Trip ideas 2 min read
Zanzibar, north or east? How to choose the right coast
The difference between the two coasts is neither price nor beauty: it is the tide. And it can decide whether you swim or not.
Weltweg editorial team updated 16 September 2026
In this article5 sections
Anyone booking Zanzibar from the photographs alone is in for a surprise: on the east coast, at certain hours, the sea retreats for hundreds of metres and the lagoon becomes an expanse of sand and seaweed crossed by people gathering shellfish. It is quite a sight, but not what someone hoping for a swim after lunch had in mind.
The north: Nungwi and Kendwa
On the northern tip the tidal range is minimal and you can swim at any hour. It is the liveliest area, with restaurants, bars and boats for excursions. In return it is also the most built-up and the busiest: those seeking seclusion will not find it here.
The east: Paje, Jambiani, Michamvi
Endless beaches, the finest white sand, villages that still feel like villages. It is the kitesurfing coast, because the wind is constant. But the tide rules the day: you plan around its hours, and the resort pool becomes part of the plan, not an extra.
Stone Town
It is not a beach, and it is a mistake to skip it. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a maze of alleys, carved wooden doors, the Darajani market and the museum dedicated to the memory of slavery — Zanzibar was one of the principal markets of the Indian Ocean, and the town does not hide it. One or two nights are enough, usually at the start.
How we choose
After a safari, which is physically demanding, we almost always recommend the north: you arrive tired and want to get into the water without consulting tide tables. The east makes sense for those staying longer, for kitesurfers, or for those seeking a quieter place who know what to expect.
One thing to know before booking
To enter Zanzibar, local health insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation is compulsory, to be bought on the government portal: $44 per person, with a reduced rate for minors. It is valid for 92 days and must be bought even if you already have a private policy. Since 1 October 2026 mainland Tanzania has its own compulsory insurance, the NIC, also at $44: if your trip begins with a safari, we will tell you at the time of booking which of the two you need. Without the QR code, boarding may be refused.
