Nungwi Beach

Nungwi sits at the very north of Zanzibar, and the geography matters: the island's northern tip has far less tidal variation than the east coast, which means you can swim in deep, clear water at six in the morning and again at four in the afternoon without finding a kilometre of exposed seaweed flats in between. On the east coast, that's not always possible. This is the practical reason Nungwi consistently tops recommendations for swimming, and it's a real advantage rather than marketing language. The water is genuinely turquoise and deep rather than shallow and tide-dependent, and there's almost always a gentle breeze off the Indian Ocean that keeps the heat bearable.

The beach is lively in a way the east coast isn't. Sunset bars line the western shore, grills smoke on the beach in the evenings, and local dhow builders work their yards at the water's edge in full view. Traditional dhow construction using centuries-old methods happens right alongside the tourist restaurants, and it's worth spending an hour watching. The Mnarani Marine Turtle Sanctuary sits just east of the village. You can swim with green sea turtles in a tidal pool managed by the local community, and the entry fee goes directly to the rehabilitation programme. Boat trips to Mnemba Atoll, Zanzibar's richest reef system, depart from Nungwi's shore in the mornings, and the snorkelling there is a different category from anything near the main beaches.

Accommodation runs from beachfront resorts at USD 150 and above to guesthouses a few streets inland at USD 20 to 40 a night for a clean room with fan or air conditioning. The village between the beach and the main road has local restaurants, fresh juice stalls and food at a fraction of the resort prices. If you're travelling on a budget, the distance to the beach is five minutes on foot and the sand and water are identical. You can have Nungwi's beach on any budget.

Getting here takes about an hour from Zanzibar airport by road. Most hotels arrange transfers, or shared dala-dalas run the route for under a dollar. June to October is dry and breezy, and December to February is hot and sunny. Both are the best windows. March to May is the long rainy season and the beach quietens considerably.