How to enjoy a beach vacation in Zanzibar

Swells of great blue water, swaying palms and dense jungles weave a magical destination together in Zanzibar. There are painted buildings in Stone Town, chameleons and giant tortoises in the jungle. You can swim with dolphins, laze on the beach and catch sunsets as you sip a cocktail. So, let us dig deeper to find out how to enjoy a great beach vacation in Zanzibar.

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

Theoretically, Zanzibar enjoys sunshine all year around. But it is better to avoid the months of November and December and then April and May. You’ll avoid torrential rains. Arguably, June is the best month to visit Zanzibar. But you can expect a little bit of rain at any given time. Although the downpours are unexpected, they tend to be short.

Where to stay in Zanzibar?

A resort near a beach is a given. Run a Google search for Zanzibar Beach Resort and you will come up with a sizable list of choices. Try to book a place that offers easy access to other attractions such as Stone Town, Prison Island and wild safaris. A number of resorts such as the Residence Zanzibar offer access to a variety of experiences.

Things to do in Zanzibar – Hit the beaches

Silky, white sand and vast blueness can be expected at any beach in Zanzibar. If you love swimming in the sea, try Kendwa Beach. It is not too windy, and you don’t have to watch out for high or low tide. Paje beach is ideal if you love kitesurfing and windsurfing. You could also swim in the waters during low tide. Jambiani Beach offers amazing views. The colour spectrum at this particular beach is pretty enthralling. You can go sandbank swimming and snorkelling. And the white sand there is perfect for soaking up the sun. Nungwi Beach is out of this world with 20 odd diving spots to its name. You can do anything and everything you expect from a beach vacation at Nungwi Beach. The waters are turquoise, and the sand is white and inviting.

What to do at beaches in Zanzibar

Now that we’ve introduced you to some of the beaches, let us talk about the things to do at a beach. You can scuba dive and snorkel to enjoy rendezvous with sea creatures. You can Swim or lounge on the beach with a book and tropical punch. You can play beach volleyball or soccer. You can go cruising in a dhow. Don’t miss out on catching a sunset on your dhow cruise. The sandy beaches are also perfect spots for those lazy, hazy beach days of relaxing and drinking your favourite tropical drinks. There is a turtle conservation park near Nungwi Beach. And, if you love a beach party, you can find plenty of vibrant nightlife at Kendawa Beach.

Explore the Stone Town in Zanzibar

If you love ‘Queen’ (the band), you would enjoy a visit to Stone Town. Freddy Mercury came into the world in Stone Town, and you can still see his house. The town itself is an enticing labyrinth of alleyways, winding paths and influence of Arab, Indian and European cultures. The town was once a spice market and unfortunately an old slave market. But, today, you can wander around looking into shops, bazaars and occasional mosques. Go to the Darajani Market where you’ll stumble upon baskets overflowing with spices, fresh fruit and a mishmash of useful items such as woven towels, hand-carved cheese, copper and beaded jewellery, handmade soap and containers of spices. For a classic African market excursion, get lunch at the Forodhani market. You can get fresh vegetables, noon bread, potato balls, grilled fish and fragrant meat.