The Magical Beaches of Zanzibar
There are times when the beach calls your name. It stalks your thoughts and dreams. You are at work typing a project and you get sucked into reading countless wanderlust inducing travel blogs.
You close your eyes and imagine the sun hitting your face, the humid breeze on your skin and hot sand under your feet. Your wallpaper is a magnificent view of Bora Bora or the Phi Phi Islands.
That was me some months ago. I made last minute travel plans with a friend and Zanzibar caught our eye. From Kenya, it is a less than 2-hour flight including a stopover at Mombasa, the Kenyan coastal town.
Zanzibar
This little modest Island is located at the Tanzanian coast a few miles from Dar Es Salaam. This island is known to be a perfect destination for honeymooners but if you are going with friends or travelling solo, you will still have the time of your life.
A closer look....
What I like about the island is the fact that you can find some decent accommodation for a great price. Because we were travelling on a budget, we hopped onto Airbnb and we got a nice place for the two weeks we would be staying there.
We stayed at Kiponda BnB which is located in Stone Town and we paid USD 30 a night for a double room. On two nights we paid USD 40 because there was the annual Sauti Za Busara Festival, which is a famous music festival in the island that draws people from all over the continent. (If you would like some insights into Sauti za Busara festival, leave some comments down below and I will compile an engaging piece here to cover the cultural event).
Flying to Zanzibar, the turquoise waters can be seen for miles above. It is like a warm welcome. You will want to stay in Stone Town because that’s where most of the activities are.
Because we had never been here, we wanted to explore on our own but we still wanted a guide to shorten our learning curve. Having a guide is not a bad thing. However, picking the right guide is the task. We found Azizi (@zanzibarguide on Instagram), a very fun, genial and down-to-earth guide who ended up being a friend to us. He gave us our itinerary beforehand and he picked us from the airport. He even sent us spices after the trip.
A photo of Azizi and us during the tour of the Magrove Forests in Zanzibar
We wanted sand and sun and our itinerary included to going to the famous beaches of Zanzibar and I feel that I am well placed to bring you some information on some of the places we visited.
In this island, you get the perfect mix of ocean, sand, sun and fun. There are very many beaches because on the island and it is almost impossible to go to all of them in 2 weeks but you have to visit these.
Nungwi Beach
This is one of the most common beaches in Zanzibar. You will find it hopelessly overcrowded especially during tourist season. Since we went in February, it was better but there were still people who were there because February is the month of love.
We stayed there for an hour or so before we decided to go to another beach. Closeby, you will find the iconic The Rock Restaurant which is a great restaurant constructed on a huge rock. However, if you want to eat here, you must reserve beforehand and be ready to spend because the food is pricey. Nevertheless, they let you go in to take pictures and even relax if you want to. In Nungwi, the beach is clean and not bad if you do not like droves of people obscuring your view.
The Rock Restaurant
Dongwe and Bwejuu
From the town of Paje, you can drive to Bwejuu. There are many hotels and lodges along the way and this is a tourists trail. People love this beach because it is less crowded but the disadvantage is the low tides. The road is so dusty and there are so many rocks so you need a car that can handle off-road terrain. This puts off many people and you can see from the numbers on the beach. I actually loved it here. We got a patch to swim and snorkel. There were very few people around so we also got to take great photos. Despite the rocks and dust, the view is amazing to and from the beaches.
Paje Beach
This was my favourite beach. Although it was crowded, it was easy to get a spot for ourselves after walking. However, there are many kite surfers but the place is so beautiful. During the low tourist season, it is a dream. Make sure to visit. There are beautiful beach hotels for you to grab cocktails.
Kizimkazi
On the south of Zanzibar, you find Kizimkazi which is another quieter beach. The trick in Zanzibar is finding a place where most people do not frequent. There are secrets waiting for you to uncover especially if you find a local to help. We got here during sunset but it was too breezy for us to swim. We just sat and talked for a few hours then we took a very long sunset walk on the sand. We only met with two people for the whole 3 hours. The serenity and views were perfect. I even meditated for a bit.
Kendwa Beach
We briefly passed by Kendwa Beach and hoped to return before our trip ended but we did not. However, Azizi mentioned that it was a relaxed beach worth a visit. It is to the West of Zanzibar. On the Western side is also Kiwengwa and Matemwe beaches.
Prison Island and Chaguu Beach
These beaches are on a small island near Zanzibar because you cannot visit Zanzibar and not go to Prison Island. On prison Island, you get a punch in the gut when you see the stark reminders about the Slave Trade in the 18th Century. We even went to a place where the treacherous waters hit the walls with so much force and that is where the slave masters would throw the rebellious slaves back then.
After the sadness that is the Prison Island visit, you need something to calm your mind. There is a beach on the island that is so beautiful. However, the waters are very rough and swimming here is a task. We had a nice lunch here as we had carried some food.
Sandbanks
There are many sandbanks and you can ask around if you love them. It is always nice to dip your toes in the sand as the water closes in on you every minute. It is scary but exhilarating too.
Tips & tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you when you are visiting.
- Download a map and study it. You can also go to your Google Maps and plan a route to where you will visit.
- Do your research and ask your guide if you have one. If you are travelling solo, this will be a hard task because you will get people fighting for your attention. You will find people wanting to take you on tours even when the waters are rough just to get money.
- Sometimes, switch off your phone and camera and just be. Breathe in and breathe out. Really relax.
- Travel lightly and have a plastic bag for your electronics. You do not want to be the person with a huge camera in the middle of the ocean. Sometimes, you get water coming at you from every direction and by the time you are done, you are completely soaked.
- For the ladies, wear your swimsuit under your clothes because there are very few places to change. We would often wear a skirt, shorts or a dress over our swimsuit and that saved us so much. Because we went on the sunny season, clothes would just dry so fast.
- For the ladies: Get some slipper like sandals because you take your sandals on and off every time. Having a sandal with a buckle or many strings to tie will just be a hustle for you. Having sandals that you can just slip in and off is great.
- Get some beach shoes. This will help you out on rocky beaches. I actually stubbed my toe once and it hurt like hell.
If you have any questions leave them down below. I hope I have convinced you to add Zanzibar beaches on your bucket list. Yes or yes?
Authored by @jeanwandimi
Photography by @jeanwandimi
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Thank you!
A hidden gem from ZANZIBAR. Many places I already visited from eyes because of the post you are making everytime. All information you provide is like a compounding interest in my mind. Great post @adsactly
Thanks for visiting.
Greetings, adsactly
Very nice description of what you have done on this island. For me, I realized it as an island.
I found some beautiful things I want to list. The water is very light in the initial part and then goes dark, because of the depth.
I kept thinking, the sea side is super beautiful, but I did not see anyone swimming. You got shark in it?
Another thing that draws attention is the Paje Beach. It reminds me of a beach in Brazil called Arraial Djuda, where there is a lot of nature and few people.
The map that you put to show how they arrived helps a lot the people who want to go there, besides the photos are very inviting to know a new place.
Thank you and good night!
Well written and wonderful writeup of your trip! I think this is the first time that I've seen pictures of Zanzibar, and now I'm interested in visiting as well! The beaches are beautiful but it sounds like during tourist season, too many people have already heard of Zanzibar's beaches so I guess I'm still late to that party. Tourist season is summer, I assume, but maybe going in winter would still be okay...
Your tour guide sounds great, I imagine that he really enhanced the experience. Sounds like he loves his job, country and life which is a super combination. Sending spices as a farewell gift? That's pretty exciting, have you cooked with them yet?
Good tips on visiting, especially with the clothing drying fast. I'd be nervous about getting into the water if I thought I'd be wet and miserable the rest of the day...
Were you able to see much in the way of wildlife? It seems like Zanzibar as an island nation may have some secrets in regards to that.
Yes it is a place that couples frequent. But anytime from February-May should be fine. I am gla that Zanzibar is on your radar. I hope you get to visit soon.
Yes our guide was amazing and we still talk to date. He sent me many spices and the best was the lemongrass that I make tea with. I also have cloves. I am using them sparingly.
We actually did not see any wildlife. Just marine life like dolphins and fish. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Such a great post @jeanwandimi and thanks for the photos @jeanwandimi!
As you said in the beginning, these last days it's like the beach is calling me. It's getting hotter here and the weather is perfect for a beach. More to that, you got a music festival. Can ti be more perfect? :D
I kinda fell in love with that little beach and The Rock Restaurant! Looks like it's from the movies. I love the feeling you get that overwhelm you while eating on the beach, and this restaurant just seems the perfect spot to maximize that feeling! Love it!
Thanks for the tips at the end and for this beautiful post. You just made me wondering how beautiful this upcoming summer is going to be. Can't wait for it!
Have a great day and safe travels!
I know that feeling. Where are you based?
Are you planning an escape soon?
Can you imagine when we planned our trip we did not know that there would be a festival? We were pleasantly surprised. the festival was just a few metres from our hotel so we could go anytime we like.
This restaurant is a dream. ...and during high tide it is above the water and it is the best place to be.
Talk soon!
I am in Croatia and I got sand beach in my home place. But I can't wait for the summer now, it's going to be fun!
My escape is on the island of Korčula. I have another home there :) There is my paradise.
Wow. I have never heard of that island. Photos?
SOURCE: https://www.adriatic.hr/hr/vodic/dalmacija-otok-korcula-prizba/pl-241
I have my house here. This is a small part of island of Korčula ;) You can google for more pics ;)
I’ll tell you a secret: when I was younger I used to think that Zanzibar was a made-up place. It sounds so exotic, I thought it came straight out of a fantasy novel or children’s storybook or something! How embarrassing. But what joy it brought me to learn as an adult that it was real, and that after I had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, its beaches would make a perfect place to rest my weary limbs.
After the life-changing trek up Africa’s highest peak, I had three weeks until my flight home. Once I had recuperated, I envisaged moving on from Zanzibar and exploring more of east Africa. However, as usual, my travels didn’t go to plan. I fell head-over-heels with this otherworldly island. The beaches are right up there with the best I have ever seen, but I found so much more than sand and sunsets, and ended up staying for the full three weeks.
I know. Zanzibar is like a dream. On my first day there I felt some nostalgia. like t had been a place I had visited in my dreams or read about somewhere.
I am so happy that you got to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
If you ever do come to East Africa let me know> @jeanwandimi Instagram.
Thanks for reading my story via @adsactly.
Jambiani beach is my favorite! Wonderful beach of the Indian Ocean with all the shades of turquoise and sand like very fine rice powder and very white. It is spectacular at low tide and great at high tide! A real joy !
Wow. I love that. I'll check it up. the Indian Ocean beaches are amazing. Have you ever been to Mombasa/ Lamu on the Kenyan coast?
Zanzibar, maybe visit in future.
in herei like most kendwa beach though all beach are beautifull.
love to travel in the beach.
nice photo captured.
Kendwa is stunning. I hope you visit one day.
Oh this is gorgeous!! I've always dreamt of Zanzibar from a children's story & song my parents used to play for us when I was growing up, I had no idea how gorgeous it really is~ thank you for sharing!
I'll disclose to you a mystery: when I was more youthful I used to believe that Zanzibar was a made-up put. It sounds so outlandish, I thought it came straight out of a dream novel or youngsters' storybook or something! How humiliating. However, what happiness it brought me to learn as a grown-up that it was genuine, and that after I had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, its shorelines would make an ideal place to rest my fatigued appendages.
After the groundbreaking trek up Africa's most elevated pinnacle, I had three weeks until the point that my flight home. When I had recovered, I conceived proceeding onward from Zanzibar and investigating a greater amount of east Africa. In any case, not surprisingly, my movements went poorly design. I fell head-over-heels with this extraordinary island. The shorelines are straight up there with the best I have ever observed, yet I discovered far beyond sand and dusks, and wound up remaining for the full three weeks.
"So glad you could travel with us..."
Best regards, @adsactly
Simply amazing and vividly described! I enjoyed this post a lot!
Lately, I've been seeing the posts about the nature in Thailand, Philippines, etc and it's not exaggerating to say that I'm left stunned by it. It's like nature painted the picture on your canvas and now it's calling me to come and see the beauty. I've been telling myself that as soon as I get some free time and money, that this area of the World is the first I'm going to visit.
I love art and creativity and I see you had a great artistic time on your trip. My jaw just dropped on a level of my knees when I saw that white castle :O :O Are you kidding me? It's like from some modern artistic fairytale from the future :D I got few question though, can you enter the castle? Is any of the pictures taken inside?
Anyway, the art, history and nature combined together can't make a bad trip, am I right? I'm sure you had a blast there. This post made me look it up on google for more information and pictures, it's simply amazing.
Keep on traveling, carry your art within you and spread it onto nature. Much love, Luka.....
Exceptionally magnificent landscape of shoreline, zanzibar is one of archipelago nation like indonesia that have numerous awesome place, much thanks for your sharing to us, achievement dependably for you sibling @adsactly this post @upvote resteemit done
Zanzibar is really a nice place to be, the pictures of it makes me wanna visit. It really awesome and one of the best travel photos I have seen on steemit thanks @adsactly for sharing
Thanks @sammyswt and @sharminkona. Yes I agree Indonesia is also amazing. I can't wait to go at the end of the year.
To tell the truth, the post that you share among us, we get lots of fun by posting a lot about the life of people about life. I am very happy to read your posts. It really makes you feel like a lot. Thank you so much for your post. To distribute
I resteem your excellent travel post
That's great post.
Amazing travel.
Thanks for sharing this post.
Very wonderful scenery of beach, zanzibar is one of archipelago country like indonesia that have many wonderful place, thank you very much for your sharing to us, success always for you brother @adsactly
Nice photographs and the beach is wonderful. Hope you enjoyed your travel, thanks to share.
Excellent your every photo really awesome .I impress see your every photo..
Nice to see that place
it's a great tourist spot
Nice photographs and the beach is wonderful. Hope you enjoyed your travel, thanks to share.
I really enjoyed reading this. I am a fan of historical stuffs like events and cultures and most specially arts. Thank you so much @adsactly and @stewsak for bringing us at Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. I was so amazed by their arts. It is really cool and my eyes are turning into a star just by looking the pictures. My heart is pounding and wanting to touch them. I could imagine myself their and just be WOWed with their jaw dropping arts. I know that making those cool arts are not easy in their times because no especialize tools and materials that they can use, they make it by what means they have. They are really the true artist. Just by looking at their works, it's really amazing how they project the very keen details of each sculptures and paintings. I really do wish I could visit that place one day. And I really hope so that many generations of Thailand will be able to see the works of their ancestors and be proud that they are born in their country. This is really a great opportunity you gave us @stewsak, for you brought our imagines their. Thank you...upvote and resteemit done.
What a wonderful travel dear @adsactly...
Hope I can visit Zanzibar sometime in the future...
Thanks for sharing this impressive post....❤
I hope you go soon to experience the magic of the island.
Buenos días @adacly..me alegraste la vida con tan bello espectáculo natural...es aquí donde yo dijo que la naturaleza es la mejor perfección que creo Dios...sin exagerar...disfrute mucho de tu nuestro viaje por así me sentí...con tan espectaculares fotos ...saludos...espero que también viaje por mi blog..para dejarme su maravilloso apoyo
Good morning @ adacly..me happy life with such a beautiful natural spectacle ... this is where I said that nature is the best perfection that I believe God ... without exaggeration ... enjoy your trip so much I felt ... with such spectacular photos ... greetings ... I hope you also travel through my blog ... to leave me your wonderful support
excellent views love it
Very wonderful scenery of beach, zanzibar is one of archipelago country like indonesia that have many wonderful place, thank you very much for your sharing to us, success always for you brother @adsactly
Wow!!! So lovely
Truly Africa is beautiful and great
We are in amazing continent!
nice views....love it
Excellent your every photo really awesome .I impress see your every photo..
Wow! that's a amazing and wonderful place man.I like it.
Have a fun and enjoy good day.
Yes. I like it
Zanzibar Island 🏝 is Awsome... You enjoy a lot.. Pictures was amazing.. 😊 I wish I could go there 🙂
Right !!! So lovely
Truly Africa is beautiful and great.
The best continent ever. :)
Having an adventure life is the best way of enjoying life
Couldn't agree more.
So many lovely beaches that you've visited. Looks like you had a really great time. Hopefully you're all relaxed now
What a wonderful travel dear @adsactly...
Hope I can visit Zanzibar sometime in the future...
Thanks for sharing this impressive post....❤
Nice photographs and the beach is wonderful. Hope you enjoyed your travel, thanks to share.
Wow! that's a amazing and wonderful place man.I like it.
Have a fun and enjoy good day.
well done love to go to zanzibar myself
The images you share are absolutely breathtaking. The white sands and crystal clear blue water make you want to jump right in. I truely appreciate the level of detail you describe things with. It paints a vivid picture that teases all three senses. Air Bnb is such a great tool for finding affordable accommodations. We have used it a few times and were super pleased. I would love to read more from you about the festival. Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience.
Yes Airbnb is the best. Hope you visit Zanzibar one day. Cheers!
It's very good @adsactly
Zanzibar is such a stunning destination with more to offer than just its amazing beaches, the food, the spices, the tours are just as stunning as you immerse yourself in the Tanzanian island culture. The people are also amazingly open and friendly and this post really does some justice into capturing some of that magic.
@jeanwandimi i really like your writing style and would like to know if you would be interested in contributing to www.tripindigo.com/blog/
They are East Africa's fastest growing online travel agency and they are always looking to collaborate with content producers who promote destinations in East Africa. If you are keen then feel free to contact me, looking forward to hearing from you
Hey. I agree 100% I actually still have some spices from this trip. The photos also get me so nostalgic and I wouldn't mind going back there.
Thanks so much for the above. I would love to write for the website. It is great. I love the listicles and blogposts.
My email is [email protected]
I have so many stories and my blog is www.thewineandfoodreview.com
Thanks for responding and your interest in sharing your stories with us! I will mail you shortly and will check our your blog too! I look forward to working with you
One of the very nice Africa beaches are located at Zanzibar. i would love to visit someday...
I hope you travel soon.
This is very very very Amazing.. best beach
That's great post.
Amazing travel.
Thanks for sharing
que bello paisaje, que bien que disfrutaron, éxito y buena suerte
Any good waves for surfing around that area?
Looks and sounds like a dream :)
Cheers.
Yes I saw some people surfing near Nungwi.
Cheers!
Have ya heard of Skeleton Bay in Namibia?
The oddly shaped sandbar provides the longest tube ride you will ever have.
It is a marvel and incredible feet of evolution for the shape of the ocean floor to be like that.
A true gift from the gods for the surfers of the world.
I leave a video below.
So extraordinary!
(2.35 is the money shot) Ahh
I always get that wanderlust imagination. My mind constantly drift to beaches and abandoned places. I'm envious of your explorations, God bless you dear :)
I also sometimes dream of forests and picturesque places.
Nice, it is a wonderful land, Hope one day I can travel to
What a marvelous post Jean! Zanzibar is such an exotic idea in America that it felt good just to type the word. I'm really glad to see that the idea is correct!
You always make it seem like I've been there when are done describing places. A rare talent, thank you for sharing it!
Thankyou so much @bigtom13 I am glad that you like the post.
I wish your beach travel is very enjoying , happy travel , your beaches picture is so beautyful .
Your post is always different i follow your blog everytime , your post is so helpful . I always inspire of your post on my steem work . Thank you for sharing @adsactly
Follow my blog @powerupme
Nice place
Well... Wow I've heard so much about zanzibar and these photos are so speaking true of it... i sincerely wish to go there for a tour (if possible) how intriguing , how fascinating, how magnificent, how interesting, how attractive... I'm short of words tho... Zanzibar a dream place for humans... (Dead or alive) smiles) ... Hope i get an invitation to tour there... @adsactly..
The magical Zanzibar indeed...
Now that you spoke it to existence it will happen and you will have loads of fun. Good luck!