Behind the hotels of Nungwi beach, the village keeps its fishing and boat-building trades. Carpenters still build wooden dhows, the traditional sailing boats, by hand on the shore, and fishermen land their catch near the fish market. It is a short visit, free if you go on your own, and it shows a different side of the north of the island from the beach bars. Organised excursions often pair it with the Mnarani turtle sanctuary, a few minutes away. The prices and durations below come from booking sites checked in October 2026.
Highlights
The dhows on the beach
On the beach, wooden boats are drawn up on the sand or under construction. You can watch the carpenters work from a respectful distance and ask before taking photos.
Nungwi beach
A wide white-sand beach lined with trees. Behind it, the village keeps its lanes and small shops.
The fish market
Fishermen sell the morning catch here. It is liveliest early, before the heat; some guided visits stop there. For the turtles, see the Mnarani sanctuary.
Practical info
Tips
- You can see the village on your own in about an hour, or with a local guide on a 2 to 3 hour visit that adds the market, the boatyard and the turtles. Prices seen in October 2026: from about 54 to 57 USD for a visit of about 2 hours 30 with the turtle sanctuary and hotel pick-up; the sanctuary entry, around 10 USD (25,000 TZS) according to one offer, sometimes has to be paid in cash on the spot. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered away from the beach), ask before photographing a person and do not touch the turtles. For the beach atmosphere, see Nungwi beach.
How to get there
The village is at the northern tip of the island, about 1 to 1.5 hours by road from the airport and Stone Town (guides' estimate). It is within walking distance of all the Nungwi beach hotels. For the airport transfer, see from the airport to your hotel. To find your way around the north, see Nungwi and Kendwa.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
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