&Beyond Mnemba Island
Ultra-luxury private-island lodge off Matemwe — 12 barefoot bandas, all-inclusive, world-class diving.
Mnemba · Ultra-luxury private island
Where to stay · Tanzania
Best Zanzibar Beach Resorts: Where to Stay by Coast
Zanzibar is really 20 different beaches strung along one island, and the coast you pick decides your trip. The northern tip is picture-perfect year-round; the east has wider sand and boutique villa energy; the south is windier and cheaper. This guide breaks the island down by coast, tells you when tides matter, and hands you the best resort in each zone.
Which coast: Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe, Paje or Michamvi
Nungwi & Kendwa (north): no significant tidal drop — you can swim at any hour. Nungwi is livelier (beach bars, dhow-building village, sunset boat parties); Kendwa is quieter with the widest sand strip. Best for first-timers and honeymooners.
Matemwe (north-east): boutique villa-y feel, quieter than Nungwi, reef offshore protects the swim area. Best for divers (Mnemba Atoll launches from here).
Michamvi Pingwe (east): the peninsula with The Rock restaurant. Wide beaches but big low-tide walks. Best for wedding-photo scenery and higher-end resorts.
Paje & Jambiani (south-east): kitesurf central — trade winds blow June-September and December-February. Cheaper, backpacker-boutique feel.
Kizimkazi (south): dolphin-swimming base. Very quiet, only 3-4 resorts.
Understanding Zanzibar's tides
Zanzibar has a semi-diurnal tide with a big range — roughly 3-4 metres between high and low. On the east and south-east coasts (Matemwe, Michamvi, Paje) the ocean can retreat 300-800 metres at low tide, exposing seagrass beds — walkable and beautiful but not swimmable from the beach.
On the north coast (Nungwi, Kendwa) the geography and reef mean tides drop far less. Water is swim-depth from the beach essentially all day.
Every resort provides a printed tide calendar at check-in. Plan snorkelling, boat trips and swims around high tide.
When to visit Zanzibar
June-October: dry, cool (25-28 C), reliable trade winds — best all-round season and kitesurf peak.
December-February: hot dry season (28-32 C), best water clarity for diving, second kitesurf peak. Christmas/New Year books out 4-6 months ahead.
March-May: the long rains — avoid. Many resorts close in April-May for maintenance.
November: short rains — cheaper rates, brief afternoon showers.
Combining Zanzibar with a Serengeti safari
The classic Tanzania trip is 4-6 days safari (Serengeti + Ngorongoro) followed by 4-6 days on Zanzibar. Fly ZNZ from Arusha (JRO) or direct from Serengeti airstrips on Coastal Aviation or Auric Air — 1.5-2 hours.
See our dedicated Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari Guide for the safari half of the itinerary.
Book Zanzibar last — you want to unwind, not front-load the fatigue.
Getting there and around
Fly into ZNZ Abeid Amani Karume International — Zanzibar City. Direct flights from Dubai (Emirates, flydubai), Doha (Qatar), Istanbul (Turkish), Nairobi (Kenya Airways) and seasonal European charters.
Alternative: fly JRO Kilimanjaro and connect via Precision Air, Coastal Aviation or ferry from Dar es Salaam (2 hours, Azam Marine).
Pre-book a Kiwitaxi or resort transfer — ZNZ taxi drivers do not use meters and quote 3-5x the local rate. From ZNZ: Stone Town 20 min, Nungwi 90 min, Paje 60 min, Michamvi 90 min.
14 handpicked Zanzibar beach resorts
Zuri Zanzibar
Kendwa Design Hotels member — 55 rooms, villas and bungalows on the widest white-sand beach.
Kendwa · Ultra-luxury
Kilindi Zanzibar (Elewana Collection)
15 domed white pavilions each with a private plunge pool — Kendwa clifftop, adults-focused.
Kendwa · Ultra-luxury adults-friendly
The Residence Zanzibar
66-villa colonial-style estate on the south-west coast — private pools, spa, best five-star all-round.
Kizimkazi · Luxury
Baraza Resort & Spa
30 all-inclusive villas on Bwejuu beach (east coast) — Zanzibari architecture, adult-friendly luxury.
Bwejuu · Luxury all-inclusive
Melia Zanzibar
150-room reef-front resort in Kiwengwa (north-east) — best five-star family option with kids club and multiple pools.
Kiwengwa · Luxury family
Konokono Beach Resort
Michamvi Kae boutique — 26 pool villas on the peninsula, adults-only.
Michamvi · Adults-only luxury
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
Nungwi cliffside 40-suite resort — best luxury Nungwi option with cinematic infinity pool.
Nungwi · Luxury
Diamonds Star of the East
70-room adults-only all-inclusive on Kiwengwa beach — best-value premium AI on the island.
Kiwengwa · Adults-only all-inclusive
Riu Palace Zanzibar
162-room adults-only all-inclusive on Nungwi's east tip — best big-brand AI value.
Nungwi · Adults-only all-inclusive
Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar
9-villa Michamvi ultra-boutique — private beach cove, personal butler, all-inclusive.
Michamvi · Ultra-luxury boutique
Upendo Zanzibar
10-villa Michamvi boutique on a private stretch — adults-friendly, best-value boutique on the east coast.
Michamvi · Boutique
Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa
156-room family-friendly all-inclusive in Pwani Mchangani — three pools, kids club, honest value.
Pwani Mchangani · Family all-inclusive
Emerson Spice (Stone Town)
8-room UNESCO-Stone-Town boutique — hand-restored merchant house, rooftop dining. Best 1-2 night city bookend.
Stone Town · Boutique heritage
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Frequently asked questions
Which coast of Zanzibar has the best beach?
Kendwa (north-west) has the widest, most swimmable beach with no tide issues. Nungwi (north) is more social. Matemwe and Michamvi (east) are wider and quieter but suffer big low tides. Paje (south-east) is the kitesurf beach.
How many days in Zanzibar?
5-7 days on the beach is ideal, plus 1-2 nights in Stone Town for the cultural half. Combine with 4-6 days on safari in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro for the classic 10-14 day Tanzania trip.
Is Zanzibar safe?
Generally very safe — petty theft in Stone Town after dark is the main issue. Dress modestly off the beach (Zanzibar is 95%+ Muslim), especially in Stone Town and villages. Beach resorts are enclosed and secure.
Do I need a visa for Zanzibar?
Yes — Tanzania visa applies. Most nationalities buy a USD 50 single-entry visa on arrival at ZNZ or eVisa online. US citizens pay USD 100 (multi-entry).
When should I avoid Zanzibar?
March-May long rains — many resorts close for maintenance in April-May. November has short rains but is generally fine and cheaper.
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