Zanzibar Beach Holiday
overview
If you’re drawn to tropical beaches, warm waters, and a slower pace of life, Zanzibar delivers the experience without compromise. The archipelago sits off Tanzania’s eastern coast, offering a mix of historic coastal culture and Indian Ocean relaxation. Here, you’ll find everything from laid-back guesthouses and beachfront bungalows to full-service resorts and quiet boutique hotels for adults seeking peace and privacy.
Zanzibar Island (Unguja) is the most popular destination, known for its white sand beaches, the UNESCO-listed Stone Town, and vibrant spice farms. Nungwi and Kendwa, on the northern coast, are favorites for swimming and sunset views, while Paje and Jambiani on the east coast are ideal for kite surfing and a more local charm. For nature lovers, Chumbe Island offers protected coral reefs and eco-lodging, while Mnemba Atoll is known for world-class snorkeling and diving.
Zanzibar after Safari
After days spent tracking wildlife on Tanzania mainland trekking the rugged volcanic trails of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar offers a gentle shift. It’s the contrast that makes it essential. The island slows the pace, softens the light, and lets travelers take it all in before returning home. For many, it becomes a place where everything sinks in.
The transition from savannah to coastline is seamless. One moment you’re watching elephants, and by late afternoon you’re walking barefoot on the beach. That ease, and the diversity it offers, is what makes Zanzibar such a valuable extension to a safari itinerary.
Paradisical Beaches
Zanzibar’s beaches are the kind that don’t need dressing up. They speak for themselves; long stretches of sugar-white sand, calm turquoise water, and the incredible sunsets on the horizon.
Nungwi Beach
At the northern tip of the island, is among the most popular, with good swimming tides, lively beach bars, and a long walking beach that catches golden sunsets.
Kendwa Beach
Just nearby, offers a quieter alternative with the same west-facing view. On the eastern side, Paje and Jambiani appeal more to travelers looking for space, wind, and freedom. This side of the island is known for its kitesurfing, wide tidal flats, and early morning tranquility.
Matemwe Beach
Further north along the east coast, Matemwe offers peaceful seclusion, backed by palms and traditional fishing villages. And if you are looking for complete retreat, Michamvi Peninsula blends luxury with isolation, providing one of the best sunset views on the island’s east coast.
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
Zanzibar offers more than just beach time. The island has a pace and palette that invites deeper experiences. One of the most rewarding is a Stone Town walking tour. Here, every turn offers a piece of history; carved wooden doors, rooftop mosques, faded colonial balconies, and busy spice stalls. The town still lives as it did decades ago, and it’s this authenticity that continues to draw curious visitors.
The Jozani Forest
Located near the center of Unguja, Jozani Forest is the island’s only national park. It’s known especially for the red colobus monkeys – found only in Zanzibar. These monkeys are often seen leaping through the treetops or lounging near the walking paths, seemingly unbothered by visitors.
The forest walk itself winds through mangrove swamps, mahogany groves, and dense undergrowth alive with butterflies and birds. It’s an easy half-day trip from most parts of the island and offers a chance to see a different side of Zanzibar beyond the coastlines.
Stone Town
Stone Town, the island capital and a historic hub of commerce and culture. Walk its tight alleys, and you’re moving through centuries of trade, empire, and cultural mosaic.
The carved wooden doors, coral-stone buildings, and muezzins’ call to prayer echoes across the rooftops at the break of day, through fading colonial facades that speak to a past that refuses to be forgotten. This is where cultures collided and left their mark: Omani palaces, Indian shopfronts, Persian baths, and African soul.
Nungwi Beach
At the northern tip of the island, Nungwi is what many travelers picture when they dream of the Island: palm-lined sands, non-tidal turquoise waters, powdery white sands, and wide horizons.
Stay a little longer here and you’ll notice what makes it different – a working dhow yard, fishermen mending nets, and that quiet hum of local life still intact. It’s a beach destination that hasn’t lost its grounding.
Forodhani Night Market
Each evening as the sun sets, Stone Town’s Forodhani Gardens park transforms into an open-air food market. Tables overflow with delicious Zanzibar fare such as Zanzibar pizza (taste nothing like pizza but it’s tasty), fresh seafood, and every kind of meat on a stick you could dream of. Take a walk around and get acclimated before hitting up the stalls that called out to you and wash it all down with some freshly squeezed sugar cane juice.
From Zanzibar pizza to sugarcane juice, grilled octopus to mishkaki (local skewers), Forodhani is a nightly ritual for locals and travelers alike.
Spice Tour
The Spice Tour introduces travelers to Zanzibar’s aromatic identity. Visits to local spice farms provide insight into how cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon are grown, harvested, and used in Swahili cooking.
The Safari Blue Tour, a day-long sea excursion, explores nearby islands and sandbanks, with stops for snorkeling in clear waters and seafood lunches cooked on the beach.
Best Time to Visit
Your visit to the island will greatly depend on many things including your interests, where you want to visit and the purpose of your visit. For a beach holiday, the weather and climate is generally the most important factor. Though Zanzibar is a year-round destination, choosing the right season can elevate your trip from good to unforgettable.
June to October
December to February
March to May
The long rains arrive. Some resorts close or operate at limited capacity.
While prices drop, the weather can be unpredictable.
November
Short rains begin, but they are usually brief and don’t disrupt travel plans. A good shoulder season with fewer crowds and good visibility for diving.
Your visit to the island will greatly depend on many things including your interests, where you want to visit and the purpose of your visit. For a beach holiday, the weather and climate is generally the most important factor. Though Zanzibar is a year-round destination, choosing the right season can elevate your trip from good to unforgettable.