Where to stay in Zanzibar depends on one thing more than any other: the tide. The north coast beaches at Nungwi and Kendwa stay swimmable all day. The east coast around Paje, Jambiani and Matemwe has big tide changes. Stone Town has no beach at all.
- FromKES 65,000per person sharing, flight and 4 nights, budget beach hotel, low season
- DurationRead time 10 min
- StartsNairobi, 1.5 to 2 hour flight
- Best forTravellers choosing a Zanzibar base before they book
- StyleCouples, families and groups
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
This guide to where to stay in Zanzibar compares the main areas on swimming, mood, transfer time and price. It covers honeymoons, families, budget travellers and kitesurfers. It uses our real prices from Nairobi, with return flights.
We confirm every price in writing on WhatsApp before you pay. Hotels and prices change, so treat this as a planning guide.
Highlights
- Nungwi and Kendwa on the north coast are swimmable at any tide
- Paje and the east coast have big tide changes and great kitesurfing
- Stone Town is a historic town with no beach
- Airport transfers take 15 minutes to Stone Town and 1 to 1.25 hours to Nungwi
- A 4 night budget trip with flights starts at KES 65,000
- A 3 star Nungwi or Kendwa trip with flights starts at KES 103,000
Where to stay in Zanzibar: areas compared with prices from Nairobi
| Area | Swimming | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nungwi | Any tide | Sunsets and nightlife | KES 103,000 |
| Kendwa | Any tide | Couples and quiet | KES 103,000 |
| Paje | Tide limited | Kitesurf and budget | KES 65,000 |
| Matemwe | Tide limited | Snorkelling and calm | KES 65,000 |
| Stone Town | No beach | History and food | KES 65,000 |
- Prices are guide prices per person sharing, 4 nights, with return flights from Nairobi, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any payment.
- The KES 103,000 price is a 3 star Nungwi or Kendwa stay. The KES 65,000 price is a budget beach hotel. Mid range and all inclusive tiers cost more.
- Peak season adds about KES 20,000 to 45,000 per person in July, August and December.
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Where to stay in Zanzibar: the short answer
For beaches you can swim at all day, stay in Nungwi or Kendwa. For kitesurfing and a backpacker feel, stay in Paje. For snorkelling trips and a calm village mood, stay in Matemwe or Jambiani. For history and food, add 1 or 2 nights in Stone Town.
When choosing where to stay in Zanzibar, most first time visitors pick the north coast. It is easy, sunny and swimmable. Add a Stone Town day trip or a short stay to see the old town.
Where to stay in Zanzibar: Nungwi
Nungwi sits at the northern tip. It has white sand, clear water and strong sunsets. Dhow builders work on the beach and the village has bars, restaurants and dive shops.
It is lively in the evening. Choose Nungwi if you like to see people, eat out and have choices. Rooms near the main beach can be busy. Ask for a quieter section if you want sleep.
Where to stay in Zanzibar: Kendwa
Kendwa is a short walk south of Nungwi. The beach is wide, the water is calm and the mood is more relaxed. It is popular with couples and groups of friends.
Kendwa is also known for beach parties on certain nights, including full moon events at some venues. Choose a hotel away from the party strip if you want quiet nights. See Nungwi and Kendwa holiday packages.
Where to stay in Zanzibar: Paje
Paje is on the east coast and is the kitesurfing capital of the island. The wind blows steadily at certain times of year and the lagoon is shallow. Backpacker hostels, cafes and schools line the sand.
The tide goes far out, so swimming depends on the hour. Check the tide table. Paje has good value budget stays. Choose it if you like activity, wind and a young, social crowd.
Where to stay in Zanzibar: Jambiani and Matemwe
Jambiani is a long, quiet village beach south of Paje. It is peaceful and local. Matemwe is on the north east and is the base for Mnemba Atoll snorkelling and diving.
Both have tide changes. Matemwe resorts often have pools to make up for it. Choose these villages if you want calm, village life and snorkelling trips. Transfers take about an hour from the airport.
Where to stay in Zanzibar: Stone Town
Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow lanes, old merchant houses, markets and the Forodhani night food market. It has no beach, but boutique hotels in old buildings are charming.
It is hot and busy at midday. Stay 1 or 2 nights to see the sights, then head to the beach. Prison Island and spice tours start from here. The airport is only 15 to 20 minutes away.
South coast and Kizimkazi
The far south has Kizimkazi, famous for dolphin trips. It is quiet, with a few small lodges. It suits travellers who want peace and early morning boat trips.
There is little nightlife and few shops. Transfers take 1 to 1.5 hours. Pick it if you love dolphins and silence.
Where to stay in Zanzibar for honeymoons
For where to stay in Zanzibar as a couple, pick Kendwa, northern Nungwi or Matemwe. These areas offer boutique hotels, beach dinners and sunset views. See Zanzibar honeymoon packages.
Add a dhow cruise and a night in Stone Town. Book romantic extras early, because the best weeks fill fast.
Where to stay in Zanzibar with children
When thinking about where to stay in Zanzibar with kids, families do best on the north coast because the water is swimmable at any tide and shallow near the shore. Choose a hotel with a pool, a kids menu and a ground floor room.
Avoid long boat days for young children. Check passport validity for every child and carry copies of their birth certificates. See Zanzibar packages from Nairobi for family options.
Where to stay in Zanzibar on a budget
Where to stay in Zanzibar on a budget? Budget stays are strongest in Paje, Jambiani and Stone Town, with simple guesthouses and hostels. On Nungwi and Kendwa you can find budget rooms away from the beachfront.
A 4 night trip with flights starts at KES 65,000 for a budget beach hotel. Travel in April, May or November for lower rates. See Zanzibar weekend getaway for a short option.
Tides, seaweed and swimming
On the east coast the sea retreats far at low tide and returns at high tide. Plan swims and boat trips around the tide table. At low tide you can walk on the sand flats and see seaweed farms.
On the north coast, the sea stays deep enough for swimming at all tides. This is why most beach holidays pick Nungwi and Kendwa. Read our guide to the best time to visit Zanzibar for month by month weather.
Hotel types and what they cost
Zanzibar has guesthouses, boutique hotels, 3 and 4 star resorts and all inclusive hotels. On our packages from Nairobi with flights, a 4 night stay costs about KES 65,000 in a budget beach hotel, KES 95,000 in a mid range resort and KES 145,000 in an all inclusive resort, in low season.
Where to stay in Zanzibar also depends on how much you want included. All inclusive suits families and groups who want a fixed price. Boutique hotels suit couples. Guesthouses suit travellers who like to explore and eat locally.
Evenings and nightlife by area
Nungwi has the most choice, with beach bars, live music and late dinners. Kendwa has beach parties on certain nights. Paje has a friendly bar and cafe scene. Matemwe and Jambiani are quiet after dark.
Stone Town has the best food at the Forodhani night market and rooftop restaurants with views of the old town. If you hate noise, ask for a room away from the bars.
Activities by base
Where to stay in Zanzibar also depends on activities. Each base suits different activities.
- Nungwi and Kendwa: sunset dhow cruises, diving and snorkelling trips to Mnemba.
- Paje: kitesurfing lessons, seaweed farm visits and Jozani Forest nearby.
- Matemwe: Mnemba Atoll snorkelling and diving.
- Stone Town: spice tours, Prison Island and the old town walk.
- Kizimkazi: dolphin trips at sunrise.
Wind, waves and the beach you get
Wind changes the beach mood. The east coast gets stronger wind at some times of year, which kitesurfers love. The north coast is more sheltered and calmer for swimmers.
Seaweed can wash up on some east coast beaches. Resorts clean their section of sand daily. Ask your hotel about the seaweed and wind in your month before you book.
Sample plans for 5 and 6 nights
Here are two simple plans to copy.
5 nights on the north coast
Stay all 5 nights in Kendwa or Nungwi. Add a spice tour, a dhow cruise and a Stone Town day trip. This is the easy, relaxed plan that most first time visitors enjoy.
6 nights split stay
Spend 2 nights in Stone Town and 4 nights in Nungwi. You get history, food and a long beach stretch. Transfers are included in our packages.
Safety and beach habits
Zanzibar is generally safe for tourists. Use licensed beach operators and agree prices before boat trips and tours. Do not leave valuables on the sand. Walk with a torch at night on unlit paths.
Dress modestly in Stone Town and villages. Zanzibar is mostly Muslim and respectful dress is appreciated. Bikinis and swimwear are fine at resort beaches. Ask your hotel if you are unsure.
Transfer times from the airport
Stone Town is about 15 to 20 minutes. Paje, Jambiani and Matemwe are about 1 hour. Nungwi and Kendwa are about 1 to 1.25 hours. Kizimkazi is about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Our packages include airport transfers. Long transfers feel shorter in an air conditioned vehicle with water. Ask us for the transfer time to your hotel.
Splitting your stay
Where to stay in Zanzibar can also be split. A good plan for 6 nights is 2 nights in Stone Town and 4 nights on the beach. Another good plan is 3 nights on the north coast and 3 nights on the east coast for a different mood. Moving costs time and money, so keep it simple.
See Kenya safari and Zanzibar for a trip that starts with a safari and ends on the beach.
How we plan your stay
Authentic Adventures books flights, hotels and transfers in one booking. To decide where to stay in Zanzibar, tell us your dates, budget and style. We suggest the best area and hotel tier.
A deposit holds your trip and the balance can be paid in instalments. See book a trip and pay by card. Use the price calculator and browse international holiday packages.
Turn this where to stay in Zanzibar guide into a real trip
Reading about where to stay in Zanzibar is the fun part. Planning around it is where most people get stuck. Here is how we take you from an idea to a confirmed trip, step by step, with no surprises.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every where to stay in Zanzibar plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good where to stay in Zanzibar into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
Where is the best place to stay in Zanzibar?
Where to stay in Zanzibar for most beach holidays? Nungwi and Kendwa on the north coast are the best choice for most beach holidays because the water is swimmable at any tide. Paje is best for kitesurfing and Stone Town for history and food.
Is Nungwi or Kendwa better?
Nungwi is livelier, with more restaurants, bars and activity. Kendwa is calmer and wider, with a relaxed feel. Both are swimmable at any tide. Couples often prefer Kendwa and groups often prefer Nungwi.
Is Paje good for swimming?
Paje is great for kitesurfing and walking at low tide, but swimming depends on the tide. At low tide the sea is far out. Check the tide table or choose the north coast for all day swimming.
Is Stone Town worth staying in?
Yes, for 1 or 2 nights. You can walk the old town, eat at Forodhani and visit Prison Island. It has no beach, so combine it with a beach stay.
Which Zanzibar beach is best for a honeymoon?
Kendwa, northern Nungwi and Matemwe are popular for honeymoons because of calm water, boutique hotels and beach dinners. Add a night in Stone Town for variety.
Where to stay in Zanzibar for the lowest price?
Paje, Jambiani and Stone Town have the most budget options. A 4 night trip with flights from Nairobi starts at KES 65,000 in low season. April, May and November are the cheapest months.
Official information: Tanzania Tourist Board.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
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