a traditional dhow sailing boat is a must do tourist activity. Other fantastic and exciting things to do at Nungwi includes swimming, snorkeling, swimming with turtles, horseback riding, kayaking, skydiving, and diving. Nungwi is a prominent dive center location in Zanzibar.
- KENDWA BEACH
Another great beach in Zanzibar to visit and enjoy during your holiday vacation in Tanzania-Zanzibar. This beach may be found in Zanzibar’s northwestern region (Unguja Island). Zanzibar Airport is 66.2 kilometers away, while Stone Town is 61.7 kilometers away from this beach. Kendwa Beach is regarded as the best beach in the Zanzibar Islands and all of Tanzania. The ideal beach for swimming, snorkeling, diving, sunbathing, and a variety of other activities.
The beach is home to a variety of colourful starfish, which provide snorkelers with an amazing snorkeling experience. When compared to other beaches, the ocean tides at Kendwa Beach do not alter. This is a distinctive feature of this beach. If you’ve heard of the Full Moon Party, you’ll find it in Zanzibar as well. Kendwa Beach is famous for its Full Moon Party, which takes place every month at the Kendwa Rocks Hotel and is regarded as one of the best in the world. The sunsets at Kendwa Beach are legendary, so be on the beach as soon as the sun begins to drop. The beach comes alive in a new way once the sun sets below the horizon, with nightlife and calm beach parties.
- KIZIMKAZI BEACH
Kizimkazi Beach is located in Kizimkazi Fishers Village on the southern portion of Zanzibar Island (Unguja). The Stone Town is 59.3 kilometers away from the beach. Kizimkazi Beach is well-known in Zanzibar for swimming with dolphins, and many visitors schedule boat tours to swim with wild dolphins and snorkel. If you’re seeking a less touristic beach in Zanzibar, Kizimkazi Beach is for you. This is a tiny fishermen’s settlement with few hotels, bars, or restaurants in comparison to the rest of Zanzibar’s beaches.
The coastline here is significantly different from the east coast’s typical palm-backed lagoon. The shoreline is elevated above the ocean by a coral rag cliff, and the beaches are little coves rather than large swaths of sand. As a result, there are fewer lodging options available, and the neighborhood has a distinct and authentic feel. Another thing that Kizimkazi is notable for is the history of the Dimbani Mosque in Kizimkazi village, which was erected in 1107 by Shirazi Settlers.
- MATEMWE BEACH.
Matemwe is a stretch of coastline on Zanzibar’s northeast coast. The long, picturesque beach at Matemwe (Zanzibar’s longest beach) has some of the best sand on the island, and traditional fishing cottages can be found among the palm trees at the back of the beach, providing a fascinating glimpse into the local culture.
The world-famous island of Mnemba Atoll is located two kilometers offshore, just beyond the main reef, and is surrounded by pristine and easily accessible coral reefs. Matemwe Beach features some of the best diving and snorkeling on the island, as well as great kitesurfing and sailing.
- PONGWE BEACH.
Before arriving at Kiwengwa beach, stop at Pongwe beach, which is located near Uroa beach. It has a similar appearance to Uroa Beach, and its community has comparable occupations: small-scale fishermen who use traditional fishing methods. Rock restaurants such as The Rock Restaurant in Michamvi can be found on Pongwe Beach. Which is referred to as “The Island.”
Pongwe Beach is undoubtedly Zanzibar’s best swimming beach and one of the best place to visit during your Zanzibar vocation/ tour. Pongwe Beach is fortunate in that an offshore reef protects the entire beach, keeping the inner waters quiet and safe for swimming. Snorkeling and boat tours to the reef can also be arranged during your visit this beach.
- PAJE BEACH
Paje Beach, on the southeast coast, features everything a beautiful beach should have: huge expanses of white sand, palm trees swinging in the breeze, blue waters, and spectacular sunsets. Paje is a serene and quiet beach, bordered on one side by a tiny hamlet, offering it a nice contrast to the busier, more developed beaches in Zanzibar’s north.
Paje Beach is well-known for its water activities, and the superb kitesurfing conditions attract amateur and professional kite surfers from all over the world to this part of the island. In addition, the clear, warm waters are ideal for scuba diving, with turtles, starfish, trumpet fish, moray eels, and other colorful marine species inhabiting the offshore reefs. Locals may also be seen harvesting seaweed at Paje beach during low tide, which is used to create soap by a women’s cooperative.
- PWANI MCHANGANI BEACH,
Pwani Mchangani Beach is located on Zanzibar’s northwestern coast. Zanzibar Airport is 47.8 kilometers away, while Stone Town is 43.3 kilometers away from this beach. This is Zanzibar’s windiest beach, which makes it ideal for kiteboarding. Swimming, sunbathing, game fishing, and diving are among the numerous tourist activities available.
However, even if Pwani Mchangani beach is ideal for kiteboarding, we strongly advise you to stay on Paje beach if kiting is your passion. This is due to the fact that there are more kite schools in the area than Pwani Mchangani.
- KIWENGWA BEACH
Last but not least, Kiwengwa Beach is another of Zanzibar’s nicest beaches, where you can relax and enjoy your Zanzibar safari vacation. Kiwengwa Beach is located on Zanzibar’s east coast (Unguja Island). Zanzibar Airport is 45.7 kilometers away, and Zanzibar City is 43.3 kilometers away.
The whitest and longest beach on the west coast of Unguja Island, this is one of the greatest beaches to stay on in Zanzibar. Swimming, sunbathing, kiteboarding, and other water sports are all available at this beach. Because the beach is populated by hotels and resorts that get a lot of tourists from Italy, Kiwengwa beach is frequently referred to as “Little Italy.” On the beach, you’ll see a lot of local beach boys selling products to tourists.
In summary, the best Zanzibar beach for your vocation in your Zanzibar safari is summarized based on the group visitor/tourist category.
ZANZIBAR’S BEST FAMILY BEACHES
- Kendwa beach
- Nungwi beach
- Dongwe beach
- Bwejuu beach
- Jambiani beach
- Mtende beach
- Bawe Island
- Mnemba Island
BEST ZANZIBAR BEACHES FOR COUPLES
- Kendwa beach
- Nungwi beach
- Nakupenda Sandbank
- Bwejuu beach
- Jambiani beach
- Kiwengwa beach
- Bawe Island
- Mnemba Island
BEST GROUP TRAVELER BEACHES IN ZANZIBAR
- Kendwa beach
- Nungwi beach
- Nakupenda beach
- Paje beach
BEACHES WHICH ARE NOT CROWDED (BEST BEACH TO AVOID CROWDS)
- Kizimkazi beach
- Mtende beach
- Matemwe beach
- Pongwe beach
- Uroa beach
- The beach at Vuma Wimbi
- Misali Island
- Mnemba Island
- Bawe Island
BEST BEACHES FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS IN TANZANIA-ZANZIBAR
- Uroa beach
- Matemwe beach
- Pongwe beach
- Nungwi beach
BEST NIGHTLIFE BEACH IN ZANZIBAR.
- Nungwi beach
- Kendwa beach
- Paje beach
