Paje 3-Day Itinerary

Morning

Arrive at Zanzibar International Airport and transfer south to Paje (approximately 60 minutes). Check in to your beach lodge and take time to settle in. In the late morning, head straight to the beach — if the tide is low, you can walk far out across the exposed tidal flats, picking up starfish and watching local fishermen wade through the shallows.

Afternoon

After lunch at a beachside restaurant, join a guided tidal flat walk timed to the afternoon low tide. Your guide will introduce you to the seaweed farming women, explain the coastal ecosystem and point out marine life hidden in the sand and seagrass. The wide expanse of teal water and brilliant white sand at this hour is one of Zanzibar's most photogenic settings.

Evening

End your first day with a sunset dhow cruise departing from the beach in front of your lodge. These traditional wooden sailing boats catch the evening breeze and drift south along the coastline as the sun descends. Fresh fruit and soft drinks are served on board. By the time you return, you will be ready for a seafood dinner and an early night.

Morning

Rise early for your IKO kite surfing lesson — instruction begins at 8am when the wind is building nicely and the tidal flat is at its most forgiving. Your IKO-certified instructor will start with theory and safety, move to body dragging (being pulled through the water by the kite without a board) and, if conditions allow, introduce the board before the wind picks up fully at midday.

Afternoon

After lunch and a well-earned rest, join a seaweed farm village tour at low tide. Walk with a local guide through the rows of cultivated cottonii seaweed that line the shallow flats, learn about the farming process, and visit the village drying racks. The tour provides a fascinating window into the real lives of Paje's coastal community and lasts around two hours.

Evening

Spend the remainder of the afternoon on the beach — swimming, reading or simply watching the kite surfers launch and land on the flat. The kite beach at golden hour, with colourful kites pulling riders across the shining water, is a spectacular and energetic scene. Dinner at one of Paje's seafood restaurants rounds off a full and varied day.

Morning

Your final morning in Paje begins with an optional snorkeling excursion on the tidal flats, timed to the morning high tide. The reef edge beyond the flat comes alive with fish, and there is a good chance of spotting green sea turtles grazing on the seagrass. Alternatively, take a half-day bicycle ride south to Jambiani village, another traditional east coast settlement a short ride down the coast, for a change of scenery and a fresh seafood lunch.

Afternoon

If your onward schedule allows, spend the afternoon on the beach before a late transfer back to the airport or north to Stone Town. If you are extending your Zanzibar trip, Jambiani and Stone Town are both excellent next destinations — see our full east coast guide for ideas. Either way, Paje will have left a lasting impression: the wide sky, the kite-filled wind, the silence of the tidal flats at low tide.

Evening

Depart from Paje or continue to your next Zanzibar destination. Late flights from Zanzibar International Airport allow for a full final afternoon on the beach before heading to the terminal. We recommend allowing at least 90 minutes for the transfer from Paje to the airport during peak season.