Zanzibar Islands

Zanzibar Islands Overview

You can visit Tanzania for the amazing safaris, the rich indigenous African culture and the Kilimanjaro. Nonetheless, its vibrant coastal life is something you don't want to miss! The Zanzibar islands are therefore a must on your checklist of experiencing Tanzania's best. The tropical and paradise-like beaches almost make you think you are in the Caribbean and yet you are in the heart of East Africa.

7 Unique Islands

Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia
Mnemba, Nakupenda, Fanjove, Chumbe

Marine Life

50+ Coral Species
460+ Fish Species

Spice Islands

Cloves, Cinnamon
Nutmeg, Cardamom

Stone Town

UNESCO Heritage Site
Rich Swahili Culture

Why Visit Tanzania's Islands?

Tropical Paradise: Experience pristine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and palm-fringed coastlines that rival the Caribbean, all in the heart of East Africa.

Rich Cultural Heritage: Explore Stone Town's UNESCO World Heritage sites, experience authentic Swahili culture, and discover the islands' fascinating history as trading centers for spices, ivory, and more.

Perfect safari and beach combination holidays
World-class diving and snorkeling experiences
Historic Stone Town UNESCO World Heritage Site
Authentic spice plantation tours and tastings
Swimming with whale sharks and dolphins
Romantic honeymoon and anniversary destinations
Exclusive private island retreats
Traditional dhow sailing adventures
Vibrant coral reefs and marine protected areas
Luxury resorts to budget-friendly accommodations

Island Highlights

Authentic Zanzibari Cuisine

Safari Blue Dhow Cruises

Giant Tortoise Sanctuaries

Prison Island Adventures

Jozani Forest Red Colobus

World-Class Kitesurfing

Explore Zanzibar's Paradise Islands

Each island offers unique experiences, from bustling cultural centers to exclusive private paradises. Discover which island matches your dream beach vacation.

Zanzibar Island - The Spice Island

Zanzibar is part of the Zanzibar Archipelago together with Pemba Island and many other smaller islands. Zanzibar Island offers a laidback beach life, but also a large variety of activities, a colorful culture and a deep history. You can go on a spice tour or explore the amazing coral reefs and swim among tropical reef fish.

Best Experience: The east coast of Zanzibar offers gorgeous and serene beaches, many activities, and various multi-cuisine restaurants, satisfying even the most picky taste palette. According to our travel experts, this side of the island offers you the overall best Zanzibarian experience.

Historic Stone Town

Spice Plantations

Perfect For: First-time visitors, cultural enthusiasts, food lovers, and those seeking variety in activities and accommodations.

Pemba Island - The Green Island

Pemba Island is one of the lesser known islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago. It is however a popular honeymoon destination. If you are looking for rest, tranquility and a romantic atmosphere – this is the place to be! The coral reefs surrounding the entire island form a magnificent playground for snorkelers and divers.

Marine Paradise: The Pemba channel has an impressive marine life and is much like an underwater paradise. Here, you can spot a large variety of colorful fish, sharks, dolphins and even whales. The island is also called the green island due to its rich and fertile soil, lush green hills and thick vegetation.

Honeymoon Paradise

Diving Heaven

Clove Plantations

Honeymoon Special: For newlyweds we offer a complimentary bottle of prosecco, a massage and a private dinner.

Mafia Island - Whale Shark Paradise

Mafia Island is a perfect escape from the fast pace and busy daily life. This island is still pure and untouched, which means there are no tarmac roads and only few tourists. It's like Zanzibar a few decades ago. The atmosphere is peaceful and the islanders are very friendly.

Marine Protected Area: Almost half of Mafia's coastline is part of the Mafia Island Marine Park, the largest protected area in the Indian Ocean. The barrier reef has 50 different corals and more than 460 species of fish! This is the place to spot humpback whales, turtles and the biggest fish on earth – the whale shark.

Whale Sharks

50 Coral Species

460+ Fish Species

Best Times: Humpback whales (late August-early October), Whale sharks (November-March).

Mnemba Island - Exclusive Barefoot Paradise

Mnemba Island is an exclusive barefoot paradise off the northeast coast of Zanzibar, owned by &Beyond (a luxury safari company). A triangular shaped reef – part of the Marine Protected Area – surrounds this island with its beautiful scuba dive sites, corals, fish and stunning ocean views.

Ultimate Luxury: The &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge provides top notch, high class luxury with only twelve bandas accommodating a maximum of 24 guests. Each banda has an appointed private butler who will serve you breakfast of tropical fruits, freshly squeezed juice, and Tanzanian coffee on your beachfront veranda.

Private Butler Service

Max 24 Guests

Access Note: Boat transfers are weather dependent. No jetties - direct beach landings with some wading required.

Nakupenda Island - Disappearing Sandbank Paradise

Nakupenda Island, meaning "I love you" in Swahili, is a magical disappearing sandbank located about 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town. This pristine white sandbank emerges from crystal-clear turquoise waters during low tide, creating a picture-perfect tropical paradise that appears and disappears with the ocean tides.

Ultimate Day Trip: Perfect for day excursions, Nakupenda offers an exclusive beach experience surrounded by nothing but endless ocean views. The shallow, warm waters are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation. Fresh seafood lunches are served on the beach, with local fishermen providing the day's catch.

Tidal Island

Day Trips

Snorkeling

Tide Dependent: Island visibility depends on tidal conditions. Best visited during low tide for maximum sandbank exposure.

Fanjove Private Island - Eco-Paradise

The Fanjove Private Island is part of the Songo Songo Archipelago, a group of five islands south of Mafia Island. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean support the diverse flora and fauna of this enchanting world, both in the water and on land. Here, the coral reefs attract many turtles that lay their eggs on the island from April to July.

Seasonal Wildlife: On some days, schools of dolphins visit the island. In January, the island turns into a paradise of colors when the butterflies appear! From May to September, you'll have the opportunity to watch humpback whales that pass by here on their journey through the Indian Ocean.

Eco-Bungalows

Solar Power

Turtle Nesting

Getting There: 40-minute flight from Dar es Salaam to Songo Songo, then 1-hour dhow or 20-minute speedboat.

Chumbe Island - Award-Winning Eco-Lodge

Chumbe Island Coral Park is an award-winning private nature reserve located only a few kilometers off the southwest coast of Zanzibar, near Stone Town. The reserve includes a fully protected coral reef sanctuary and a forest reserve. It harbors rare wildlife, a visitor and education center, and a small eco-lodge.

Sustainable Luxury: Only 7 bungalows on the entire island, making it feel spacious even at maximum capacity. All buildings operate on eco-technology aiming at zero impact on the environment, including rainwater catchment, photovoltaic energy, solar water heating, and composting toilets.

Only 7 Bungalows

Zero Impact

Award-Winning

Seasonal Closure: Chumbe Island is closed every year between April 1st and June 3rd.

Island Accommodation Categories

From budget-friendly beach resorts to ultra-luxury private island lodges, Tanzania's islands offer accommodations for every style and budget.

Silver Category

Fun Beach Resort (Zanzibar): 42 rooms with pool or beach view and modern amenities for maximum comfort.

Mafia Kivulini Lodge: Beautiful and rustic lodge at an affordable rate, offering all amenities for a dream beach vacation.

Pemba Lodge: Pemba's first true ecolodge, focused on benefitting guests, nature and the people of the island.

Gold Category

Next Paradise Boutique Resort: Ocean facing boutique resort with 25 elegantly furnished rooms and excellent dining.

The Manta Resort (Pemba): Remote island hideaway with authentic Swahili hospitality, featuring a unique submerged room experience.

Pole Pole Bungalows (Mafia): Exclusive eco-lodge with state-of-the-art water purification systems.

Platinum Category

Qambani Luxury Resort (Zanzibar): The most beautiful and decadent stay with six uniquely themed villas and impeccable service.

Fundu Lagoon (Pemba): Multiple-award-winning boutique hotel with private hillside and beachfront suites.

&Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge: Ultra-exclusive barefoot luxury with private butlers and maximum 24 guests.

Island Activities & Experiences

From cultural exploration to underwater adventures, Tanzania's islands offer diverse activities to create your perfect tropical escape.

Spice Tours

Walk with a guide through spice plantations where pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and fruit grows. Experience the aromatic journey that gave Zanzibar its "Spice Island" nickname.

Stone Town Cultural Tours

Stroll through narrow streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Sultan's Palace, House of Wonders, local markets, and the former slave market with rich Swahili history.

Snorkeling & Diving

Explore vibrant coral reefs with over 460 fish species. Swim with whale sharks, dolphins, and tropical reef fish in crystal-clear waters of marine protected areas.

Safari Blue Dhow Cruises

Full day sailing and snorkeling on traditional dhows. Visit 3 islands, enjoy seafood BBQ, swim at sandbanks, and watch dolphins in Menai Bay conservation area.

Kitesurfing & Water Sports

Perfect kitesurfing conditions at Paje, Kiwengwa and Nungwi beaches. Best seasons: December-March and June-October. Also enjoy wakeboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing.

Jozani Forest Tours

Jungle walk through the last indigenous forest on Zanzibar. Spot rare red colobus monkeys, endemic species, and learn about mangrove ecosystems and conservation efforts.

Best Time to Visit Zanzibar Islands

Dry Season (June - October)

Perfect beach weather with minimal rainfall
Calm seas ideal for diving and snorkeling
Best time for kitesurfing (June-October)
Humpback whale migration (August-October)
Clear blue skies and excellent photography
Combines perfectly with safari dry season

Wet Season (November - May)

Whale shark season (November-March)
Turtle nesting season (February-March)
Best kitesurfing season (December-March)
Lush green landscapes and blooming spices
Fewer tourists and better accommodation rates
Short afternoon showers, plenty of sunshine

Getting to Zanzibar Islands

Easy connections from Tanzania mainland and international destinations make island hopping convenient and accessible.

Flight Connections to Zanzibar

From Arusha (Safari Capital): 420 kilometers distance, flight time approximately 1 hour. Price indication: €285 one way.

From Dar es Salaam: Quick 20-minute flight, the most frequent connection. Price indication: €90 one way.

From Kilimanjaro International Airport: Direct flights available after safari, approximately 1.5 hours. Price indication: €350 one way.

Other Island Connections

Pemba Island: From Zanzibar (30 min) - €95

Pemba from Arusha: 2.5 hours - €350

Fanjove via Songo Songo: 40 min from Dar

Chumbe Island: 45 min boat from Stone Town

Travel Tips

Visa required for most nationalities

Yellow fever vaccination recommended

US Dollars widely accepted

Swahili and English spoken

GMT+3 timezone

Explore More Zanzibar & Beach Adventures

Discover other incredible beach holiday packages and romantic getaway experiences perfect for couples and beach lovers.

Beach Relax

5 Days

5 Days Zanzibar Beach Holiday

Perfect shorter beach getaway with Stone Town exploration, spice tours, and pristine beach relaxation. Ideal for those with limited time who want to experience Zanzibar's highlights.

Stone Town & Spice Tour

Beach Resort Stay

Quick Romantic Escape

View Beach Holiday

Adventure

10 Days

10 Days Safari + Beach Combo

Ultimate Tanzania experience combining thrilling wildlife safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro with romantic beach relaxation in Zanzibar. Best of both worlds adventure.

Big Five Safari

Beach Paradise

Complete Tanzania

View Combo Package

Cultural

3 Days

3 Days Stone Town & Spice Tour

Intensive cultural immersion in historic Stone Town with spice plantation tours, local markets, and UNESCO World Heritage site exploration. Perfect for culture enthusiasts.

UNESCO Heritage Site

Spice Plantations

Cultural Immersion

View Cultural Tour

Luxury

9 Days

9 Days Zanzibar Honeymoon Package

Ultimate luxury honeymoon experience with private dhow cruises, couples spa treatments, candlelit beach dinners, and exclusive romantic experiences in paradise.

Luxury Romance

Private Experiences

Honeymoon Special

View Honeymoon Package

Remote

6 Days

6 Days Pemba Island Adventure

Discover the untouched beauty of Pemba Island with pristine coral reefs, excellent diving, traditional culture, and secluded beaches away from the crowds.

Pristine Coral Reefs

World-Class Diving

Untouched Paradise

View Island Adventure

Marine

5 Days

5 Days Mafia Island Marine Park

Explore Tanzania's largest marine park with whale shark encounters, pristine coral gardens, traditional dhow building, and incredible deep-sea fishing experiences.

Whale Shark Swimming

Marine Park

Deep-Sea Fishing

View Marine Adventure

Ready for Your Romantic Zanzibar Adventure?

Let our experienced guides help you plan the perfect romantic getaway to the spice island paradise. Create unforgettable memories with your loved one in Zanzibar.

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