The north tip of Unguja has one enormous natural advantage over the rest of the island: almost no tidal range. On the east coast the ocean disappears a kilometre offshore twice a day. At Nungwi and Kendwa the water simply stays, which is why these two beaches are the busiest and most photographed in Zanzibar.
Nungwi is the bigger of the two and still a genuine working village — Zanzibar’s dhow-building yard is right on the sand, and you will see hulls being shaped by hand a hundred metres from the sunloungers. It has the most restaurants, the most dive shops and the most noise.
Kendwa, a twenty-minute walk or five-minute drive south, is the quieter, wider, softer beach — except on full moon nights, when its beach party is the biggest event on the island.
Top things to do at Nungwi & Kendwa
Swim, at any hour
The point of the north coast. Deep, clear, warm water directly off the beach whatever the tide is doing — a genuine rarity in Zanzibar and worth structuring a trip around if swimming matters to you.
Mnemba Atoll snorkelling trips
Boats leave from Nungwi and Kendwa every morning for the reef at Mnemba, usually with a dolphin search on the way. Go early: the sea is flattest and the light underwater is best before 10:00.
Baraka natural aquarium
A tidal lagoon at the tip of the island where rescued green turtles are rehabilitated. You can swim with them in shallow water — short, cheap and the single best thing on the island for young children.
Sunset dhow cruise
The north-west coast is the only part of Unguja that faces the sunset over open ocean. Two hours on a traditional dhow, often under twenty dollars, and one of the best-value experiences in Zanzibar.
How to get to Nungwi & Kendwa
- Nungwi is about 56 km from Stone Town — around 1 hour 15 minutes by private transfer, and the most common airport transfer on the island.
- Dala-dala minibuses (route 116) run from Stone Town’s Darajani market for a couple of dollars. Slow, hot, crowded and completely authentic; allow two hours.
- Kendwa is 4 km south of Nungwi. There is a beach path at low tide, but at high tide the headland is impassable — take a taxi.
Insider tips
- Nungwi beach narrows sharply at high tide in front of some hotels. If a wide beach matters, look at Kendwa instead.
- Beach vendors here are persistent. A firm, friendly “hapana asante” (no thank you) works better than ignoring people.
- The full moon party at Kendwa is legendary and loud. Check the lunar calendar against your booking depending on which experience you want.
- Between June and September the north coast gets a steady breeze — lovely for comfort, less ideal for glassy snorkelling conditions in the afternoon.
Best tours & tickets for Nungwi & Kendwa
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to enjoy Nungwi & Kendwa and its surroundings:
Small-group boat trip from $55 Mnemba Atoll Boat Trip & Dolphin Snorkel Adventure
Mnemba is the best snorkelling in Zanzibar — a protected atoll ringed by coral in impossibly clear water. This small-group trip leaves early from the north coast, when the sea is flat and the dolphins are still feeding.
- Snorkel the protected reef of Mnemba Atoll
- Look for spinner and bottlenose dolphins
- Small groups and an early, calm-sea start
Short family activity from $28 Baraka Aquarium: Feed, Swim & Snorkel with Turtles
A natural lagoon at the tip of the island where rescued turtles are rehabilitated before release. Short, shallow and genuinely delightful for children — bring a mask.
- Swim alongside rescued green sea turtles
- Feed them seaweed from the edge of the lagoon
- A natural tidal pool, not a tank
Sunset cruise from $15 Sunset Dhow Cruise from Nungwi & Kendwa
The north-west coast is the only part of Unguja where the sun sets over open water, and a traditional dhow is the right way to watch it. Under twenty dollars, and the photos justify the whole trip.
- Sail out as the sun drops into the Indian Ocean
- Snacks and drinks on board
- Hotel pickup along the north coast
Adventure from $72 per group ATV Quad Adventure from Kendwa or Nungwi
A 4.9-star rating across more than 1,500 reviews says most of it. Quads take you inland from the northern beaches into villages, plantations and red-earth tracks that no minibus tour reaches.
- Ride sand tracks through banana and palm plantations
- Stop in villages away from the resort strip
- One of the highest-rated activities on the island
Where to stay near Nungwi & Kendwa
Compare hotels, guesthouses and beach resorts in this part of Unguja.
See hotels & prices →Nungwi & Kendwa FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Nungwi or Kendwa — which should I choose?
Nungwi for restaurants, dive shops, nightlife and things to do on foot. Kendwa for a wider, calmer, prettier beach with fewer options. They are five minutes apart, so you can stay in one and visit the other.
Is the north coast good for snorkelling from the beach?
Not really — the reef is offshore. Beach snorkelling anywhere in Zanzibar is limited; the good coral is at Mnemba and Tumbatu, both a short boat ride away.
Can you drink alcohol in Nungwi?
Yes. Zanzibar is conservative and predominantly Muslim, but hotels, beach bars and restaurants in the tourist areas serve alcohol freely. Drinking away from those venues, or in the villages, is not appropriate.
