Seeing the beaches of Zanzibar in the photo, most likely you will think that the photos were taken in the Maldives. Everyone knows what these famous and well-advertised islands look like. But the fact that the ocean and beaches in Zanzibar are in no way inferior in beauty to the Maldives is not known to many.
The Indian Ocean off the coast of Zanzibar is not very deep, the water in it is always amazingly warm, in this area it can be called a big bath. You can swim for hours without fear of freezing; snorkeling is a great activity at such a water temperature. Many tourists who are tired of "hackneyed" destinations prefer to relax in Zanzibar with children, for this there is an excellent coastline.
Endless beaches with white coral sand stretch almost along the entire coast of the island. It is this purest sand that gives the water an amazing turquoise color; it does not mix and does not distort the color of the ocean.
For beach lovers, this is paradise, but it is impossible to call Zanzibar a purely beach resort. The eastern side of the island is favored by kitesurfers and western snorkelers. Do you want diving? This is also possible, there is something to see in the depths of the sea.
Since the island is large, the questions naturally arise: Where to stay in Zanzibar? Is it possible to rent private accommodation? Which beach is suitable for relaxation, and which for outdoor activities?
Where to stay in Zanzibar near the sea
All the beaches in Zanzibar are named after the villages near which they are located. That is, behind the line of hotels, which are located near the water, there is always a fishing village.
Consider the best options for renting accommodation and booking hotels for holidays in Tanzania, find out the prices.
All published options for hotels and guest houses can be booked using Booking and RoomGuru, on the same sites you can find other offers that are suitable for the cost.
You may be interested in learning about the best all-inclusive hotels and not only with excellent ratings and reviews from tourists who have visited here.
Jambiani Beach Hotels
East beach Jambiani closer to the south, not very good for swimming, especially if the holiday is planned with children. At the bottom there are whole slabs of sharp stones; walking without coral slippers is dangerous. The area is windy and almost always waves.
Accommodation is cheaper here than in the northern part.
In the small family hotel Shining Sun, a room for two per day costs 1,700 rubles. The rooms are simple but clean. The hosts are friendly and helpful. This hotel is more like a private sector. Guests have access to a kitchen where they can prepare their own meals.
Paje Beach
Further north, one of the best kitesurfing spots is the beach Paje... Unlike Jambiani, there are no stones, the bottom is sandy.
The place is very secluded and calm. Ideal for families. On the coast there are restaurants and cafes where you can taste the fresh catch of fishermen.
The main entertainment here is the sea.
Do not forget about the ebb tide, which is exposed to the entire east coast of Zanzibar. During low tides, the sea can run quite far.
Most vacationers consider such a natural phenomenon a minus, but for the curious it easily turns into a plus. When the ocean leaves, its bottom opens up with marine life and bizarre shells. You can see whole groups of sea urchins; walking among them is a must in coral slippers.
In small depressions, the water is retained, natural pools are formed, in them you can lie and enjoy the surrounding landscapes, the main thing is to check the bottom and not sit on the sea urchin. What actually happened to one of the guests of the hotel in my presence.
You can rent an apartment in Zanzibar in the Paje beach area of the middle level for 5000-6000 rubles. Guesthouses like Kilima Kidogo Guest House provide cozy rooms with a bed, a small wardrobe, a bathroom and a terrace. There are rooms with bunk beds for children.
In guesthouses of this type, there is no particular chic, everything is quite simple, but it is in such places that you can feel that you are on the island.
Hotels on Pingwe Beach
Beach Pingwe not very popular with tourists. It is quite secluded and quiet here, the beaches are dirty in places due to algae, the bottom is partly rocky.
Rental housing on Pingwe is slightly cheaper than in the more popular north of the island. You can stay in a good hotel with a swimming pool and a high level of service with 4 stars for 5000 rubles per day.
Quite a good hotel Dongwe Ocean View is located right on the beach, accommodation in it costs from 6300 rubles for two per day.
Nungvi Beach Accommodation
In the very north of the island of Zanzibar is its most beautiful beach - Nungvi... It is here that the sand is the whitest and the water is the most turquoise. The tide is very small, only a couple of meters. When the water leaves a little, small shoals and islets with white coral sand open up. These islets and spits can be reached on foot. Here time stops, even those who are indifferent to beach holidays will be lost in absolute bliss and wake up only at sunset.
In many reviews about holidays in Zanzibar, you can read that Nungvi Beach is a hangout place for young people, but parties are far away there, in principle, Zanzibar and hangouts are opposite things. Yes, there are more tourists on Nungvi than on other beaches in Zanzibar, but compared to Thailand and Sri Lanka, there are almost none.
In the evenings, most of the tourists are near restaurants Baracuda and Mom Miabut the romance is preserved. Tables with burning candles are placed on the sand, African music is playing quietly against the background of rustling waves, that's the whole "party". There are various cafes and restaurants on both sides of these establishments, but they are not crowded.
If you want to be closer to civilization, but at the same time feel like on a desert island, choose hotels on the outskirts of Nungwi village. Walking or going to the market for fruit will not take long, at the same time, at the hotel you will feel complete privacy with nature and the ocean.
The north of the island is in demand. Renting an apartment in Zanzibar near Nungwi Beach is the most expensive. Despite this, it is better to overpay a little, but stay right here, or choose a worse accommodation, but cheaper.
Of course, you can stay in a good hotel with excellent service in the area of other beaches, but believe me, the landscapes of Nungwi are not comparable to the best room in an expensive hotel.
Family-run Tanzanite Beach is one of the great value-for-money options. It is located in the east of the village. The rooms are small bungalow houses with a terrace overlooking the ocean. The houses are simple, furniture is a four-poster bed, a table, a small wardrobe and a wicker bedside table. There is always hot water in the shower.
The area is small but well appointed. As soon as you leave the bungalow, white sand, palm trees and hammocks - the atmosphere is amazing. The price of a standard room per day is 3500 rubles.
Prices for accommodation in five-star hotels are quite high, from 7,000 rubles / day. In a hotel with 4 stars DoubleTree, the cost of living per day is from 8500 rubles.
Relaxing in Zanzibar with friends is a great option. In a small private guesthouse Lighthouse with minimal amenities, a room will cost 1,440 rubles. Here you can have fun and have a great vacation for young people.
Be sure to check the vacation pricing information, which covers all the financial aspects of travel from hotels to cheap flights.
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