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Beach holidays in Zanzibar
Beach holidays in Zanzibar
Beach holidays in Zanzibar
Beach holidays in Zanzibar
Beach holidays in Zanzibar
Beach holidays in Zanzibar

Zanzibar beach holidays

Our favourite places for beach holidays in Zanzibar

Zanzibar provides some of the top destinations for beach holidays, with endless stretches of palm-fringed, white powdery beach, shallow turquoise waters and laidback beach retreats.

During extensive research trips, we have visited virtually every beach, lodge and hotel on Zanzibar (over 350 of them!). Then we have carefully picked the most promising to include in our programme.

Kilindi

With a 500m stretch of white sand, the beach is a main feature at Kilindi. The location on the north-west coast means that sun sets over the sea - a unique feature for the east coast, which creates wonderful evening scenery.


Matemwe Lodge

Get equipment for a long reef walks, snorkelling and kayaking at the water sport centre on Matemwe’s pretty white sandy beach. You can even walk to the village and join a local fishing trip for a unique holiday experience.


White Sand Villas

Contemporary and luxurious, White Sand Villas sits on a beautiful coastline, ideal for a beach break in Zanzibar. Here you can enjoy a stroll along the beach and watch the kitesurfers skim across the waves – or join them!


Matemwe Lodge

Get equipment for a long reef walks, snorkelling and kayaking at the water sport centre on Matemwe’s pretty white sandy beach. You can even walk to the village and join a local fishing trip for a unique holiday experience.


Zuri Zanzibar

Located in the north west of Zanzibar, Zuri Zanzibar sits on a beautiful stretch of palm fringed beach. This area of the island is less tidal than Zanzibar's east coast meaning that you can swim in the sea throughout the day.


Qambani

Tucked away at the northern tip of the Michamvi Peninsula, Qambani boasts a wide expanse of quiet beaches and blue waters. It is a fantastic spot to lie back, relax and enjoy your surroundings on a beach holiday in Zanzibar.


Tulia Zanzibar

For a totally relaxing, luxury beach break, with excellent cuisine, Tulia Resort is hard to beat. The location is serene, the sea is often crystal clear for snorkelling and diving, and the pools and waterslides are fun.

Our most recent reviews of beach holidays in Zanzibar

Detailed, un-edited reviews from our Zanzibar travellers whose trips we tailored towards beach holidays. Click below to read the traveller's full review, and see all the reviews of our Zanzibar beach holidays here.


99%
19 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
18
Good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
JC from USA

Arrived 28 Jan 2025, 7 nights

"My Jan 2025 trip"

"I never use travel agents as I am in the industry myself... but am converted. …" Read JC’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Dr and Mrs P from Hants

Arrived 27 Jan 2025, 16 nights

"My Jan 2025 trip"

"A wonderful trip - I would recommend Expert Africa very highly …" Read Dr and Mrs P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms J from Wales

Arrived 9 Jun 2018, 14 nights

"My relaxation trip"

Overall rating: Excellent

Traveller1003 from UK

Arrived 18 Jan 2017, 13 nights

"Trip to Zanzibar, January 2017"

"We would thoroughly recommend Expert Africa …" Read Traveller1003’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs D from Cheltenham

Arrived 16 Oct 2016, 9 nights

"My Oct 2016 Zanzibar trip"

"The trip was very good.. …" Read Mrs D’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr P from Dubai

Arrived 6 Aug 2016, 16 nights

"My Aug 2016 trip"

"My Aug 2016 trip - cool and relaxing …" Read Mr P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

L family from Texas

Arrived 17 Oct 2015, 7 nights

"Zanzibar October 2015"

"All arrangements were correct and we experienced no problems... …" Read L family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs D from Surrey

Arrived 4 Jul 2015, 15 nights

"Our trip to the Mafia archipelago"

"An amazing trip... Very impressed by Expert Africa. …" Read Mr & Mrs D’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Best camps & lodges for Beach holidays in Zanzibar


Mnemba Island Lodge

Mnemba Island Lodge

Mnemba Island Lodge is the ultimate remote, exclusive beach retreat. It's relaxing and laid-back, with high standards that are delightfully understated. It is costly, but the beaches are stunning and it will a fabulous beach holiday in Tanzania.


96% (11 reviews)
Matemwe Retreat

Matemwe Retreat

Many guests at Matemwe Retreat will stay in their villa, but a short walk away, the Retreat’s private beach usually has crystal clear water and, at high tide, it’s great for swimming. Relax on the beach or snorkel with the PADI dive centre.


90% (10 reviews)
Zoi Boutique Hotel

Zoi Hotel

Located on a pretty beach, typical of Zanzibar’s east coast, Zoi Boutique Hotel is a good-value lodge which is colourful and vibrant. Away from the beach’s attractions, it has pleasant gardens and a relaxed lounge and cocktail bar.


84% (5 reviews)
Unguja Lodge

Unguja Lodge

Unguja Lodge doesn’t have one of Zanzibar’s endless long white beaches, but it is in a quiet, secluded location. Dive or snorkel straight from the beach to explore the coral cliff for a special holiday experience in East Africa.


92% (79 reviews)
Xanadu Villas

Xanadu Villas

Xanadu Villas exudes peace, tranquillity, and provides an idyllic setting for a romantic honeymoon on Zanzibar. Stroll along the beach, indulge in a massage, or enjoy a gourmet meal in the privacy of your own exquisite villa.


100% (3 reviews)
Breezes Beach Club

Breezes Beach Club

Breezes Beach Club sits on a pretty stretch of beach on the Michamvi Peninsula. With plenty of loungers, a large swimming pool and a water-sports centre it is the location for a great beach holidays particularly for families.


91% (39 reviews)
Zuri Zanzibar

Zuri Zanzibar

Located in the north west of Zanzibar, Zuri Zanzibar sits on a beautiful stretch of palm fringed beach. This area of the island is less tidal than Zanzibar's east coast meaning that you can swim in the sea throughout the day.


95% (11 reviews)
Kilindi

Kilindi

With a 500m stretch of white sand, the beach is a main feature at Kilindi. The location on the north-west coast means that sun sets over the sea - a unique feature for the east coast, which creates wonderful evening scenery.


97% (24 reviews)
Qambani

Qambani

Tucked away at the northern tip of the Michamvi Peninsula, Qambani boasts a wide expanse of quiet beaches and blue waters. It is a fantastic spot to lie back, relax and enjoy your surroundings on a beach holiday in Zanzibar.


94% (14 reviews)
Baraza Resort & Spa

Baraza Resort & Spa

Baraza sits on a beautiful long stretch of sandy white palm fringed beach on the Michamvi Peninsula. With plenty of comfy loungers, a very large swimming pool and a great water sports centre it is a fantastic beach getaway.


94% (14 reviews)
Matemwe Lodge

Matemwe Lodge

Get equipment for a long reef walks, snorkelling and kayaking at the water sport centre on Matemwe’s pretty white sandy beach. You can even walk to the village and join a local fishing trip for a unique holiday experience.


89% (45 reviews)
Pongwe Beach Hotel

Pongwe Beach Hotel

Pongwe has one of the best beaches we have ever seen in Zanzibar. When the tide is high, Pongwe sits in a private cove. Then when it goes out, a wonderful stretch of inter-tidal zone is revealed for walking and exploring.


95% (96 reviews)
White Sand Villas

White Sand Villas

Contemporary and luxurious, White Sand Villas sits on a beautiful coastline, ideal for a beach break in Zanzibar. Here you can enjoy a stroll along the beach and watch the kitesurfers skim across the waves – or join them!


100% (6 reviews)
Tulia Zanzibar

Tulia Zanzibar

For a totally relaxing, luxury beach break, with excellent cuisine, Tulia Resort is hard to beat. The location is serene, the sea is often crystal clear for snorkelling and diving, and the pools and waterslides are fun.


No reviews yet

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