Nungwi & Kendwa: A Local’s Guide to Zanzibar’s Best Beaches
Ask anyone in Zanzibar where to swim, and they’ll point north. Nungwi and its neighbour Kendwa, on the island’s northern tip, have something the east-coast beaches don’t: water that stays deep enough to swim in all day, and sunsets over the open sea. Binta House is a 7-minute walk from Nungwi beach, and we drive our guests to Kendwa for free, so here’s everything we’ve learned.
Why the north coast is different
On much of Zanzibar’s east coast, the tide pulls the sea out hundreds of metres, leaving seaweed farms and rock pools for hours. In Nungwi and Kendwa the tidal change is much smaller, so you can swim at almost any time of day. And because the beaches face west and north, the sun sets right into the sea.
Nungwi beach
Nungwi is a lively fishing village as much as a beach. Walk along the sand and you’ll see:
Dhow builders at work, shaping wooden boats by hand with tools their grandfathers used. Nungwi has been building dhows for generations.
The fish market in the morning, when the boats come in and the day’s catch is sold on the sand.
The lighthouse at Ras Nungwi, the very northern tip of the island.
Turtles at the Mnarani turtle conservation pond near the lighthouse, where injured and rescued sea turtles are cared for.
The west-facing stretch of Nungwi beach is where everyone gathers at sunset. Bring a cold drink and watch the dhows sail home against an orange sky.
Kendwa beach
A few kilometres south, Kendwa is calmer and wider, with soft white sand and some of the clearest, most swimmable water on the island. It’s the place for a long, slow beach day: swim, read, nap, swim again. Kendwa is also known for its monthly full-moon party, if you’re in the mood.
You can walk from Nungwi to Kendwa along the beach at low tide, but it’s long and hot. That’s why we offer our guests free rides to Kendwa.
Our beach tips
Go early. Before 9am the sand is cool, the light is soft and the beach is yours.
Respect the sun. The equatorial sun is strong. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water.
Wear reef shoes if you’re exploring rocky areas or coral near the shore.
Cover up in the village. Swimwear is fine on the beach, but put on a kanga or shirt when you walk into the village. Nungwi is a traditional Muslim community.
Say hapana, asante (“no, thank you”) to beach sellers, politely and with a smile. It works.
Book a sunset dhow at least once. It’s Nungwi’s most magical evening.
Getting out on the water
Snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll: coral, tropical fish and often dolphins on the way.
Sunset dhow cruise from Nungwi beach.
Fishing trips with local fishermen at dawn.
We’re happy to arrange any of these with captains we trust.
Where to stay near Nungwi beach
If you want to be close to the beach without the noise of the big resorts, a small Swahili villa is the best of both worlds. At Binta House you’re a 7-minute walk from the sand, with a pool in the garden, breakfast by our dadas, and free rides to Nungwi beach and Kendwa whenever you like.
