Quick Answer: Stay in Stone Town for culture and short trips, Nungwi or Kendwa for sunsets and swimming at any tide, Matemwe for quiet beaches near Mnemba, Paje or Jambiani for kitesurfing and a laid-back vibe, and Michamvi or Kiwengwa for resorts. For trips of five days or more, combine one or two nights in Stone Town with one beach area.
“Which beach is best?” is the question I answer most often, and my honest reply is always another question: best for what?
Zanzibar’s coastline changes completely from one side of the island to the other. On the north-west the sea stays close and calm at almost every tide and the sun sets over the water. On the east coast the tide can go out a kilometre, leaving shallow lagoons, seaweed farms and perfect kitesurfing conditions. Stone Town is a different world again. Choosing where to stay in Zanzibar is the single biggest decision of your trip, because it decides how you’ll spend your days and how long you’ll spend in a car.
In this guide I compare the main areas honestly, explain the tide issue that catches out so many visitors, and match each area to the kind of trip it suits best.
What Are the Main Areas to Stay in Zanzibar?
The main areas are Stone Town on the west coast; Nungwi and Kendwa in the far north; Matemwe, Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani on the north-east; and Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu and Michamvi on the south-east. Each has a different beach, tide pattern and atmosphere.
Why do the tides matter so much?
The east coast has a very wide, shallow reef lagoon. At low tide the water can retreat hundreds of metres, so you may walk a long way to swim, and some days you’ll see seaweed farms and rock pools instead of waves. That’s beautiful in its own way, and great for kitesurfing, but it surprises people who expected a postcard swim at any time. The north-west (Nungwi and especially Kendwa) is much less affected, which is why it’s popular with families and swimmers. Check tide tables for your dates if swimming is your priority.
Which Area Is Best for You?
Choose your area by what you want from your days, not by which hotel photo looks nicest. Here’s how I’d match travellers to areas.
Stone Town: best for culture and short trips
Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar, 15–20 minutes from the airport. Stay here for its atmospheric boutique hotels, rooftop restaurants, the Forodhani night market and easy access to Prison Island, Nakupenda sandbank and Safari Blue (which leaves from nearby Fumba). There’s no swimming beach to speak of, so most people stay one or two nights. Our Stone Town walking guide shows what’s on your doorstep.
Nungwi: best for sunsets and things to do
Nungwi, at the northern tip, is lively, with beach bars, restaurants, dhow builders and the rescued sea turtles at the Nungwi turtle aquarium. The sea stays swimmable at most tides and sunsets over the water are spectacular. It can be busy in high season. It’s a good base for Mnemba; our guide to visiting Mnemba from Nungwi explains the logistics.
Kendwa: best for swimming at any tide
Just south of Nungwi, Kendwa has a long, wide beach where you can usually swim even at low tide. It’s calmer than Nungwi during the day, with a party reputation around the monthly full-moon events. It’s a great all-round base for families and couples who want beach time first.
Matemwe: best for quiet and Mnemba
Matemwe, on the north-east coast, is quiet, village-like and the closest base to Mnemba Atoll, so snorkeling trips are short and easy. The tide goes out a long way, but mornings and high tide are beautiful. It suits honeymooners and anyone who wants peace. See our guide to visiting Mnemba from Matemwe.
Kiwengwa and Pwani Mchangani: best for all-inclusive resorts
This stretch of the north-east coast has many large, all-inclusive resorts with pools and restaurants on site. It’s convenient if you don’t plan to leave the hotel much, and it’s close to Maasai World and the north-east boat departures. Like the rest of the east coast, it has big tides.
Paje and Jambiani: best for kitesurfing and a laid-back vibe
Paje is Zanzibar’s kitesurfing capital, with steady winds for much of the year and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere: beach cafés, yoga and backpacker-friendly places alongside boutique hotels. Jambiani, just south, is quieter and more village-like. The tides are big, so swimming depends on the time of day. If kiting appeals, look at our kite surfing in Zanzibar lessons and rentals.
Michamvi and Bwejuu: best for sunsets on the east coast
The Michamvi peninsula is one of the few places on the east coast where you can watch the sun set over water, across Chwaka Bay. It’s quiet, with some lovely resorts, and close to The Rock restaurant and the Blue Lagoon snorkeling spot. Bwejuu, just south, has a long, calm beach with palm trees and few crowds.
Should You Stay in One Place or Split Your Stay?
For trips of five days or more, split your stay: one or two nights in Stone Town, then one beach base. For shorter trips, stay in one place. Moving hotels more than once in a week usually costs more time than it saves.
How far apart are the areas?
Approximate private-transfer drive times from the airport:
- Stone Town: 15–20 minutes
- Kiwengwa / Pwani Mchangani: 50–70 minutes
- Paje: about 1 hour
- Matemwe / Jambiani: 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes
- Nungwi / Kendwa / Michamvi: 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
Our Zanzibar transfer service connects all of these, from $20 per vehicle to Stone Town and $45–$50 to the beaches for up to six people.
Does your base affect which tours you can do?
Yes. Rama Zanzibar picks you up anywhere on the island, but your base changes how long you spend in the car. Mnemba trips are shortest from Matemwe, Nungwi and Kendwa; Safari Blue, Prison Island and Nakupenda are closest to Stone Town; Jozani, the Blue Lagoon and Salaam Cave are closest to Paje and Michamvi. Our 3, 5 and 7-day Zanzibar itineraries show how to match your tours to your base.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Zanzibar
What is the best area to stay in Zanzibar for first-timers?
For most first-time visitors, a split stay works best: one or two nights in Stone Town, then Kendwa or Nungwi. You get culture, easy swimming at most tides and good sunsets, with plenty of restaurants and tours nearby. If you want somewhere quieter, swap Nungwi for Matemwe or Michamvi.
Nungwi or Kendwa: which is better?
Choose Nungwi if you want more restaurants, bars, activities and village life within walking distance. Choose Kendwa if you want a wider, calmer beach where swimming is easier at low tide. They’re only a few minutes apart, so you can easily visit one from the other for dinner or sunset.
Is Paje or Nungwi better?
Nungwi is better for swimming at any tide, sunsets and a lively atmosphere. Paje is better for kitesurfing, a laid-back social vibe and easy access to Jozani and the southern tours. If swimming is your priority, choose Nungwi or Kendwa; if you love wind sports or don’t mind planning swims around the tide, Paje is great.
Where should families stay in Zanzibar?
Kendwa and Nungwi are good choices for families because the sea is swimmable at most tides and there’s plenty to do nearby, including the turtle aquarium. All-inclusive resorts in Kiwengwa also suit families who want everything on site. Wherever you stay, choose a hotel with a pool so children can swim at any tide.
Where should couples and honeymooners stay?
Matemwe and Michamvi are the most romantic: quiet, with beautiful boutique hotels and resorts, and close to Mnemba or the Blue Lagoon. Add a night or two in a Stone Town boutique hotel at the start for atmosphere and rooftop dinners.
Is it worth staying in Stone Town?
Yes, for one or two nights. Staying there lets you see the town early in the morning and in the evening, when it’s at its most atmospheric, and join Forodhani’s night market. It’s also the best base for Safari Blue, Prison Island and Nakupenda. There’s no swimming beach in town, so most visitors move to the coast afterwards.
Which side of Zanzibar has the best sunsets?
The west and north-west coasts, including Stone Town, Nungwi and Kendwa, have sunsets over the sea. On the east coast, Michamvi is the exception, with sunsets across Chwaka Bay. Elsewhere on the east coast you’ll get beautiful sunrises instead.
Final Thoughts
Where to stay in Zanzibar depends on what you want your days to look like.
- Stone Town for culture, food and short trips
- Nungwi and Kendwa for swimming at any tide and sunsets
- Matemwe and Michamvi for peace, honeymoons and easy marine trips
- Paje and Jambiani for kitesurfing and a relaxed vibe; check the tides
Whichever area you choose, we pick you up from your hotel for every tour. If you’re stuck between two areas, send us your dates and plans on WhatsApp at +255 773 315 736 and we’ll tell you honestly which suits your trip.
