Destination guide
Everything you need to know about Zanzibar.
Why visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar is the Indian Ocean archipelago 35 km off the Tanzanian coast that gave the world cloves, the slave trade's African terminus, the architectural heritage of Stone Town, and the white-sand beaches that have become the standard reward at the end of every East African safari. The main island, Unguja, is 1,666 km² of palm-fringed coast, spice plantations and historic ports. Pemba, to the north, is quieter, greener and rarely visited by package tourists. The combination of culture (Stone Town's UNESCO World Heritage maze of Arab, Persian, Indian and African influence) and pure beach (powder-white sand, turquoise water, low-tide reef walks at Matemwe and Paje) makes Zanzibar the most varied beach destination on the East African coast — and the natural three-night close to a Tanzanian safari.
Stone Town
Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar — a 320-year-old port city of coral-stone houses, Arab merchants' mansions, carved wooden doors, narrow alleys and the unmistakable mix of Swahili, Omani and Indian heritage that earned it UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2000. Walk the Forodhani Gardens at dusk for the night food market. Visit the Old Slave Market and the Anglican Cathedral built on the site of the slave whipping post. See the Palace Museum and the House of Wonders (the first building in East Africa with electricity and an elevator, currently undergoing reconstruction after partial collapse in 2020). Tour the Freddie Mercury birthplace house. Browse the spice and curio markets at Darajani. A 2-night stop in Stone Town before heading to the beach is essential — flying directly to a beach resort and skipping Stone Town misses half the island's value.
Choosing your beach
The choice of beach defines your Zanzibar experience. Nungwi (north) has the best swimming year-round (the only Zanzibar beach where the tide doesn't pull out kilometres), the most lively atmosphere, and the most accommodation. Kendwa (north-west, next to Nungwi) is the calmer alternative — same swimming, fewer bars, the famous Kendwa Rocks full-moon party once a month. Matemwe (north-east) is quieter and lined with luxury and honeymoon-tier resorts; Mnemba Atoll snorkelling is offshore. Pongwe and Kiwengwa (east) are quiet honeymoon-style. Paje and Jambiani (south-east) are the kitesurfing centres — strong winds June to September. Bwejuu and Michamvi (south-east) are the upmarket-quiet end. For a 3-night family beach: Nungwi or Kendwa. For honeymoon: Matemwe or Pongwe. For kitesurfing: Paje. For luxury: Mnemba Island itself ($2,000+ per person per night).
Mnemba Atoll snorkelling and diving
Mnemba Atoll, off the north-east coast, is Zanzibar's marine highlight — a tiny private island surrounded by a coral reef that is one of the best snorkelling locations in East Africa. Day-trip snorkelling boats from Matemwe and Kiwengwa cost $50–80 per person and deliver 2–3 hours in the water with reef fish, sea turtles, and (October to February) the chance of bottlenose dolphin and whale shark encounters. Dive operators in Nungwi and Matemwe run trips to Mnemba and Leven Bank wall dives for $80–120 per dive. The reef is the same Indian Ocean ecosystem as the Maldives at a fraction of the cost.
Spice tour and Jozani Forest
Zanzibar's nickname 'Spice Islands' is not marketing — clove, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla and pepper plantations cover the central uplands and a half-day spice tour ($15–25 per person) is a genuine highlight. Guides walk you through the plantations identifying every spice in its raw form, climbing trees to drop coconuts and breaking open vanilla pods. Jozani Forest, in the centre of the island, is the only home of the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkey — 2,000 of them live in the 50 km² forest reserve and a 1-hour guided walk gets you within 5 metres of feeding troops. Combine spice tour and Jozani in a single day from Stone Town for $40–60 per person.
Best time to visit
Zanzibar has two dry seasons. June through October is cool-dry, the most popular tourist season, perfect for diving and snorkelling. December through February is hot-dry, best for beach and water activities, peak honeymoon season. The long rains (March–May) bring heavy daily rain and many smaller resorts close — only the bigger hotels stay open. The short rains (November) bring shorter afternoon storms and excellent value. Year-round daytime temperatures are 26–32 °C. Sea temperature stays 25–29 °C all year. Whale shark season is October to February, mostly off the south coast and Mafia Island.
Where to stay
Stone Town options include Emerson Spice ($120–200), Tembo House ($100–180), and the iconic Zanzibar Serena Inn ($200–350). Beach options are tiered. Mid-range ($150–300 per person all-inclusive): Diamonds Star of the East (Nungwi), Sandies Mapenzi (Kiwengwa), Karafuu Beach Resort (Pingwe). Comfort ($350–600): Riu Palace (Nungwi), Royal Zanzibar (Nungwi), The Residence (Kizimkazi). Luxury ($600–1,200): Zuri Zanzibar (Kendwa), Baraza Resort (Bwejuu), Tulia Zanzibar (Pongwe). Ultra-luxury ($1,200+): &Beyond Mnemba Island (the entire island), Park Hyatt Zanzibar (Stone Town), Xanadu Villas. Honeymoon-specialist resorts include Tulia, Baraza and Zuri.
Dhow cruises, sunset bars and food
A sunset dhow cruise is the iconic Zanzibar experience — a 90-minute sail on a traditional wooden dhow with a small group, often including snorkelling stops, cold drinks and a sunset over the Indian Ocean. Most beaches offer it for $25–40 per person; Stone Town's harbour cruises end at the Forodhani night market. The Rock Restaurant — built on a coral pinnacle off Pingwe Beach and only reachable by walking through the surf at low tide or by a 30-second boat trip at high tide — is the most photographed restaurant in East Africa and worth the $80 lunch for the experience. Forodhani Gardens night market in Stone Town is the food highlight: Zanzibar pizza (a stuffed crepe), grilled seafood skewers, sugar-cane juice and the freshest catch of the day.
Practical info: visa, vaccines, transfers
Tanzania tourist visa is required and applies to Zanzibar — $50 for most nationalities, $100 for US passport holders, available on arrival or via e-visa. Yellow fever certificate required if you've been in a yellow-fever country (most safari travellers transiting through Kenya need this). Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for Zanzibar even though risk is lower than mainland Tanzania. Most international travellers arrive via Doha (Qatar Airways direct) or via Nairobi/Dar es Salaam connections. Internal flights from Arusha (after a Tanzanian safari) are 1 hour on Coastal Aviation, Auric Air or Air Tanzania for $200–280 per person. Transfer from Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) to north-coast beaches is 60–75 minutes by road; arrange through your hotel for $40–60 per car.
