Experience Zanzibar
Zanzibar. The island of endless shimmering beaches, lapping waves and long, lazy sunsets viewed preferably from a hammock. Sound familiar? Of course it does, but that’s is just the tip of the piña colada of what you can do on this sultry Indian Ocean island. Dig a little deeper and you’ll discover a whole host of activities to try your hand at. Find out about the top things to do in Zanzibar. And if all you’re looking for are those endless beaches, then that’s fine too – you are on holiday after all.
Things to do in Zanzibar
1. Maximize beach time
Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Zanzibar offers pristine white sands and clear warm waters that treasure beautiful and rare marine wildlife.
2. Explore Kendwa for Beach Activities
The Eastern part of the island is tidal, so if you’re after all-day swimming, head towards the Northern and Western beaches, such as Kendwa.
The ocean here is a wonderful place to swim and since there have not been any recorded shark attacks in the recent past, Kendwa is the perfect destination for beach holidays and relaxing things to do in Zanzibar.
3.Go sailing on a traditional dhow
Nungwi remains the hub of traditional dhow shipbuilding, a craft specific to East Africa and defined by the timber boats that can be seen drifting across the sea.
Travellers seeking to venture beyond the lazy beaches can join the Nungwi Village tour, explore the shipbuilding regions or go on a dhow cruise and watch the sunset from the calm Indian ocean.
4. Tour museums in Stone Town
Known as Spice Island, the Zanzibar archipelago is famous for its trade in nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon and cloves, providing an aromatic background to the local markets and food stalls located in and around historical Stone Town.
As the oldest part of Zanzibar City, Stone Town’s distinctive architecture reflects Arab, European, Persian, African and Indian influences and derives its name from the Coral Stone used as its main building material.
The maze of narrow streets is home to some of Zanzibar’s best historical attractions, including the Arab Fort, Palace of Wonders, Forodhani Gardens and the Palace Museum. These attractions can be seen through a vast selection of guided walks and bike tours.