Zanzibar Beach Holidays

Zanzibar: White Sand, Spice & Swahili Soul

Powder-white beaches, turquoise lagoons and the winding alleys of Stone Town. Unwind after a safari or plan a full island honeymoon — we know the best spots.

  • 1 hr flight from Arusha
  • 26–32°C all year
  • UNESCO Stone Town
The Spice Island

More Than a Beach Holiday

Zanzibar is a short flight from Arusha or the Serengeti, making it the natural finale to a Tanzania safari. Snorkel coral reefs, sail on traditional dhows, explore spice farms and get lost in the alleys of Stone Town.

We match you to the right coast: Nungwi & Kendwa for swimming at all tides and sunsets, Paje & Jambiani for kite-surfing and village life, Matemwe for quiet luxury near Mnemba Atoll.

Zanzibar Packages

Zanzibar Holiday Ideas

Private island holidays, honeymoons and safari-and-beach combinations — every package can be extended or combined with a safari.

4 Days
Zanzibar Holiday

Stone Town, Nungwi

Two sides of Zanzibar in four days: the history of Stone Town and the white sands of Nungwi.

5 Days
Zanzibar Holiday

Kendwa / Nungwi

Five easy days of beach, reef and island-hopping on Zanzibar’s north and south-west coasts.

6 DaysHoneymoon
Zanzibar Holiday

Stone Town, Matemwe or Paje

A romantic island honeymoon with boutique hotels, private experiences and plenty of time to simply be together.

3 Days
Zanzibar Holiday

Stone Town, Prison Island

Short on time? See Zanzibar’s best highlights in three days – ideal as a safari add-on.

9 DaysBush & Beach
Tanzania Safari

5-day safari + 4 days beach

Five days of big-game safari followed by four barefoot days on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches.

Top Experiences

Best Things to Do in Zanzibar

From the alleys of Stone Town to coral reefs and sandbanks — our favourite island experiences.

Stone Town Walking Tour

Carved doors, the Old Fort, House of Wonders, Darajani Market and the moving Slave Market memorial.

3 hoursAll year

Spice Farm Tour

Taste cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon straight from the plant — the reason Zanzibar is the Spice Island.

3 hoursAll year

Safari Blue

Dhow sailing to sandbanks, snorkelling, a seafood feast on Kwale Island and a natural lagoon.

Full dayJun–Mar

Mnemba Atoll Snorkelling

Crystal-clear water, coral gardens, turtles and — often — pods of dolphins.

Half dayJun–Mar

Jozani Forest

Meet the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey and walk the mangrove boardwalk.

2–3 hoursAll year

Nakupenda Sandbank

A strip of white sand in the middle of the ocean — picnic, swim and snorkel.

Half dayAll year

Sunset Dhow Cruise

Sail on a traditional wooden dhow as the sun drops into the Indian Ocean.

2 hoursAll year

The Rock & Forodhani Food Market

Dine on a rock in the sea, then taste Zanzibar pizza and grilled seafood at Forodhani.

EveningAll year

Kizimkazi Dolphins & Diving

Swim near dolphins in the south, or dive the reefs and wrecks with a PADI centre.

Half dayJun–Mar
Island & Ocean Life

Iconic Wildlife of Zanzibar

Zanzibar is not only beaches — look out for these island specials on land and at sea.

01

Zanzibar Red Colobus

Endemic monkey found only on the island

02

Bottlenose Dolphin

Pods play off Kizimkazi and Mnemba

03

Green Sea Turtle

Nest on Mnemba and feed on the reefs

04

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Some over 100 years old on Prison Island

05

Humpback Whale

Pass the coast between July and October

06

Coconut Crab

The world’s largest land crab, on Chumbe & Mnemba

Where to Stay

Zanzibar’s Best Beaches

Each coast has its own character — and the tides matter. We match you to the right one.

Sunsets & swimming

Nungwi

Lively northern tip, swimmable at all tides, dhow builders and beach restaurants.

Calm & family-friendly

Kendwa

Wide soft sand and gentle water — one of the best swimming beaches.

Kite-surfing capital

Paje

East-coast lagoons, a sociable vibe and perfect kite-surf winds.

Village life

Jambiani

Quiet, traditional and laid-back, with seaweed farms at low tide.

Quiet luxury

Matemwe

Peaceful beaches facing Mnemba Atoll — ideal for honeymooners.

Sunsets on the east

Michamvi

A narrow peninsula with both sunrise and sunset views and The Rock nearby.

FAQ

Zanzibar Questions

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

June–October and December–February are dry and sunny. March–May brings the long rains.

Do I need special insurance?

Yes — Zanzibar requires its official inbound travel insurance, bought online before arrival. We share the link when you book.

Which beach is best?

Read our Zanzibar beach guide comparing Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje and Matemwe.

How do I get there from the safari?

Daily flights from Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Serengeti airstrips take 1–2 hours. We book them for you.

Tailor-made in Tanzania

Add Zanzibar to Your Safari

Share your dates, group and dream experiences. A Tobiko trip designer in Arusha replies within 24 hours with a free, fully personalised itinerary and quote — no obligation.