Zanzibar: Best Beaches Guide: Swim, Surf, and Relax

Zanzibar is one of the most beautiful and exotic places in Africa. It’s also a popular destination among beach lovers, divers, and snorkelers. In this guide, we’ll show you the best beaches to go on Zanzibar to relax on white sand, surf, or do other beach activities. This guide will give tips on how to make the most of your time there.

The beaches of Zanzibar are well-known for their white sand and clear waters. Being an island in the ocean, it has many different types of beaches, from those with gentle waves and white sand to those with strong currents. They are perfect for swimming, surfing, and relaxing on the beach.

1. Nungwi Beach

Nungwi Beach is a long and wide beach that is popular with locals and tourists alike. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the sun, but also has a lively nightlife scene if you’re looking for something more active.

The beach itself is about five kilometers long, with white sand stretching from one end to another. You can rent chairs or umbrellas from vendors on either side of the beach if you want some shade from the sun (or rain). There are many hotels nearby as well as restaurants serving local cuisine like seafood stew or rice dishes made with coconut milk–and don’t forget dessert! Zanzibar is known worldwide for its delicious dessert options such as mango mousse cake or banana custard pie (also known as kasheeni).

2. Paje Beach

Paje Beach is located on the north coast of Zanzibar, and it’s one of the most popular destinations for kitesurfers. The beach has a coral reef in the middle of its bay. There are several hotels and resorts nearby if you want to stay overnight, or just grab lunch at one before heading back home.

The beach is very popular among kitesurfers, and it’s often crowded with people in the water. However, if you’re a beginner, there are still plenty of spots to practice without bumping into anyone. The waves are strong here, so you should be able to learn tricks quickly!

The beach itself is quite wide and long, so there’s plenty of space for everyone. There are also bathrooms on the premises if you need to use them. If you want to learn how to kitesurf, there are instructors at the beach that can teach you everything they know! If a lesson isn’t in your budget, then renting gear from one of the local shops is an option as well.

3. Kendwa Beach

Kendwa Beach is located on the south coast of Zanzibar, near Stone Town. It’s a beautiful beach with a nice reef and excellent snorkeling. The water here is calm enough for swimming and surfing, but it can get rough when high tide comes in at night.

There are some shops along the beachfront where you can rent chairs and umbrellas for a small fee, or buy snacks and drinks from the vendors who walk around selling them (you’ll definitely want those). If you need to use restroom facilities while visiting Kendwa Beach or any other one along this stretch of coastline, there are public ones available nearby at Bwejuu Beach Resort & Spa as well as Kendwa Rocks Hotel & Spa; both hotels will let you use their facilities if they’re not busy with guests staying overnight there during peak season months like July through October when tourism tends towards being busiest around Zanzibar Island largely because temperatures tend toward being higher during those times too.
Visitors often prefer visiting places where temperatures may be cooler than normal even though these areas aren’t necessarily cooler than anywhere else within Tanzania itself which means tourists could potentially end up spending less money by choosing less expensive destinations elsewhere outside this region altogether, but most people don’t know how much money they could save themselves if they did research beforehand instead just relying solely upon what other travelers told them verbally without checking any facts firsthand themselves before making decisions based solely upon hearsay rather than facts matched against personal experience which could lead someone astray thinking maybe something wasn’t worth doing after all despite trying hard enough only later realizing things weren’t meant

4. Bwejuu Beach

To get there, you will need to take a bus from Stone Town or Jambiani. The bus ride is about 1 hour and 15 minutes, so plan your day accordingly.

Bwejuu Beach is also known as “The Village of Peace”, so it’s no surprise that this small village has become popular with tourists looking for an authentic experience in Zanzibar. It’s located on the east coast of the island and offers beautiful views of Unguja Island (the main island) across from it. Bwejuu Beach is known for its picturesque setting and crystal-clear waters which are perfect for swimming or surfing! You’ll also find plenty of shops selling handmade crafts along with restaurants serving delicious seafood dishes if you’re hungry after spending some time at the beach.

If you want to watch some stunning sunsets while relaxing at your hotel bar during your stay in Zanzibar then this is definitely one place you don’t want to miss out on seeing before leaving Tanzania!

5. Matemwe Beach

Matemwe Beach is located northwest of Zanzibar. It draws surfers from around the world, who come to test their skills on the waves that break here.

The coral reef that lies just off this stretch of sand is also a major drawcard for snorkellers and divers alike, who come here to explore its beauty up close.

But while Matemwe might be famous for its waves and corals, it’s also a great place to simply relax on your own or with friends in a hammock under palm trees overlooking miles of uninterrupted beachfront.

6. Jambiani Beach

Jambiani Beach is located on the northern tip of Zanzibar, which means it’s a little bit off the beaten path. But if you’re looking for a beach that combines stunning scenery and great surf, this is your spot.

Jambiani has long been known as one of the best places in Africa for surfing, and it’s easy to see why: The waves here break just right for beginners and experts alike, but they’re also gentle enough that even kids can enjoy them. If you want to learn how to surf or spend more time practicing your skills (or just want someone else who knows what they’re doing), there are plenty of instructors available here too! There are also some great restaurants nearby if you want to grab lunch after spending all morning out on the water; check out Jambiani Dhow Restaurant & Bar or Mama Mia Pizza & Pasta Restaurant & Bar for tasty options after catching some waves!

If staying overnight at this lovely beach isn’t enough excitement for one day though…there are plenty more things going on nearby! For example, You could visit Gazi village where locals sell handmade crafts such as baskets made from coconut leaves; go hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro; take an excursion around Mafia Island Marine Park where dolphins swim alongside boats passing through its waters; go snorkeling off Pemba Island, or just relax by yourself reading those books you’ve been meaning read forever now (but never seem get around).