Zanzibar beaches


Our Zanzibar Vacations
Tanzania Selous safari vacation & Zanzibar
Off-the-beaten track safari experiences & paradise beaches
Selous safari and beach vacation in Tanzania
A safari in Selous followed by time spent on a small island
Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach vacation
Your tailor-made Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach vacation!
Luxury Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach vacation
Selous safari then relax on beautiful Zanzibar
Oman and Zanzibar beach vacation
Muscat Souks followed by stunning Island relaxation
Zanzibar and Serengeti family Safari
Discover the wildlife in Tanzania's famous safari parks
Luxury Tanzania safari with Zanzibar beach stay
Best of both the bush and beach in one experience!
Zanzibar luxury beach vacation, Tanzania
Enjoy white sand beaches and sunsets on this 7 day vacation
Tanzania vacations, Selous, Zanzibar & the coast
See wildlife, experience culture and relax on beaches
Zanzibar beach vacation
Exotic sun, sea & sand in an African paradise!
Tanzania small group tour, savannahs & sands
A perfect mix of wildlife and relaxation
Classic Tanzania safari and beach vacation
Safari in Beautiful Tanzania with Dream Beach Destination
Tanzania family safari and Zanzibar vacation
Famous Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti combined with beach
Honeymoon in Tanzania, safari and beach
Celebrate your new adventure with the trip of a lifetime
The northern beaches
The northeast coast
Busy, but beautiful, and perhaps Zanzibar’s crowning jewel, the northeast coast with its glorious stretches of powdery beach is fringed by a coral reef that keeps the coastal waters mirror-flat and ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The reefs around Mnemba Island – a designated marine conservation area and arguably the best dive sites in Zanzibar – are accessible from here, home to around 600 species of coral fish and endangered green turtles. Whalesharks are visitors in September to November, humpback whales from July to September and dolphins can also be spotted. In general, the northeast coast, while home to a plethora of resorts, is a little quieter than its nearby northern neighbour with a handful of small Swahili villages such as Matemwe to explore among its towering coconut palms.The east coast
Idyllic, peaceful and dotted with upmarket accommodation, Zanzibar’s east coast may be more tidal than its northern counterparts, and therefore swimming may not be possible at all times, but it offers plenty of quiet beaches and excellent watersports once the coral reef is covered at high tide. The east is home to some of the best beaches on the island, around the small fishing villages of Bwejuu or Paje, or the bay at Pongwe for example, with a selection of exclusive, luxurious lodges offering barefoot, beach bliss. Day trips to Jozani Forest are an easy option from the east coast beaches as is a meal at the fairytale Rock Restaurant, sat on a tiny, idyllic outcrop of rock surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

The south coast
Pemba
Tourism is still in its infancy in Pemba, the second largest island in the Zanzibar archipelago, but it is here that responsible tourism could have a huge impact. To put this in context, Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world; people living on Unguja (the main island) are poorer than the mainland, and those in Pemba poorer than Unguja. Poverty levels here, unlike the rest of Zanzibar, are increasing, exacerbated by over-exploitation of marine resources. There is little industry, with most people reliant on subsistence fishing and agriculture. Just a handful of small resorts dot the coastline, but those that do can offer an alternative, sustainable source of income to local people. If you want true secluded beach bliss, where your stay can really make an impact on community livelihoods, Pemba delivers in spades.Our top Zanzibar Vacation
Tanzania Selous safari vacation & Zanzibar
Off-the-beaten track safari experiences & paradise beaches
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Things to do on Zanzibar’s beaches
Practicalities
While even the smallest of Zanzibar’s beachside fishing villages will usually have a couple of small (often very rudimentary) local shops, a basic café/restaurant or two, and a few souvenir stalls, some villages have more amenities than others. The only ATMs available on Zanzibar are in Stone Town and while hotels will take credit cards and US dollars, many local shops will not, so plan your cash accordingly.
Being responsible on Zanzibar’s beaches
Beach tourism has the potential to be a powerful and sustainable source of income for Zanzibaris, so choose your beach and resort carefully to ensure your wiggling toes in the soft sand, your sunset dhow cruise and your snorkelling adventures will be directly supporting local people. There are already some excellent examples of responsible tourism here; resorts which don’t just employ local people but empower them to take up management positions, use local entrepreneurs to provide excursions and experiences for guests; which carefully protect the fragile environment they rely on and, crucially, educate guests and Zanzibaris alike about the value of preserving the islands’ unique ecosystems.