Zanzibar · East Coast
A Working Village, Not a Resort Strip
Jambiani runs for about six kilometres along Zanzibar’s south-east coast, and it has stayed a village rather than turning into a resort strip. Guesthouses sit between family homes, there is no wall between you and the beach, and you can walk the entire length of it.
The lagoon here is the draw. At high tide it turns a luminous turquoise you have to see to believe; at low tide the ocean pulls back to expose a kilometre of reef flat where the women of the village farm seaweed — one of the island’s biggest employers of women.
- Six kilometres of open, walkable beach
- Luminous turquoise lagoon at high tide
- Seaweed farming on the reef flats at low tide
- Village guesthouses and small owner-run hotels
Good to Know
Jambiani at a Glance
What You'll Find
Best Time to Visit
June to October for dry, breezy weather; December to February is hotter and calmer.
The Tide
Dramatic tidal range — swimming is best around high water, so check the tide chart.
Seaweed
Village women farm seaweed on the reef flats, a mainstay of the local economy.
Getting There
Around 1 hour by road from Stone Town or the airport.
- Snorkelling
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Seaweed Farm Tours
- Village Walks
- Kitesurfing
- Swimming Pools
- Local Guesthouses
- Sunrise
- Reef Flats
Things to Do
Low Tide, High Tide
Days here revolve around the water. High tide is for swimming and paddling; low tide is for walking out onto the reef and meeting the people who work it.
- Seaweed farm visit with the village co-operative
- Kayaking and paddleboarding on the high-tide lagoon
- Snorkelling trips out to the reef edge
- Easy day trips to Paje for kitesurfing or Jozani Forest for colobus monkeys
The Quiet Side of the Island
Jambiani suits travellers who want the real thing rather than a resort compound. Let’s plan it.