Where to stay
Best areas to stay in Zanzibar
The single biggest decision in a Zanzibar trip is which coast you sleep on. Swimming, tides, evenings and privacy all change with it.
Last reviewed 6 September 2026
Coast by coast
Nungwi (north)
Swims at any tide, busiest and most social, walkable restaurants and dhow sunsets.
Kendwa (north-west)
Slightly calmer than Nungwi with the island's best sunsets and full-moon nights.
East coast (Paje, Jambiani)
Wide beaches, kitesurfing, strong tides, the best value on villas.
South-east (Michamvi, Bwejuu)
The quietest option and our honeymoon default. Tidal swimming, deep privacy.
Stone Town
History, rooftops and markets. One or two nights, usually at the start or end.
Which coast for which traveller
| You want… | Stay |
|---|---|
| Reliable swimming any time of day | Nungwi or Kendwa |
| Maximum privacy | South-east (Michamvi / Bwejuu) |
| Kitesurfing and beach walks | East coast (Paje / Jambiani) |
| Nightlife and restaurant choice | Nungwi |
| History and culture | Stone Town |
| Best villa value | East coast |
About the tides
On the east and south-east coasts the water retreats a long way at low tide, exposing beautiful flats but limiting swimming to certain hours. Most good properties there have pools. On the north coast the drop-off is steeper, so swimming works all day.
How we usually combine them
- 7 nights on one coast plus one Stone Town night — our most common shape.
- 4 nights north + 3 nights south-east for variety on longer trips.
- Stone Town first if you arrive late, last if you want to shop before flying.
Frequently asked questions
Kendwa and Nungwi for swimming, the east and south-east for width and emptiness. The 'best' depends on whether you value swimming or seclusion.
Ready when you are
Set your dates and tier in the trip builder and watch an itemised quote build itself. A planner reviews it and confirms real availability within 24 hours.