Zanzibar

Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar — a labyrinth of narrow alleys, crumbling coral-stone buildings, and ornately carved wooden doors that tell the story of centuries of trade between Africa, Arabia, India, and Europe. It's compact enough to explore on foot, and getting slightly lost is part of the experience. The architecture shifts from former sultan palaces to old merchant houses, with rooftop restaurants and spice-scented courtyards tucked into every corner.

The Forodhani Gardens night food market is a must — locals and visitors crowd around grills loaded with Zanzibar pizza, octopus skewers, sugar cane juice, and fresh seafood. The Old Fort, House of Wonders, and the Anglican Cathedral (built on the site of the old slave market) are all within walking distance. For a different perspective, a sunset dhow cruise from the harbour puts the Stone Town skyline against the Indian Ocean horizon.

Most guests spend one or two nights in Stone Town at the start or end of their Zanzibar stay. The best properties here are boutique heritage hotels — restored merchants' houses with rooftop pools, courtyard dining, and a sense of place you won't find at a beach resort. It's a genuine cultural immersion and the perfect contrast to the beaches that follow.

The north coast is where most first-time visitors to Zanzibar head, and for good reason. Nungwi and Kendwa sit at the northern tip of the island where the tides are gentlest — you can swim at any time of day without the water retreating hundreds of metres, which is a real consideration on Zanzibar's east coast. The sand is white, the water is warm year-round, and the sunsets from this stretch of coastline are among the best in East Africa.

Nungwi is the larger of the two and has a fishing village atmosphere alongside its resort strip. The Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium is a small sea turtle conservation project worth visiting, and the dhow-building yard on the beach gives a glimpse of traditional boat construction that's been practised here for centuries. Kendwa, just south, is quieter and more resort-focused — it's the spot for pure relaxation, beach bars, and the occasional full-moon party that draws visitors from across the island.

This coast suits couples, honeymooners, and anyone who wants guaranteed swimming conditions and a social-but-not-overwhelming beach scene. It's also the jumping-off point for half-day snorkelling trips to Mnemba Atoll and dolphin excursions.

The east coast has a completely different character to the north. The tides here are dramatic — at low water, the sea pulls back to expose vast sandy flats dotted with seaweed farms and tidal pools, and women wade out in colourful kanga wraps to tend their plots. At high tide, the turquoise water floods back in and the beach transforms. It's more raw, more local, and more visually striking than anywhere else on the island.

Paje is the kitesurfing capital of East Africa. Flat, shallow water at low tide and consistent winds from June through September (and again December–February) make it one of the best spots in the world to learn or progress. Even if you don't kite, Paje has a young, active energy with beach cafés, boutique guesthouses, and restaurants that lean more boho than resort. Jambiani, further south, is quieter still — a long stretch of working fishing village where you can watch the catch come in, visit a local seaweed farm, and barely see another tourist.

Michamvi, on the peninsula between east and south, offers something in between — a handful of upscale lodges with views over both the lagoon and the open ocean, and some of the most photogenic sandbars on Zanzibar. The east coast suits repeat visitors, independent travellers, and anyone who prefers texture and authenticity over a polished all-inclusive experience.

Mnemba Atoll is a small coral island surrounded by a marine conservation area about 3 kilometres off the northeast coast. The snorkelling here is some of the best in East Africa — warm, clear water with visibility often reaching 20 metres or more, and a reef teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, moray eels, and reef sharks. It's accessible as a half-day boat trip from Nungwi, Kendwa, or Matemwe, and most operators include basic snorkel gear and a stop on a sandbank for lunch.

For divers, Mnemba offers wall dives, coral gardens, and the chance to spot bottlenose dolphins on the boat ride out. Between October and February, whale sharks pass through the waters off the north and east coast — swimming alongside a whale shark is one of those encounters that stays with you. The season is weather-dependent and sightings aren't guaranteed, but when conditions are right, Zanzibar is one of the most accessible places in the world for this experience.

Menai Bay Conservation Area covers the southwest coast and is less visited than Mnemba but equally rewarding. Dolphin trips depart from Kizimkazi village at the southern tip — pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins are seen year-round. The bay also offers sandbank picnics, mangrove kayaking, and a more off-the-beaten-track feel. We tend to recommend Menai Bay for guests who've been to Zanzibar before or who want to avoid the busier northern routes.