Going to Zanzibar in search of active rest You won't be surprised that the most popular activity after lying on the beach is snorkeling in Zanzibar. You can do snorkeling on your own or buy excursions. Not every beach is suitable for independent swimming, but you can buy this excursion on every beach.

Read more about what else you can do in Zanzibar for an active traveler. And now in detail about snorkeling, where, when and how much.

Map of the main areas for snorkeling in Zanzibar:

Snorkeling in Zanzibar, main points:

• on Memba Island (only an excursion, you can’t swim there yourself)
• between the beaches of Page and Jambiani (only an excursion, you can’t swim there yourself)
• on the beaches of Kendwa and Nungwi (you can do it yourself)
• in the south during

As you can see from the list above, independent snorkeling is possible only on the northern beaches of Kendwa and Nungwi, where there are no low tides and coastal reefs are constantly under water. If you brought fins, a mask, a snorkel with you, then you are completely ready for snorkeling on Nungwi and Kendwa beaches. read the link.

On the entire east coast, self-snorkeling is extremely dangerous, as the ocean is very shallow, high tides and high tides, quite a lot of sea urchins and reefs that are almost on the surface.

Firstly, all these conditions make it extremely scarce near the coast itself and, in principle, there is nothing to see. Secondly, snorkeling is extremely dangerous. You will either be pulled into the ocean, or cut by rolling waves on reefs.

Therefore, on all the beaches of the east coast there are two options for snorkeling:

1. Between the beaches and Page, 1 km from the coast, there is a rather interesting reef, where tourists are taken on authentic sailboats. There is an opportunity not only to snorkel and raise a star from the bottom of the Indian Ocean, but also to feel like a captain and a sea adventurer.
   • For a boat, they usually ask for 20-30 dollars. The three of us rented a boat for $20 and there was no one else in the boat. Snorkeling on these beaches is the cheapest in Zanzibar.
2. Memba Island, which is located in the northeast of Zanzibar, 3-4 km from the coast. All tourists from the northern beaches (, Pwangi Mchangi) are taken here. Of the benefits, a more lively reef and a diverse underwater world. Of the minuses: prices on any beach start at $ 15 per person, you sail on a boat with a motor, on which there are 10-15 people, there is no opportunity to command the crew of the boat.

Our boat. Set sail before sailing. Jambiani beach
I am the captain. We sail towards adventure.

Well, as I wrote above, you can do plenty of snorkeling during a one-day Blue Safari excursion in the very south of the island. Throughout the day, your boat will stop near small islands where you can safely swim and watch the fish.

Therefore, I draw your attention, if your path does not lie through the beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa, then it makes no sense to bring a mask, snorkel and fins with you, for any paid excursion You will be given them. If you think that you will buy on the spot, it is just as unlikely, we have seen fins with a mask on sale 1-2 times during the entire holiday.

And one more important note: although snorkeling is the most popular activity in Zanzibar, you should not expect underwater world on the reefs of diversity, as in Cousteau's "underwater odyssey" films. If you have been to Egypt in the Red Sea, or worse, visited the great barrier reef of Australia, then there is nothing to see in Zanzibar. Compared to these two places, the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania is much poorer. Although you can always get a starfish for yourself.

Finally: Snorkeling in Zanzibar, at the very least you should try it. Indian Ocean in these latitudes it is very warm, transparent and bright emerald. You only enjoy the view. And who can be found underwater can be regarded as a bonus.

Personally, my opinion: we got the most emotions and pleasure on snorkeling between the beaches of Jambiani and Page, an old fishing boat under our control - it was something.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: below are the main resources without which you cannot organize your vacation in Zanzibar (immediately add the necessary to your bookmarks):

Air travel:– the cheapest tickets to Zanzibar via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Muscat.

Ready tours: — tours to Zanzibar from 60,000 rubles. (You can find a direct charter Moscow - Zanzibar)

Hotels:– hotels on the island with 50% discounts, work with Booking, Ostrovok, Trivago.

Villas, bungalows and hotels on the first line:- There are exclusive options at great prices.

Car rental:- the world leader in car rental, in Zanzibar too.

Extended medical insurance:– cooperate directly with the Zanzibar Hospital and Clinic. When buying insurance, free online medical consultation 24\7 during your trip!

Considered one of the best holiday destinations in the world. If you want to swim in the clear turquoise water of the ocean and lie on the warm white sand, the best beaches of Zanzibar are just for you. All resorts of the island can be conditionally divided into northern, eastern, southern and western coasts, as well as beaches near. The list of entertainment includes snorkeling, underwater fishing and hunting. Let's take a look at the best swimming beaches in Zanzibar.

South coast

The beach at Fisherman's is considered the best in everything. Previously, it was possible to retire here among small bays, walk around ancient buildings and watch dolphins from the shore, but it was only possible to spend the night with the local population. Now a comfortable The Residence Zanzibar has been built on the beach. It has its own part of the beach, there are no merchants on it, there are no queues for sunbeds, and besides, it is guarded around the clock. Not far from here is the oldest religious building in all of East Africa - the Shirazi Mosque. Please note that waves and strong currents often rise on the southern beaches of Zanzibar, so it will be difficult to relax here with children.

The best beaches on the north coast of Zanzibar

1. Nungwi. Nungwi Beach is located 60 kilometers from Stone Town and is the most popular on the island. Here is a great opportunity to connect beach holiday with a vibrant nightlife. The main attraction of Nungwi is the coral reef. This is one of the best places for diving on the island. There is also a lighthouse here, where you can negotiate with the guard and climb to the top for a small fee. observation deck lighthouse. On the northern part of the cape there is an aquarium with sea turtles. The beach is ideal for families with children - the sand is soft and warm, the water is clear without currents and waves.
2. Kendwa (Kendwa). Kendwa Beach is separated from Nungwi by a high wooden jetty, along which you can drive freely. This is a beach overlooking the island of Tumbatu, coral sand and luxurious palm trees. Kendwa is ideal for lovers of relaxation without comfort, because. there are almost no cafes and hotels on it. Backpackers usually rest here with their tents and awnings.

Beaches on the northeast coast

1. Matemwe. Matemwe beach is located 50 kilometers from Stone Town. Magnificent metho with snow-white as powdered sugar sand, turquoise clear water and a view of the island of Mnemba. There are many expensive all-inclusive hotels here. Italians come to Matemwe, so the staff is fluent in Italian. Prices per night from $150. On the beach you will find large air-conditioned thatched bungalows in traditional African style.
2. Kiwengwa. There used to be a small village here, now it is a whole resort complex of hotels, souvenir shops and bars. The complex is fully designed for a European tourist, there is a lot of music, dance floors and little privacy on the beach. The beach is suitable for young people without children.

East coast beaches

1. Uroa (Uroa). The beach will be of interest to those who would like to get acquainted with the life of the local population. Here, at low tide, local women come ashore to collect shellfish and crabs. If you head to the village from the beach, be prepared for the fact that local children are very fond of European tourists and want to touch the “white” person for good luck. The beach is quite dirty due to the nearby seaweed farm and the constant low tides of the ocean 2-3 kilometers from the coast.
2. Chwaka. Chwaka occupies almost the entire part of the east coast. From the beach you can see the Michamvi peninsula. During the colonial rule of Britain, almost all English offices and government bungalows were located here. Now the buildings look sad due to the lack of repair and restoration. In the village there is the largest fish market on the island, where you can buy fresh fish or, upon request, they will cook it on the coals before your eyes.
3. Jambani. Jambani Beach is very popular with locals and tourists. Here is the cleanest water and sand without algae. The bottom is flat and shallow. The locals are very friendly. By the way, if you need a post office, there is a small post office in the village with twenty-five mailboxes. In souvenir shops, you can buy cheap kanga - an element of local clothing, which is hand-woven by Jambani craftswomen. There are two kiting schools on the beach, where you can rent a longboard and swim around.

Nungwi- the best beach in Zanzibar. Located in the north of the island. It's pretty big village with a good selection of hotels and relatively low prices for food and drinks. There is a market, souvenir shops, exchange office. There are 2 shops that sell alcohol. Every 100 meters there is a restaurant on the beach, where every day fishermen bring their catch (fish, squid, octopus). Right in front of you, seafood is cooked on the grill. There is a lot of competition for such establishments, so food prices are the lowest in Zanzibar. In general, Nungwi has a wide variety of cafes and restaurants, as well as national fast food, everything is very tasty and for any request. Everything is good here in terms of entertainment. Every day, on one of the beaches of Zanzibar, an evening beach party is arranged; there are two such places in Nungwi. Exact time and the place of the party should be checked with the hotel guide or with the locals. The Indian Ocean on Nungwi Beach is warm, clean, transparent, deep in places. In addition, not far from this resort there are good places for diving. Unlike most other beaches in Zanzibar, there are no strong low tides here. Low cliffs hanging over white sand create a unique landscape.

Kendwa- the most expensive and one of the best beaches in Zanzibar for swimming - the coast and the bottom are sandy here. It is located in the north, and the tides here are not very large. All beaches in Zanzibar are public and free, you can freely go to the beach of even the most expensive hotel. This popular beach is very beautiful: white fine sand, turquoise water and luxurious palm trees. It is well looked after - constantly cleaned and cleaned of algae. This is the widest beach in Zanzibar. It is quite crowded as there are large hotels around, as well as beach establishments where you can eat inexpensively. On this beach organized water activities. Tourists come here in the evenings specifically to watch the amazing sunsets.

Mangapwani- this is the closest beach to Stone Town, it is of extreme beauty, besides it is deserted. The indisputable advantage of the beach is that here, since this is the western coast of Zanzibar, the low tides are not very noticeable. Nearby are sights - chambers where slaves used to be hidden before being sent to other countries. The beach got its name from the word "mango", which means "merchant". The place is secluded and romantic. You need to know that the bottom on this beach is rocky, and it is advisable to take coral slippers with you for swimming.

Matemwe- Matemwe beach is located 50 kilometers from Stone Town. A magnificent place with snow-white, like powdered sugar, sand, turquoise clear water and a view of the island of Mnemba. If you describe the beach in two words - it is loneliness and serenity. There is no tourist infrastructure here, no shops, no souvenir shops and restaurants. The nearest fruit market is 2 km away. It takes 20 minutes by taxi to Nungwi. We recommend going here to those who are tired of the bustle of the city, the fast pace of life, people, those who just want to lie on the beach and drink cocktails. There are many expensive all-inclusive hotels here. On the beach you will find large air-conditioned thatched bungalows in traditional African style. The beach is fully exposed to the problem of strong low tides - the main disadvantage of the east coast of Zanzibar. The ocean goes to a distance of 1.5 kilometers. At this time, local residents go out to "hunt" for marine life. The bottom here is sandy and rocky, a lot of hedgehogs and algae. We recommend taking coral slippers with you.

Pwani Mchangani- Pwani resort is one of the best on the east coast of Zanzibar. Here tourists will find all the necessary attributes paradise island- solitude, silence, peace, azure water, great beaches, comfortable hotels in traditional African style, as well as excellent weather all year round. Nearby is a small village where you can buy fruits and souvenirs. There are no cafes and shops nearby, so tourists prefer to walk to Kiwengwi. The beach is fully exposed to the problem of strong low tides - the main disadvantage of the east coast of Zanzibar. The ocean goes up to 2 kilometers away.

Kiwengwa until recently it was a small village, but now, resort complexes, built on the site of peasant houses, have already stretched along the entire coast, almost swallowing them up in the muzzle of music and entertainment designed for a European tourist, authentic atmosphere African village. There is a lot of music and fun here, but you can also find more or less secluded places - in small private boarding houses they still manage to maintain an authentic Zanzibar atmosphere of sincere cordiality and hospitality. Although in some parts of the coast there is a problem of strong low tides (up to 400 meters), this is one of the best beaches on the east coast of Zanzibar. It is very popular with tourists with children. lot good hotels and good access to the sea.

Uroa (Uroa)- Uroa Beach is located 40 km from Stone Town and is very authentic. Local peasants live here, so the coast is very colorful. In this area, the ocean is most subject to ebb and flow, so that during low tide during the day the ocean goes 2-3 km from the coast. At this time, local women come ashore to collect crabs and shellfish and grow seaweed plantations. Here you will also find a seaweed farm. Tourists go to this area mainly for the sake of living closer to Stone city which they plan to visit frequently. Here are the cheapest hotels in Zanzibar.

Pingwe- located on the east coast of Zanzibar. Pinggu Beach is clean, snow-white, long, cafes and hotels are located along the coast. Nearby is the restaurant "The Rock". Karafuu Photos Beach Resort& Spa 5*.

Paje- the beach is located on the southeast coast of the island of Zanzibar. Despite the fact that at low tide it takes a very long time to go to the depth (up to 1 kilometer), this place still enjoys well-deserved popularity because of its beauty. The coast and bottom are sandy. In addition, kitesurfing is good here. This beach is considered active, designed for young people. Tourists from all over the world come here for skiing and nightlife. In the evenings, there are parties and discos on the beach. Also on this beach is developed tourism infrastructure- many shops, cafes, souvenir shops and a mini market.

Beach Kizimkazi considered one of the best in all of Zanzibar. There are secluded bays, ancient buildings, from here you can watch dolphins, and if you're lucky, then swim with them, since here they are already accustomed to people. There are also luxurious hotels in which tourists spend all their time. Kizimkazi beach is located in the south of the island. It got its name from the nearby fishing village, which was once the capital of the island and still houses the oldest mosque in East Africa from the pre-Ottoman period Shirazi. But it is worth considering that southern beaches Zanzibar is more suitable for those who feel confident in the water, as there are often waves here. The beach is almost deserted. Low tides up to 500 m.

Zanzibar: features of tourism and recreation. Useful travel information about Zanzibar.

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White coral sand and hammocks stretched between palm trees - this is a typical picture of the beaches of Zanzibar. From north to south, the resort stretches for 100 km, and from west to east - only 40. The most popular beaches are located mainly in the east, where a barrier reef stretches along the coast. But good options also available in other parts of the island. True, when choosing, you need to take into account the peculiarities of Zanzibar beaches - a gigantic amplitude of tides on the east coast (the sea goes 1.5-2 km away) and the almost complete absence of the usual infrastructure outside hotels: no sun loungers, showers and changing rooms (does not apply to Nungwi).

All the beaches of Zanzibar are sandy. But due to the active tides, the sand looks more like sea silt - the legs seem to fall into the ground, so long walks along the coast can be difficult.

Another feature of the beaches of the island is a very smooth descent into the water, so almost all of them are suitable for families with children. Almost - because with the sunset a lot of insects appear, and there is practically no children's infrastructure.

Nungwi

In the north of Zanzibar, unlike the east, the tides are almost imperceptible. This makes Nungwi great place for swimming at any time of the day - you do not need to go far to "catch up" with the ocean ( GPS coordinates: −5.722887, 39.298294). The sandy beach is also known for its parties - after all, one of the largest settlements on Zanzibar. There are also "classic" bars and restaurants. They cook there mainly grilled fish, which is brought by local fishermen. By the way, Nungwi is one of the few places on the island where alcohol is sold. In the very north is the Mnarani Aquarium, which specializes in the protection of turtles (official website in English).

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Kendwa

Within walking distance from Nungwi is Kendwa (−5.754102, 39.287271). This is a more respectable resort area with a large number of luxury hotels, not so crowded and even quieter than the neighboring one. Kendwa comes alive a little in the evening when fires are lit on the shore and the bars fill up with people. The rest of the time it is a very quiet place with snow-white "powdery" sand and azure sea. Closer to the northern end of the beach is the Scuba Do diving school.

Matemwe

Matemwe village with the same name sandy beach located in the northeast of Zanzibar, directly opposite the small and very picturesque island of Mnemba (−5.872062, 39.353705). The place can be called wild: there are very few people, there is no infrastructure, except for the dive center (off site in English). Matemwe, like other beaches of the east, is subject to powerful low tides.

The sea recedes for 2 km, you can even take a walk on the coral reef. True, this must be done carefully, since the bottom is dotted with sea urchins. Therefore, the beach is not suitable for vacationers with children and swimming enthusiasts - only a tan.

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Page

The southeast beach of Pages is known as one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world (−6.266267, 39.536540). The waves here are minimal (2 km from the shore there is a 40-kilometer reef that “absorbs” them), but the wind is very strong. From the infrastructure - souvenir shops and mini-shops with snacks and soft drinks.

The beach is youthful, so the atmosphere here is party-like, and the prices are democratic. True, this does not apply to the kiting school and equipment rental. 9 hours of training will cost 1,000,000 TZS (equipment is included in the price), rent of kite accessories from 150,000 TZS. Prices on the page are for November 2018.

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Jambiani

A little further south is Jambiani Beach (−6.320954, 39.548639). He is the “twin brother” of Page, only without a specialization in kitesurfing. Due to the absence of waves and the minimum depth, the water here warms up to +30 °C. But you can not swim everywhere - the coast outside the area of ​​​​responsibility of hotels is often dotted sea ​​urchins and algae. The main entertainment on Jambiani is snorkeling. Here it is very budgetary: renting a boat for a three-hour tour costs 45,000 TZS.

Kizimkazi

Kizimkazi Beach (−6.454430, 39.472224), located near the village of the same name, is remote from the main resorts, so there are very few tourists here. Yes, and those that are, live in hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis and rarely go for a walk. There are almost no shops and souvenir shops, and restaurants - only at hotels.

Kizimkazi is a destination for tourists on the so-called "dolphin tour". On a boat or a fishing boat, tourists are taken to the ocean, where, if you're lucky, you can see these cute creatures and even swim with them. Excursions are sold in any hotel. Depending on the distance to the beach, the cost will be from 35,000 to 90,000 TZS per person.