Nungwi or Kendwa: the choice in a minute
| You want | Choose |
|---|---|
| Restaurants, bars and a choice of accommodation | Nungwi |
| Deep sea at any hour, calmer mood | Kendwa |
| Full moon party | Kendwa |
| Village, dhows and turtles | Nungwi |
| Excursions to Mnemba | Nungwi or Kendwa |
Nungwi: the liveliest
Nungwi beach is wide and lined with bars, with loungers and string lights in the evening. This is where travellers end the day for the sunset. The village of Nungwi, just behind, keeps its dhow yards and fish market; the Mnarani turtle sanctuary is very close. Allow about 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 15 by road from the airport (see from the airport to your hotel).
Kendwa: quiet swimming
Kendwa is calmer and its sea stays deep almost at any hour: it is the choice of couples and families who want to swim without watching the tide. Kendwa beach is wide and lined with hotels and bars. The Kendwa Rocks full moon party draws a crowd on certain nights; check the dates and plan your return to the hotel. You can go from Nungwi to Kendwa on foot along the beach, or by local taxi.
Outings from the north
The flagship outing is snorkelling at Mnemba, with departures from Nungwi, Kendwa and Matemwe: compare the number of passengers per boat, and what the atoll fee and the meal include. For diving, see diving in Zanzibar. A trip to Stone Town is possible in a day but takes about 1 hour 30 each way; better to spend a night there, see Stone Town.
Swimming, tide and season
The tide is less marked in the north than on the east coast, but check it before swimming at low tide in front of a hotel. June to October is the drier, cooler season, December to March the hottest; avoid April and May if possible, see when to go to Zanzibar.
Where to sleep in the north
Nungwi offers the most choice, from hostels to resorts; Kendwa has fewer hotels but calmer ones. If you hesitate with the east coast, read where to stay in Zanzibar. Rooms closest to the beach cost more: ask for the exact distance before booking.
Going further
For a complete stay, see Zanzibar in 4 days. For the south-east, read the Paje and Jambiani guide.
