Best Things to Do In Zanzibar

Located just off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is a tourist paradise, surrounded by the Indian Ocean with sounds of palm leaves rustling, sweet smell of spices, and enviable surroundings.

Zanzibar also features a beautiful setting for sheer leisure and offers a variety of unique cultural and adventurous activities. The island intrigues you with its traditional Dhows sailing on the ocean and the ornate Omani imperial architecture. It also attracts visitors with its pristine beaches, narrow cobbled alleyways in Stone Town, and beautiful accommodation for every budget.

If Instagram-worthy beachfront hotels or resorts, delicious seafood, and charming traditional Old town sound intriguing, book your next vacation to Zanzibar with us today. Read on to discover some of the best things to do in Zanzibar when you are there.

Explore Stone Town

Zanzibar’s iconic capital, Stone Town is steeped in history and brimming with charm. Often called Mji Mkongwe in Swahili, Stone Town is the ancient part of Zanzibar City. Home to about 160,000 residents, the Old Town features a fusion of African and Arabian cultures. Walking around the Old Town is a fantastic experience.

It has narrow passageways and streets that you can explore. These historic streets are home to several local art galleries, fabric stores, curio shops, and quirky coffee shops. You will see small children running around the corners, and the adults watching people from their window ledge above.

Enjoy The Nungwi Village Tour

Nungwi village is renowned for its traditional dhow boatyard and its golden sand beach. You have an opportunity to learn how artisan shipbuilders produce the iconic dhows and release them into the sea. The tour takes you to the fish market, where you watch some of the biggest catches from the previous night. Tourists can take a dip at the Mnarani Natural Aquarium, which is full of protected sea turtles.

Try Kitesurfing On The East Coast

If you want something more exciting at the beach, you can consider kitesurfing. Some of the ideal places where kitesurfing is popular include Kiwengwa, Pwani Mchangani, Dongwe, Paje, and Jambiani. Paje is the busiest and perfect spot for kitesurfing due to its long stretch of white sand.

You can visit the kitesurfing shops and pick the right equipment for your adventure. The windy season is when people visit Zanzibar for this sport. June to October is when the locals experience the strongest winds, while mid-December to March offers a mild windy season.

Take A Dhow Ride To Prison Island

The Prison Island is a half-day tour with the traditional dhow ride. Prison Island, also known as Changuu, is an 800 by 200-metre island located around 6 kilometres northwest of Stone Town. You can take a traditional Dhow ride to this island, which once served as an isolation region for rebellious slaves. Years later, it became a quarantine station for yellow fever patients.

However, Prison Island was not for convicts or criminals. People visit the island to see the vulnerable Aldabra giant tortoises and explore the fascinating Slave Trade Museum. If you enjoy snorkelling, there are various coral spots to dive around the surrounding area. If you are lucky, you may spot pods of dolphins as they frequent the area too.

Watch Wildlife In Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is designated as a low-lying sanctuary for endangered endemic wildlife such as the Zanzibar servaline genet and the Zanzibar red colobus. Sighting of the Zanzibar leopard can happen, but it is a rare occurrence.  If you’re lucky, you can also find bushbabies, monkeys and duiker antelope in the park. The park is full of saltwater mangroves and tropical forests.

Discover The Ruins of Maruhubi Palace

The ruined Maruhubi Palace opens up the affluent lifestyles of the Omani sultans.  The third Sultan of Zanzibar built the palace in 1880, but a fire destroyed Maruhubi in 1899. You can see the scenic palm-surrounded ruins with stone columns hint at an upper balcony and the remains of a Persian-style bathhouse.

Explore Coral Reefs On Snorkel

The island has serene turquoise waters that hide colourful reefs teamed with rich marine life.  Zanzibar is a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers.  With numerous reefs to pick, starting from the pristine coral walls of Mnemba Island to the British shipwrecks off Stone Town, you have a water adventure to undertake.  The Leven Bank has nutrient-rich currents with large game fish like the shoals of barracuda, trevally, and tuna.  You can see humpback whales from August to September.

Walk Barefoot On Mnemba Island

Book accommodation for a night or two at Mnemba Island and recreate the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle. The island offers guests an unforgettable experience at its 12 rustic-chic beachside bandas.  Seafood prepared by skilled chefs is served some distance from the water’s edge.

You can set sail across the waters on a dhow, unwind with an in-room massage or yoga class.  Other activities to enjoy on Mnemba Island include paddleboarding, fly-fishing, kayaking, and snorkelling.

Soak Up The Sun On The Beaches

No visit to Zanzibar is complete without soaking up the sun in some of the island’s magical beaches. You have seaweed-strewn rocks and a considerable distance to cover before you reach the low tidewater.

However, beaches like the Nungwi and Kendwa are picture-perfect crystalline turquoise waters with soft white sand. The island is known for its magnificent crimson sunsets, which may be seen from a variety of places, most especially Stone Town.

Have A Taste Of The Local Foods

When you visit Zanzibar Island, you will have the opportunity to try many more cuisines. Forodhani, often known as ‘Zanzibar pizza,’ will leave you wanting more. The people’s favourite street food is a mixture of egg, mayo, veggies, and meat wrapped in a thin dough and then fried. Dafu (young coconuts) are popular snacks on the island.

If you love seafood, you should visit a popular restaurant, called The Rock, located on the east coast of Zanzibar. It’s approximately an hour from Stone Town. This restaurant, situated on a large boulder overlooking the ocean, is more renowned for its picturesque and one-of-a-kind setting rather than its delicious cuisine. If you want to indulge yourself, you should try their tagliolini or crab spaghetti for an appetizer and the seafood platter – calamari, fish, lobster and Jumbo prawns for your main course.

When you think you’ve explored Zanzibar, it pulls out places you can’t help but visit. The beautiful island awaits you with more fun things to see and do.