The choice in a minute
| You want | Choose |
|---|---|
| Kitesurfing, cafes and a sporty mood | Paje |
| Fishing village, calm and small hotels | Jambiani |
| Quiet beach between two villages | Bwejuu |
| Sunset and bars on the peninsula | Michamvi Kae |
The tide decides the day
On this whole coast the sea draws back very far at low tide: you walk on the sand and through seaweed farms, and you swim mostly at high tide. Look at the tide times for your stay before booking a hotel "facing the beach": at low tide the water can be hundreds of metres away. Kitesurfing schools, excursions and even some restaurants are organised around the tide.
Paje: kitesurfing and atmosphere
Paje beach is Zanzibar's big kitesurfing spot, with a shallow lagoon and two wind seasons (kusi from June to September, kaskazi from December to February). Paje is the most convenient area for eating, going out and renting equipment. Allow about 1 hour by road from the airport (see from the airport to your hotel).
Jambiani: the village
Jambiani beach is quiet, with small hotels, guesthouses, dhows stranded on the sand and seaweed farms that set the rhythm of the landscape. Allow about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 by road from the airport. Kuza Cave is close for a swim and a visit.
Bwejuu and Michamvi: calm
North of Paje, Bwejuu beach is calm and little visited, and the Michamvi peninsula ends at Michamvi Kae, known for its beach bars and sunsets. The The Rock restaurant is at Pingwe, on the same peninsula: book and choose the time according to the tide.
Outings from the east coast
Jozani forest and its red colobus monkeys is the simplest outing, about an hour by road. To the south, the Kizimkazi dolphins leave very early in the morning; choose an operator that limits the boats around the animals. To compare the east coast with the north, see where to stay in Zanzibar.
The traps to avoid
- Booking without checking the tide: the hotel may have the sea hundreds of metres away at low tide.
- Forgetting the season: some hotels close during the long rains, see when to go to Zanzibar.
- Very cheap kitesurfing lessons: a rate around 20 USD an hour should raise suspicion.
Going further
For a complete stay, see Zanzibar in 4 days. For the north, read the Nungwi and Kendwa guide.
