Zanzibar · North Coast
The Beach That Never Goes Out
Nungwi sits on Zanzibar’s northern tip, and it has one quirk that makes it the island’s most popular beach: the tide barely retreats. On the east coast the ocean can withdraw half a kilometre at low water; here you can swim at any hour of any day.
It is also the island’s dhow-building village. Hand-built boats are still shaped on the sand at the north end, which is why Nungwi sunsets come with a fleet of triangular sails on the horizon — and why the sunset dhow cruise is the one thing nobody skips.
- Swimmable at every state of the tide
- Traditional dhow yards still working on the beach
- The island's best sunsets, with a dhow cruise to match
- The widest choice of restaurants and nightlife on Zanzibar
Good to Know
Nungwi at a Glance
What You'll Find
Best Time to Visit
June to October and December to February are dry and bright; April and May are the long rains.
The Tide
Unlike the east coast, Nungwi stays deep enough to swim at low tide.
Dhow Building
Boats are still built by hand on the beach using techniques centuries old.
Getting There
About 1 hour 15 minutes by road from Stone Town or Zanzibar airport.
- Swimming
- Sunset Dhow Cruise
- Snorkelling
- Scuba Diving
- Mnarani Turtle Pond
- Dhow Yards
- Beach Bars
- Seafood
- Sailing
- Sea Kayaking
Things to Do
How You'll Spend the Days
Nungwi is the easiest place on the island to do nothing at all — but if you want to be busy, everything launches from the beach right outside your room.
- Sunset dhow cruise with the dhow-building village en route
- Snorkelling and diving on Mnemba Atoll
- Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond
- Day trips to Kendwa for the full-moon parties
Book the North Coast
Tell us your dates and budget and we’ll match you to the right stretch of Nungwi sand.