🇹🇿 Tanzania · East Africa

Zanzibar travel guide

Indian Ocean beaches with a UNESCO old town attached

Written and last reviewed by the Bemer Travels team on 20 August 2026

Zanzibar is our value pick in the Indian Ocean. The beaches on the northern and eastern coasts are as good as anywhere in the region, Stone Town gives the trip a cultural half that pure resort destinations lack, and the total cost is well below the Maldives.

The one thing that catches people out is the tide. On the east coast, the sea can retreat hundreds of metres at low tide, which is fascinating to walk across and impossible to swim in. Choose your coast with that in mind.

Why visit Zanzibar

Long white-sand beaches with warm, clear water and dhow sailing at sunset.
Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site with Swahili, Omani, Indian and European layers in its architecture.
Spice farm tours, Jozani Forest's red colobus monkeys, and the sandbank at Nakupenda.
Excellent diving and snorkelling around Mnemba Atoll.
Costs a fraction of comparable Indian Ocean beach destinations.
Natural pairing with a Tanzanian safari in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro.

Best time to visit Zanzibar

June to October and December to February

Cool dry (June – October): The best all-round window: dry, sunny, comfortable, and it lines up with the Serengeti migration season.
Short dry (December – February): Hot and sunny with warm seas. Busy over Christmas and New Year.
Long rains (March – May): Heaviest rainfall, some hotels close, and the cheapest rates of the year.
Short rains (November): Brief showers, mostly sunny days, good value.

Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim island. During Ramadan many local restaurants close during the day, though resorts operate normally.

Main attractions in Zanzibar

Stone Town: Half a day minimum for the alleys, the House of Wonders area, Darajani market and the former slave market memorial at the Anglican Cathedral.
Nungwi & Kendwa (north): The only beaches with reliable swimming at all tide levels. Liveliest area, best sunsets.
Paje & Jambiani (southeast): Kitesurfing centre, long beaches, dramatic tides. Laid-back and good value.
Mnemba Atoll: The island's best snorkelling and diving, reached by boat from the northeast.
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park: The endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey, plus a mangrove boardwalk. Around two hours.
Spice farm tour: A genuine working-farm visit, not a set piece — cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon at source.
Nakupenda sandbank: A boat trip to a bare sandbar for swimming and a seafood lunch. Timed around the tide.
Prison Island (Changuu): Giant Aldabra tortoises and a short snorkel, 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town.

Where to stay in Zanzibar

Nungwi & Kendwa (north): Our default recommendation for a first trip — swimmable at any tide, plenty of restaurants and boat trips.
Matemwe & Kiwengwa (northeast): Quieter, closer to Mnemba for diving, tidal but with good resort pools.
Paje & Jambiani (southeast): Best value and best for kitesurfing. Strong tidal range.
Stone Town: Two nights at the start or end for the culture. Boutique hotels in restored merchant houses.
Southwest (Fumba, Menai Bay): Remote and quiet, good for a genuinely disconnected stay.

Getting around and airport transfers

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is near Stone Town. Transfers north take about 60-75 minutes, southeast about 45-60.
Arrange transfers through your hotel. Airport taxi negotiation is unpleasant and rates are inflated.
Roads across the island are reasonable but journeys take longer than the distances suggest.
Ferries connect Stone Town with Dar es Salaam in about two hours. Book the official fast ferry and keep your passport with you.
Renting a car requires a local permit and is rarely worth it. Hire a driver for day trips instead.

Need a vehicle at the other end? Our car rental page explains how driver requirements, deposits and insurance excesses usually work abroad.

Choosing a hotel

Check the tide situation for the beach in front of the hotel before booking. On the east coast, ask specifically what swimming is like at low tide.
Many resorts include breakfast only. Half-board is worth taking at remote properties where there is nowhere else to eat.
Air conditioning and reliable power are not universal at smaller properties — confirm both.
Seaweed farming is part of the east coast landscape and seasonally affects some beaches. It is a livelihood, not a defect, but it will be in your photographs.
Stone Town's historic buildings mean stairs, small rooms and the call to prayer nearby. Both are part of the experience.

We can shortlist properties against your budget and travel dates — see how our hotel booking service works.

Tours and activities worth booking

A Stone Town walking tour with a local guide is worth far more than wandering — the alleys are confusing and the history is not signposted.
Mnemba snorkelling trips should be booked with operators that respect the marine reserve boundaries and do not feed the fish.
Combine the spice farm with Jozani Forest in one day; both are inland and roughly on the same route.
Sunset dhow cruises are inexpensive and one of the best things on the island.
For a Serengeti combination, allow four nights on the mainland before or after the beach leg.

See our tours and experiences page, or tell us what you want to see and we will build the day around it.

Visa information for Tanzania

Nigerian passport holders need a visa for Tanzania

Tanzania requires a visa for Nigerian passport holders. An online e-visa is available through the official immigration portal and is the route we normally recommend, as it removes uncertainty at the border. Visas on arrival have historically been available at Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, but availability and processing can vary.

Applications ask for a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket, confirmed accommodation and a passport photograph. Allow at least two to three weeks for the e-visa rather than assuming a quick turnaround.

Zanzibar also requires all visitors to hold mandatory inbound travel insurance purchased through the designated local provider, in addition to any policy you already hold. A yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from or transiting a yellow-fever-risk country, which includes Nigeria.

We confirm the current visa, insurance and vaccination requirements for your route before you travel, and handle the documentation on the travel side.

How our visa assistance works Travel insurance

Independent agency notice: Bemer Travels is a private travel agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government, embassy or immigration authority. Visa approvals are solely at the discretion of the relevant embassy or consulate. Government and visa application fees are paid directly to the relevant authority. See our Disclaimer for details.

Families, couples and solo travellers

First-time visitors: Two nights Stone Town plus five on the north coast is the balance we recommend most often.
Honeymooners: Matemwe or a northeast boutique resort, a dhow sunset and a Mnemba snorkelling day.
Families: Nungwi or Kendwa for tide-independent swimming and shorter transfers.
Safari combinations: Serengeti and Ngorongoro first, Zanzibar second — the beach leg works far better as the recovery half of the trip.

Tips for first-time visitors to Zanzibar

Dress modestly away from resort beaches, particularly in Stone Town and villages: shoulders and knees covered. Beachwear is for the beach.
Carry US dollars in good condition alongside Tanzanian shillings; older or damaged notes are often refused.
Agree taxi and boat prices before setting off.
Malaria prophylaxis is generally advised — take medical advice before travel.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and reef shoes for the tidal flats.
Alcohol is available in resorts and tourist restaurants but not everywhere.

Common mistakes to avoid

Booking an east-coast beach for a swimming holiday without checking the tide range.
Skipping Stone Town entirely. It is what distinguishes Zanzibar from a generic beach destination.
Arriving without the mandatory Zanzibar inbound travel insurance and having to buy it at the airport.
Assuming a visa on arrival will be straightforward rather than applying for the e-visa in advance.
Travelling in April, the wettest month, to save money.

What things typically cost

Mid-range resort, per night: About $90-$220 including breakfast, considerably less than comparable Maldives or Seychelles properties.
Stone Town boutique hotel: Roughly $70-$150 per night.
Day excursion: $35-$90 per person for spice tours, Jozani, Prison Island or Nakupenda.
Casual meal: $6-$18 per person outside resorts.

Indicative planning ranges only. Actual prices move with season, exchange rates and availability — ask us for a current quote for your dates.

FAQs

Zanzibar travel FAQs

Which coast should I stay on?

North (Nungwi or Kendwa) if swimming at any time of day matters. Southeast (Paje, Jambiani) for value, kitesurfing and a quieter feel with big tides.

How many nights do I need?

Seven is ideal: two in Stone Town and five on the beach.

Is Zanzibar cheaper than the Maldives?

Substantially, for a comparable beach standard — and you also get a historic town, national park and spice farms.

Is it safe?

Yes, with normal precautions. Petty theft on beaches and in Stone Town alleys is the main issue; violent crime against visitors is rare.

Planning a trip to Zanzibar?

Tell us your dates, budget and who is travelling. We will come back with flight options, a shortlist of hotels that fit, and a realistic visa timeline — no obligation.

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