Paje & Jambiani

White-sand tidal flats on Zanzibar's southeast coast where you can walk out to seaweed farms at low tide and kitesurfers gather in force; nearby are The Rock restaurant, Jozani's red colobus forest and the dolphin bay of Kizimkazi.

Paje and Jambiani lie on the southeast coast of Unguja, Zanzibar's main island, about 50 km (roughly 1 hour's drive) from Stone Town. The coast runs from the Michamvi Peninsula and Bwejuu in the north down to Jambiani and Makunduchi in the south – a string of fishing-village beaches linked by white sand and palms, with mostly backpacker hostels and boutique bungalows and a laid-back vibe.

Seasons: Jun–Oct and Dec–Feb are the dry seasons; the monsoon winds blow steadily in Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb, the peak kitesurfing seasons. During the long rains of Mar–May some hotels close. The east coast has a huge tidal range: at low tide the sea retreats several hundred metres, exposing white sand, reef flats and seaweed farms, so plan swimming and snorkelling around high tide using a tide table.

Things to do: Paje is a world-renowned place to learn kitesurfing. At low tide you can watch local women farming seaweed and visit the Seaweed Center. Up north at Michamvi there's a restaurant perched on a rock in the sea, snorkelling in the Blue Lagoon and sunsets on Kae Beach. Inland, Jozani Forest is home to the Zanzibar red colobus, plus a butterfly centre and the swimmable Kuza Cave. Head south to Kizimkazi for early-morning dolphin trips; Mtende is a quiet hidden cove, and in late July Makunduchi hosts the Mwaka Kogwa New Year festival.

Getting there: a private transfer from the airport or Stone Town takes about 1 hour (around USD 40–50) and can stop at Jozani Forest on the way. Plan to stay 3–5 days. Tips: wear water shoes on low-tide walks to protect against sea urchins; villages are conservative, so cover shoulders and knees away from the beach; for dolphin trips, choose an operator that doesn't chase the animals.

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