Stone Town · Beach · Spice Island · Dolphins
The beach finish to a Tanzania safari, or a week on the island on its own, planned from the Gold Coast and priced in US dollars.
Five stars. 5.0 on Google and Tripadvisor37 five-star reviews, every one of them
Historic Stone Town · White-sand beaches · Coral reefs
Zanzibar is where a Tanzania safari meets the Indian Ocean. Stone Town is a living museum of coral-stone lanes and carved doors, the air thick with clove and cardamom, and beyond it lie powder-soft beaches, turquoise water and reefs minutes from shore. It's a beach and culture stop, not a big-game one. The wildlife is on the mainland, which is why most of our guests come here at the end of a Tanzania safari, though a week on the island on its own works well too.
Stone TownNorth coast beachesMnemba snorkelingSpice farmsSafari BlueWho you're dealing with
We're an Australian company on the Gold Coast. We plan the whole trip, book it, and look after you from the first call to the flight home, on one contract and one invoice from Kingse Safaris Pty Ltd (ABN 37 698 821 886). On the island we book your hotels and arrange every transfer between the airport, Stone Town and your beach, and we say honestly which coast suits your month.
How booking works →
In a guest's words
Deciding to go to Africa at relatively short notice was a challenge for us, but no problem for Jackson.
Zanzibar, Coast to Coast
Scroll, and the map follows you around the island.
The cultural heart · First stop
A UNESCO-listed maze of coral-stone lanes, carved doors and Swahili, Arab and Indian history. Not a beach, and the water in front of the old town isn't for swimming, but it deserves a night or two for the food, the architecture, the markets and a rooftop dinner.
Best monthsAll year; cooler June to OctoberFrom the airportAbout 15 minutes by road
More on Stone Town
Nungwi, Kendwa and Matemwe · Second stop
Sheltered from the southeast trade winds, so it's the most reliably swimmable coast all year, with long sunsets. It's also the busier side, with more resorts.
Best monthsAll year; calmest when the east is breezyFrom Stone TownAbout an hour and a half by road
More on the beaches
Paje, Pongwe, Bwejuu and Michamvi · Third stop
Long reef-protected stretches of shallow water, breezier and quieter than the north, with kitesurfing from June to October and the most photogenic water from November to February. Seaweed collects at low tide in some months.
Best monthsNovember to February for calm, clear waterFrom Stone TownAbout an hour by road
More on the beaches
Reefs, turtles and dolphins · A day on the water
Snorkeling over coral reefs, green turtles and dolphins, with Mnemba Atoll the standout off the north-east coast. Snorkeling needs no certification, and the surface is never far above you.
Best monthsJune to October for the clearest waterFrom the north-east coastA boat day trip from Matemwe or Nungwi
More on the marine lifeMap tiles: Esri, National Geographic. Locations are indicative.
Cultural Heart
Stone Town is Zanzibar's oldest settlement and its cultural epicenter. This UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves centuries of history in its architecture, carved coral stone buildings with ornate wooden doors, narrow alleyways, and buildings that blend Swahili, Arab, Indian, and Portuguese influences into something uniquely Zanzibari.
The town is best explored on foot. Wander past spice markets perfumed with clove, cardamom, and vanilla. Visit the Arab Fort, built in the 1700s. Climb the steps of the House of Wonders, the tallest building in East Africa when it was constructed. Sit in a café and watch life unfold. The town reveals itself gradually. There is no route map, just the pleasure of discovery in every winding street.
Evening is when Stone Town comes alive. Dinner on a rooftop overlooking the harbor, with the muezzin's call floating through the air and the lights of fishing boats dotting the water. The pace is slow, the atmosphere is intimate, and the food is exceptional, a blend of African, Arab, and Indian cuisines born from centuries of trade.
Paradise Shores
Zanzibar's beaches are among the most beautiful in the Indian Ocean. Powder-soft white sand, turquoise water, and swaying palms create the archetypal tropical image. But Zanzibar's beaches offer more than aesthetics. They are gateways to coral reefs and a world of marine life.
The north and east coasts have different characters. The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, is sheltered from the southeast trade winds and is the most reliably swimmable stretch all year. The east, around Paje, Pongwe and Bwejuu, has long reef-protected stretches of shallow water, but from June to October the winds make it breezier and choppier, and the tide pulls the sea well out on some beaches. South beaches are wilder, with strong currents and dramatic coastal scenery.
Many beaches have restaurants, simple stone structures where you can order fresh fish caught that morning, or stay for sunset and watch the fishing dhows sail past silhouetted against the fading light. Zanzibar is small enough to day-trip between coasts, so we usually base you at one beach hotel for the whole stay. Moving every two nights adds logistics without adding much. Our when to go to Zanzibar guide picks the coast for your month.
Ocean Wonders
The waters around Zanzibar are teeming with life. The coral reefs support hundreds of fish species, from tiny damselfish to meters-long grouper. Sea turtles are common, snorkel in any reef area and you will almost certainly encounter them gliding serenely through the shallows. Dolphins patrol the deeper waters, and boat trips frequently encounter them feeding early in the morning.
Snorkeling needs no certification, and the surface is never far above you. Most beach hotels and tour operators offer snorkeling trips, either from the beach or by boat to distant reefs. The underwater world here is colorful, diverse, and accessible to anyone who can swim.
How to Experience It
Beach days shape most of a Zanzibar stay. Around them, these are the experiences we add, depending on where you stay and how long you have.
Explore pristine coral reefs and encounter sea turtles and colorful fish. Shallow, clear water keeps you close to the reef.
Walk through plantations of clove, cardamom, vanilla, and nutmeg. Smell the spices, taste the fruit, learn how they are harvested. An immersive introduction to the trade that shaped Zanzibar's history.
Early morning boat trips to encounter bottlenose and spinner dolphins. The standard tour sends crowded boats chasing pods, so we steer guests to a private dhow that leaves before sunrise and watches from the water.
Navigate the narrow lanes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit historic buildings, wander the spice markets, and explore centuries of Swahili architecture and culture.
A legendary day trip by traditional dhow. Snorkel in shallow reefs, swim in the ocean, and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on a sandbar in the middle of the sea.
How a Zanzibar Trip Comes Together
Three shapes for Zanzibar. As a three or four night beach finish to a safari, as a stand-alone week, or as the beach half of a 13-night Tanzania trip. We don't sell fixed Zanzibar packages, so each one is priced to your dates.
3 to 4 nights
Post-safari unwind
Three or four beach nights after a Tanzania safari. One Stone Town overnight is optional, then a beach base on the east (Paje, Bwejuu) or north (Nungwi, Kendwa) coast. The standard safari decompression.
Per person$1,700 to $2,800Typically about $2,200, including the flight from the safari, hotel and transfers
From the safari · Fly to ZanzibarLast day · Fly home
7 nights
Stone Town + beach week
Two Stone Town nights for spice tours, Prison Island and the Forodhani Gardens night market, then five beach nights with an optional Mnemba snorkel day trip and a Safari Blue dhow excursion.
PricingQuoted to your datesFlights from the US are extra
Day 1 · Land at ZanzibarDay 8 · Fly home
13 nights · Sweet spot
Northern Circuit + a beach finish
The Kingse default for honeymooners and families. A week or more through Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, then a Stone Town overnight and three or four beach nights to close.
Per person$7,550 to $10,900Typical 13 nights, from 34 of our 2027 quotes
Day 1 · Land at KilimanjaroDay 14 · Head home
Prices are per person in US dollars for two adults traveling privately, taken from the quotes we've built for 2027, and they don't include flights from the US. A simple beach hotel sits at the lower end of the add-on range and higher-end resorts at about $2,950. Zanzibar's infrastructure tax ($5 per person per night) is paid locally. See what an African safari costs and real trips with the real prices.
See the 10-Day HoneymoonWhere You Could Stay
The 50 hotels, resorts and lodges we recommend and use on Zanzibar and Pemba, grouped by coast in the order you'd meet them. The north has calmer water and busier resorts, the east is breezier and quieter, and Stone Town deserves a night or two. The final selection flexes around your dates and availability. More on our Stays page.
Not a beach, and the water in front of the old town isn't for swimming. But it deserves a night or two for the food, the architecture, the markets and a rooftop dinner.
Stone Town
Couples and culture lovers wanting luxury in historic Stone Town
Ultra Luxury
Stone Town
Budget-conscious travelers wanting an authentic Stone Town base before or after safari
Classic
Stone Town
Historic seafront heritage stay in Stone Town
Premium
Stone Town
An atmospheric heritage base in the heart of Stone Town, before or after safari
Premium
8 hotels
Nungwi, Kendwa and Matemwe. Sheltered from the southeast trade winds, so it's the most reliably swimmable coast all year, with long sunsets. It's also the busier side, with more resorts.
Kendwa
Couples and honeymooners wanting privacy and barefoot luxury
Ultra Luxury
Kendwa
Couples and families wanting a relaxed luxury beach finish
Luxury
Nungwi
Quiet boutique beachfront near Nungwi's lighthouse and house reef
Premium
Kendwa
Couples and honeymooners wanting a barefoot-luxury beach finish after safari
Ultra Luxury12 hotels and resorts
Paje, Pongwe, Bwejuu and Michamvi. Breezier and quieter, with kitesurfing from June to October and the most photogenic water from November to February. Seaweed collects at low tide in some months.
Paje
Couples and honeymooners wanting a polished all-inclusive beach finale
Ultra Luxury
Kiwengwa
All-inclusive beach vacations for families and couples on Kiwengwa
Premium
Michamvi
Honeymooners and couples wanting an intimate, exclusive beachfront retreat
Luxury
Bwejuu
Couples and honeymooners wanting a relaxed beach resort to end a safari
Premium
East coast
Couples and honeymooners seeking total seclusion on overwater villas with direct ocean access
Ultra Luxury
Pingwe
Large full-service beach resort with rare swim-at-low-tide access
Premium
Michamvi
Secluded private-villa retreat with plunge pools and overwater suites
Luxury
East coast
Quiet, design-led beach escape for couples and families
Premium
Matemwe
Couples and families wanting a refined five-star all-inclusive beach finish on a quieter stretch of Zanzibar's north-east coast
Ultra Luxury
Bwejuu
Couples and honeymooners wanting a private, secluded beach hideaway
Ultra Luxury
Pongwe
Couples and honeymooners wanting quiet boutique beach luxury
Luxury
Stone Town
Budget-conscious travelers wanting a beachfront base near Stone Town and the airport
Classic
Paje
Barefoot Relais & Châteaux luxury with private plunge pools at Paje
Ultra Luxury
Michamvi
Honeymooners and couples seeking an intimate barefoot-luxury beach finish
Ultra Luxury26 hotels and resorts
The quiet, natural side of the island near Fumba, closest to Stone Town and the Safari Blue dhow day.
Fumba Beach
A quiet, natural beach escape on Zanzibar's secluded southwest coast after safari
Premium1 lodges
Zanzibar's quieter sister island, a short flight north, for a castaway finish with reefs on the doorstep.
3 resorts
50 hotels, resorts and lodges across five areas, with the same comfort levels as our Stays page. Names open each property's own website.
Plan Your Visit
The island has its own weather, separate from the mainland. June to October is the cool, dry peak, December to February is warm and calm, and mid-March to May is the one stretch to avoid. Choose a month below to see what the sea is doing. Our Zanzibar best time to visit guide goes month by month.
What the island is doing
Warm and calm
Hot, with flat calm seas and light winds, so both coasts swim well. Quieter than December, with the same conditions at lower prices, though underwater visibility is a little lower than in the cool season.
March is a transitional month and can still be pleasant, especially in the first half.
Peak season
Cool, dry and clear · Best for the water
The coolest, driest months, with sunny days, cooler nights and the clearest water of the year, which makes it prime snorkeling season. The southeast trade winds cool the island and are perfect for dhow sailing. It's also the busiest time, so book accommodation and activities early.
Best for snorkeling, sailing and a safari finish
Warm months
Hot and warm-watered · Calm seas · Lower prices
Temperatures reach 82 to 88°F, the sea is flat and calm and the winds are light, so both coasts are good for swimming. December is the island's second busiest period. January and February are quieter, with the same conditions at lower prices, though underwater visibility is typically a little lower than in the cool season.
Best for swimming on either coast, and for value
Rainy seasons
Long rains · Short rains · Lush landscapes · Fewer visitors
The long rains (masika) run from mid-March to May and bring the island's heaviest rainfall. April and May are the wettest, with sustained rain across several days, and some properties close. Prices drop by 30 to 50%, but it's the riskiest window for a beach vacation. The short rains (vuli) arrive in November and usually clear by mid-December, and November and December are the best value once they do. The one mismatch to avoid is finishing a safari in April or May and expecting a reliable beach.
Best avoided for a beach in April and May; good value in November
From the US
Zanzibar is easiest as the end of a Tanzania safari, but it's reachable on its own too. Here's the shape of it. Our Tanzania safari from the US guide covers the flights in more detail.
Step one
From the US you'll connect at least once. You fly out of your own airport and we build the connections around it.
Step two
For Tanzania, the usual hubs from the US are Addis Ababa, Amsterdam, Doha, Istanbul and Zurich, or Kenya Airways' nonstop from New York to Nairobi. Most of our guests skip this step entirely and arrive from a Tanzania safari instead.
Step three
Abeid Amani Karume International, on the island's west side close to Stone Town. We meet you at the door.
From the safari: light aircraft from the Serengeti, or about 3 hours via Dar es SalaamFirst night
We arrange the transfer from the airport. Stone Town is about 15 minutes away, the north and east coasts an hour to an hour and a half. If you've landed from a safari, dinner on a rooftop is the whole plan.
UTC+3 all year · 7 to 11 hours ahead of the US| Via | Airline | Note |
|---|---|---|
| From a Tanzania safari | Light aircraft from the Serengeti | The easy way: safari first, beach second. Or about three hours via Dar es Salaam from Arusha. |
| Addis Ababa, Istanbul or Doha | Ethiopian, Turkish or Qatar | Hubs that serve Zanzibar. Expect at least one connection from the US. |
| Other hubs | Connections we compare | Can work too, depending on your dates. |
We lock the hotels, then the flights. In the June to October peak and over December the best beach hotels book out first, so six to twelve months ahead is ideal. Once your deposit is in, we place your hotels, the island flight and the transfers together, and that's the time to take out your travel insurance.
Most of our guests arrive from a safari, which is the easy way: a short light aircraft flight from the Serengeti, or roughly three hours door to door from Arusha or Kilimanjaro via Dar es Salaam. If you're flying from the US, allow for at least one connection. We compare the routes and fares when we build your trip.
Zanzibar runs on the same time as the mainland, UTC+3 all year, with no daylight saving. That's eight hours ahead of New York in winter and seven during daylight saving, and eleven hours ahead of Los Angeles in winter and ten in summer.
The Practical Bits
The short version of what to sort before you fly. For visas and anything medical we point you to the official sources, starting with the State Department.
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, and US passports need a visa to enter, the multiple-entry one at $100, valid for a year, applied for online before you travel. One visa covers the mainland and Zanzibar. Immigration staff on the island can still check passports when you arrive from the mainland. Since October 17, 2026, every arriving traveler also fills in Tanzania's health surveillance form, before you fly or on arrival. Rules change, so check the State Department's Tanzania page and the official eVisa site. We send the links in your pre-departure pack.
Malaria and yellow fever are medical questions for your doctor. On yellow fever, we generally tell people the vaccine is worth having, as one shot lasts a lifetime, but your doctor always has the last say. Book a travel doctor or a telehealth appointment early and take your full itinerary. You won't need a yellow fever certificate flying straight from the US, but Tanzania asks for one if you arrive from a yellow fever country, including after more than 12 hours in transit there. Your travel insurance needs to cover medical evacuation. The CDC's Tanzania page lists the current health risks.
Standards of dress and behavior are conservative, especially in Zanzibar, so cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and outside resorts. Alcohol is available at resorts and most Stone Town restaurants. Government advice changes, so read the State Department's latest Tanzania travel advisory before you book.
Local purchases are made in Tanzanian shillings, so carry some from the mainland if you are arriving from safari. Zanzibar's infrastructure tax is $5 per person per night, collected by your hotel at check-in. Many resorts take cards, and it's worth saving US dollars for tips on safari rather than spending them here.
Light, breathable clothes, a cover-up for Stone Town, a hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft to the island work to around 15 kilograms (33 pounds) including carry-on, in soft-sided bags. Our packing list covers the safari half.
A beach finish of three or four nights adds about $1,700 to $2,800 per person, typically around $2,200, including the flight from the safari. Our cost guide has the detail, and every stay is priced to your dates.
Go Further
Zanzibar is the beach at the end of a safari. These are the three pairings we get asked about most.
Safari first
The pairing most of our guests choose: a week or more through Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, then the island. A typical 13-night trip comes to $7,550 to $10,900 per person, including the flight from the safari.
Two countries, then the beach
A few nights in the Mara or Amboseli, across the border to the Serengeti, then Zanzibar to finish. Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar together run 16 to 17 nights at $14,700 to $17,200 per person across six of our 2027 quotes.
Falls, then the beach
Tanzania, Victoria Falls and Zanzibar together run 15 to 16 nights at $10,100 to $12,400 per person across six of our quotes: the Serengeti, the Falls, then the island to finish.
The Practical Questions
The questions travelers ask us most about Zanzibar, grouped by topic.
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Go Deeper
Long-form guides that help you decide before you commit. Real numbers, real photos, no fluff.
Straight numbers help you decide before you commit. See what an African safari costs, what a Tanzania safari costs, real trips with the real prices and how booking works.
Keep Exploring
The same way of traveling, in other corners of Africa.
Start Planning
Tell us your dates and who's traveling, and we'll plan the island around you: Stone Town for the history, the right coast for your month, and a beach finish that follows your safari. Real prices, in US dollars.
Five stars. 5.0 on Google and Tripadvisor37 five-star reviews, every one of them
“It was perfect from start to finish.”
Email us or book a call
Samara looks after our guests from the US. Email her or book a call at a time that suits you, or message her on WhatsApp, and she'll come back to you the same day, US time.
Samara Imhoof
Bookings & Client Care
Whether you're just kicking around ideas or already booked. Dates, lodges, costs, changes, payments, flights.
Jackson Potter
Founder
Lodges, agents, media, or anything commercial. This one comes straight to me.
Not sure who to ask? [email protected] reaches the whole team.
