Kendwa Beach

Kendwa is ten minutes south of Nungwi by road, and it shares the same critical advantage: the tide barely retreats, so you can swim all day. The beach itself is wider and less built-up than Nungwi's northern end, with a long arc of soft white sand that rarely crowds. In the late afternoon the sand glows as the sun drops behind the water, and Kendwa's west-facing shore gives you a proper Indian Ocean sunset almost every evening the sky is clear. It's consistently one of the most photographed views on the island, and the light is genuinely worth being on the beach for.

The social centrepiece is Kendwa Rocks beach club, which runs Zanzibar's most well-known Full Moon party. Once a month the beach fills, the music starts at sunset, and it runs until early morning. Outside of full moon nights, the same venue is a relaxed bar and restaurant with beach loungers and good food. It's one of the better places to spend an afternoon doing nothing. The party element doesn't define Kendwa's everyday character. It's simply an option when you want it.

Accommodation is a mix of mid-range beach bungalows, a few boutique resorts and a handful of backpacker-friendly spots. Prices run lower than Nungwi's beachfront hotels. For couples who want swimming, consistent sunsets and social life available but not constant, Kendwa is usually the better choice over Nungwi. You get more space and a slower pace without giving up the north coast's swimming advantage.

Kendwa is the right base for Mnemba Atoll snorkelling, Stone Town day trips, spice farm tours and dolphin trips. It's close enough to Nungwi to eat there in the evenings or visit the turtle sanctuary on a short ride. The road between them is short and taxis cost very little.