Nungwi & Kendwa

White-sand beaches at Zanzibar's northern tip with a small tidal range for swimming all day; sunset dhow cruises and snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll are the highlights, and resorts line the shore.

Nungwi and Kendwa sit at the very northern tip of Unguja, Zanzibar, Tanzania, about 60 km (1–1.5 hours' drive) from Stone Town. This is the island's most popular beach area, with the densest concentration of resorts. Unlike the east coast, the tidal range here is small, so you can swim at high and low tide alike, and the west-facing shore enjoys the island's finest sunsets.

Seasons: Jun–Oct and Dec–Feb are the dry seasons, with sunny skies, little rain and the clearest water – ideal for snorkelling and diving. During the long rains of Mar–May some hotels close; the short rains in Nov mostly bring showers. Temperatures hover around 26–32°C year-round.

Things to do: Nungwi Beach is lively and packed with bars and restaurants. Watch traditional dhows being built, visit the turtle conservation pool by the Ras Nungwi lighthouse, and take a sunset dhow cruise in the evening. Walk about half an hour south to wider, quieter Kendwa Beach, which hosts all-night parties around each full moon. Boat trips are the signature activity: snorkel with turtles, dolphins and coral at Mnemba Atoll to the northeast, or head west to the sandbanks of Tumbatu Island. Matemwe and Kiwengwa on the east coast offer quiet beaches with boutique and all-inclusive resorts.

Getting there: a taxi or private transfer from Zanzibar Airport or Stone Town takes about 1–1.5 hours (around USD 40–60), and cheap dala-dala minibuses also run. Plan to stay 3–5 days, easily combined with Stone Town and Paje on the southeast coast. Tips: villages are conservative, so cover shoulders and knees away from the beach; eat and drink discreetly in the daytime during Ramadan; choose a responsible boat operator that doesn't chase dolphins.

Top sights

• Nungwi Beach – A white-sand beach at the northern tip of Zanzibar, with small tides, swimming all day, clear blue water and the island's best sunsets.
• Mnemba Atoll – A marine protected area off the northeast coast and Zanzibar's best snorkelling and diving spot, where dolphins, turtles and schools of tro…
• Kendwa Beach – A wide white-sand beach south of Nungwi with small tides, safe swimming all day, stunning sunsets and famous full-moon parties every month.
• Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond – A community sea turtle sanctuary beside Nungwi Lighthouse that rescues green turtles and hawksbill turtles caught in fishing nets, releasin…
• Matemwe Beach – A peaceful long stretch of white sand on the northeast coast, facing the Mnemba Atoll. It is the main departure point for snorkelling trips…
• Ras Nungwi Lighthouse – A white lighthouse at Ras Nungwi, the northernmost point of Zanzibar Island, surrounded by a coral rock coastline and a sea turtle sanctuar…
• Nungwi Dhow Yard – A traditional boatyard on Nungwi Beach where craftsmen hand-build Swahili dhows, and the starting point for sunset dhow cruises.
• Kendwa Rocks Full Moon Party – A long-established beach bar resort on Kendwa Beach, famous across the island for its all-night beach parties around each full moon.
• Tumbatu Island – A traditional small island northwest of Unguja, surrounded by sandbanks and coral reefs, and a popular snorkelling day trip from Nungwi.
• Kiwengwa Beach – A long white-sand beach on the northeast coast, home to large all-inclusive resorts. At low tide, a large reef flat is exposed, making it i…
• Kiwengwa Caves – A group of coral limestone caves in the Kiwengwa–Pongwe Forest Reserve, with stalactites and bats, and frequent sightings of monkeys.

Where to eat

• Fisherman's Seafood & Grill – A highly popular seafood grill on Nungwi Beach, with beachside seating, live music, and sunsets. It has consistently ra…
• Fish Market Local Restaurant – A small seafood eatery run by locals beside Nungwi's fish market, serving fish grilled or fried to order with rice at p…
• Gold Beach Restaurant – A beachside à la carte restaurant at the Gold hotel on Kendwa Beach. It ranks first among Kendwa restaurants on review…

Itineraries

• Northern Safari & Zanzibar Island – Complete the Northern Circuit in eight days, then fly to Zanzibar to explore Stone Town and relax on the beaches.
• Zanzibar & Pemba Twin Island 10-Day Getaway – Explore Zanzibar's Stone Town, East Coast, and North Coast, then fly to Pemba Island for cloves, forests, and Misali Is…