North Zanzibar — The Island's Best Beaches

North Zanzibar occupies the uppermost tip of Unguja island and encompasses the three distinct beach destinations of Nungwi, Kendwa and Matemwe. The north is widely regarded as the best all-round beach region of the island for one simple and compelling reason: the tidal pattern. Unlike the dramatic low-tide retreats of the east coast, the beaches at Nungwi and Kendwa face predominantly north and west, which means the water remains swimmable throughout the day regardless of the tidal cycle. For travellers planning a short break and wanting guaranteed swimming time, this is an enormous practical advantage that makes the north the most popular destination on the island.

The drive from Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) or Stone Town takes approximately 60–75 minutes by road. The northern road has been improved significantly in recent years and the journey is straightforward. Most hotels and holiday packages include airport transfers, making arrival seamless. The village of Nungwi is the largest settlement in the north and functions as the social and commercial hub, with a concentration of restaurants, beach bars, dive operators and tour agencies clustered along the beach road.

The most common route to North Zanzibar is to fly into Zanzibar International Airport (IATA: ZNZ) — located just south of Stone Town — and take a shared or private transfer north. Shared airport-to-Nungwi transfers cost approximately $10–15 per person and take around 60–90 minutes depending on the number of drop-offs. A private transfer costs $30–50 for the whole vehicle and is faster and more comfortable. All reputable North Zanzibar holiday packages include private airport transfers as standard.

If arriving by ferry from Dar es Salaam, you dock at Stone Town’s port, from which you can arrange an onward taxi or transfer to the north. The ferry crossing takes approximately 2 hours with the fast Kilimanjaro Express service. Travelling light is advisable as storage space on the ferries is limited and departure times are not always punctual.

North Zanzibar can be visited year-round, but the two main dry seasons offer the most reliable conditions. The long dry season runs from June to October — this is the most popular period for beach holidays, with clear skies, low humidity and consistent trade winds. July and August are the peak months and accommodation books up well in advance at the best Nungwi and Kendwa resorts. December and January form a shorter dry season that is almost as popular, particularly for honeymoons and Christmas-and-New-Year holidays.

The long rains (masika) fall from March to May and the short rains (vuli) arrive in November. During these periods the north receives heavy afternoon downpours but mornings are often sunny and prices drop by 20–40%. Matemwe in particular can be excellent during the wetter months as the reef visibility is unaffected and the beach is completely uncrowded. Manta ray sightings off Matemwe peak in October and November.

The accommodation range in North Zanzibar spans every budget tier. Budget travellers can find clean, fan-cooled bandas and guesthouses in Nungwi village for $30–60 per night. The mid-range is dominated by all-inclusive beach resorts — properties like Doubletree by Hilton Nungwi and Flame Tree Cottages sit in this bracket at roughly $150–250 per night. At the luxury end, properties like RiuPalace Zanzibar and Essque Zalu Zanzibar offer five-star facilities with private beach access and infinity pools from $350 upwards per night.

Kendwa offers a slightly more boutique selection. Kendwa Rocks — the original full-moon party venue — remains one of the most characterful properties on the entire island. Matemwe has the most architecturally interesting accommodation: the Matemwe Lodge, Matemwe Retreat and Mnemba Atoll Island (accessible by boat from Matemwe beach) represent three of the finest lodges in East Africa.

Snorkelling and scuba diving are the headline activities across the north. The reefs off Nungwi and Matemwe are in excellent condition and host hawksbill turtles, moray eels, octopus, reef sharks and a dazzling variety of tropical fish. Several PADI dive centres operate from Nungwi beach and offer discover scuba experiences for beginners as well as advanced and technical diving courses. The Mnemba Atoll — a 30-minute boat ride from Matemwe — is consistently rated among the top ten dive sites in the Indian Ocean.

Beyond diving, the north offers sunset dhow sailing, deep-sea fishing, dolphin-watching trips, spice farm tours (usually a day trip to the island’s interior), quad biking along the northern coast, and guided visits to the dhow-building yard at Nungwi. The Mnarani Turtle Sanctuary in Nungwi is a particular hit with families: resident green and hawksbill turtles can be seen at close range in a natural tidal creek, and conservation fees fund the ongoing rescue and release programme. See our full guide to things to do in Nungwi for a complete activity list with current prices.