Nungwi, Zanzibar: best beach for swimming at any tide
Nungwi sits on the northern tip of Zanzibar, where the tide barely moves the shoreline, so you can swim all day. It is the busiest beach on the island for sunset bars, dive centres and dhow builders, and it holds the widest range of hotels we contract.
Best for
- Swimming at any tide
- Sunset bars and nightlife
- Diving and Mnemba trips
The beach and the tide
Wide white sand that stays swimmable through low tide, unlike the east coast. Sunsets face straight out to sea.
Getting there
About 1 hr 15 min by private car from Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ), fixed price per vehicle.
See transfer pricesWhere to stay in Nungwi
Nungwi questions
Can you swim in Nungwi at low tide?
Yes. Nungwi and neighbouring Kendwa are the two Zanzibar beaches where the water stays deep enough to swim at any tide, which is why they suit swimmers better than Paje or Jambiani.
How far is Nungwi from Stone Town?
Roughly 60 km, about 1 hr 20 min by road. Most guests combine a Stone Town night with a few days in Nungwi.
Planning reading
The best time to visit Zanzibar, month by month
June to October is the most reliable window: dry, warm days around 28C, calm sea and low humidity. December to February is hotter and just as dry but costs the most. April and May bring the long rains and the lowest rates of the year.
Where to stay in Zanzibar: every beach compared
Nungwi and Kendwa for swimming at any tide and nightlife, Paje and Jambiani for kitesurfing and a young budget crowd, Matemwe and Pongwe for quiet high end beach, Michamvi for sunsets, Stone Town for history and your first or last night.
Zanzibar airport transfers: what it costs and how long it takes
A private transfer from Zanzibar airport costs from about 15 USD to Stone Town and 60 to 80 USD to the far north or east coast, for the whole car rather than per person. Drive times run from 20 minutes to 1 hour 40.