What better place to go than one of the world’s most famous paradise islands? Zanzibar, just a twenty-minute flight east of Dar es Salaam, a forty-minute flight from the Selous, and now, thanks to a new fast service from Coastal Aviation, just two hours from the Serengeti, is home to 90% of Tanzania’s beach accommodation.

Zanzibar has miles of beautiful white sand beaches that are protected by the coral reef that wraps around the majority of the island. There are secluded coves, working beaches where dhow fishermen leave their boats, private stretches of untouched sand, and, equally, stretches of sand with sunbeds as far as the eye can see (which our clients usually avoid!). This is a place where everyone can find something to enjoy.

Except in the far north and south, the western side of the island has little to offer in terms of beaches. The Residence, on the western side of Zanzibar’s southerly tip, is the first lodge/hotel worth noting as you travel anti-clockwise around the coast from Stone Town. Small coves flanked by rocky cliffs are typical of the beaches here; they’re fine, but there are better beaches elsewhere.

A nearly continuous beach stretches from the south of the island to the bottom half of the east coast, almost all the way to the Michamvi Peninsula. Some sections are better than others, but this is one of Zanzibar’s best beaches in some areas. There are numerous excellent lodges in this area, including some of our favorites to the north. On the south east coast, the central village of Paje has become a world center for kite surfing.

The beaches of Kiwengwa and Matemwe dominate the area as it crosses Chwaka Bay towards the upper half of the eastern coast. Some of the island’s largest resorts are located in Kiwengwa (which should be avoided!). Matemwe, on the other hand, is a beautiful stretch of sand with several high-end boutique lodges.

The village of Nungwi is located on Zanzibar’s northern tip, which is widely regarded as the most beautiful part of the island. With some great lodges to the east and a lively backpacker’s area on the west, this once sleepy fishing village is now a travel hotspot.