Matched
The Right Coast for You
We know where the tides, the crowds and the quiet are, and choose the beach that suits your days.
06°09′S 39°11′E Indian Ocean · 18:10
Curated Around You
Zanzibar Beach Holidays & Tanzania's Coast.
From Arusha 1 h 20 Flight to the beach
Plan My Zanzibar Holiday5-Star Rated · 20+ Years in Tanzania · No Sub-Agents
Where is the best beach holiday in Tanzania?
Zanzibar is Tanzania's best-known beach destination: an island in the Indian Ocean off the mainland coast, with white sand, warm turquoise water, coral reefs and Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each coast feels different: the north for swimming at any tide, the east for reefs, kitesurfing and quiet villages, the south-west for sunsets. Beyond Zanzibar, Tanzania's coast also includes Pemba, Mafia Island and Saadani. Yera Journeys plans private Zanzibar holidays on their own or after a safari.
Why Zanzibar with Yera
The Right Beach, Not Just a Beach.
Turquoise water looks the same in every photo. The experience behind it does not. On one coast the sea stays deep enough to swim all day; on another it pulls back hundreds of metres at low tide. One beach is lively with bars and music, another has nothing but palms and fishing boats.
We match you to the stretch of coast and the style of stay that fit how you want to spend your days: swimming, diving, kitesurfing, reading under a palm, or barely moving at all.
Then we add what makes Zanzibar more than a beach: the alleys and carved doors of Stone Town, a spice farm, a dhow to a sandbank, or a boat to Mnemba's reef. Every transfer is arranged, so you simply arrive.
Zanzibar
Warm water. White sand. A beach chosen for you, not from a brochure.
What you get
Six Benefits of a Zanzibar Holiday With Yera
Culture
Stone Town and Spice Farms
Walk a UNESCO old town, taste fresh spices and eat on the waterfront at night.
Ocean
Reefs, Dolphins and Sandbanks
Snorkel or dive Mnemba, sail by dhow to a sandbank and swim in warm, clear water.
Beyond
More Than Zanzibar
Pemba for wild diving, Mafia for whale sharks, and quiet mainland beaches few people reach.
Safari
Easy After a Safari
Fly from the Serengeti, Arusha, Nyerere or Ruaha straight to the beach in a few hours.
Care
Every Detail Arranged
Flights, transfers, hotels and trips handled by our own team, with no sub-agents.
Zanzibar beach guide
Best Beaches in Zanzibar, Coast by Coast
| Coast | Beaches | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Nungwi, Kendwa | Swimming at any tide, sunsets, lively evenings | Busiest coast, with the most hotels |
| North-east | Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Pongwe | Reef views, Mnemba trips, quiet luxury | Tide goes out in the afternoon |
| East | Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu | Kitesurfing, village life, long walks | Large tides; lagoon is shallow at low tide |
| South-east | Michamvi, Pingwe | Sunset on the east coast, couples | Peninsula with views on both sides |
| South-west | Fumba, Menai Bay | Dolphins, sandbanks, calm and private | Close to the airport and Stone Town |
| Stone Town | Waterfront | History, food, culture, 1 to 2 nights | Best before or after the beach |
Not sure which coast? Tell us how you like to spend a day and we will choose for you.
Things to do
Things to Do in Zanzibar
In the sea
- Snorkelling and diving at Mnemba Atoll
- Dhow trips to sandbanks
- Kitesurfing in Paje
- Swimming with dolphins, responsibly, in Menai Bay
Culture
- Stone Town walking tour
- Spice farm visit
- Forodhani night food market
- Prison Island giant tortoises
Nature
- Jozani Forest and the Zanzibar red colobus
- Mangrove boardwalks
- Village and seaweed farm visits
Rest
- Spa and beach days
- Sunset dhow cruises
- Private dinners on the sand
Tanzania's coast and islands
Beyond Zanzibar: Tanzania's Other Beaches
Pemba Island
Green, quiet and wild, with deep coral walls for some of East Africa's best diving.
Mafia Island
A marine park with whale sharks in season, calm reefs and a slow island pace.
Saadani & Pangani
Where the bush meets the beach: game drives and ocean in one stay on the mainland.
Kilwa
UNESCO ruins of an old Swahili trading city on the quiet southern coast.
Every coast is available in Classic, Signature or Bespoke styles: beach hotels, boutique lodges, villas and private islands. Facilities vary; we confirm everything in writing.
When to go
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar
June to October
Dry, sunny and less humid, with steady breezes. The best time overall and perfect after a migration safari.
December to February
Hot, calm and clear. Great for snorkelling, diving and long beach days.
March to May and November
Rain, with long rains from March to May when some hotels close. Fewer guests and good value.
At a glance
Zanzibar Facts
| Location | Indian Ocean, off Tanzania's mainland coast |
|---|---|
| Famous for | White beaches, Stone Town, spices, coral reefs |
| Stone Town | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Getting there | International flights to Zanzibar, or about 1 hour 20 minutes by air from Arusha; ferry from Dar es Salaam |
| Sea temperature | Warm all year |
| Ideal stay | 4 to 7 nights; 1 to 2 nights in Stone Town |
| Best time | June to October and December to February |
| Other islands | Pemba, Mafia, Mnemba |
Zanzibar holidays
Zanzibar Holiday Ideas
Combine Zanzibar with
Best Safaris to Pair With Zanzibar
Serengeti
The migration and big cats, then a short flight to the sea.
Nyerere
Boat safaris and wild dogs, the closest big park to Zanzibar.
Ngorongoro
The crater and its rhinos on a classic northern safari.
Kilimanjaro
Climb to the roof of Africa, then recover on the beach.
Our promise
Plan With Confidence
No cost to start
Your Zanzibar proposal is free, with no obligation.
Revise until it's right
Change beaches, hotels and days before you confirm.
Clear price in writing
Every inclusion and exclusion stated before you pay.
Questions travellers ask
Zanzibar Holiday FAQs
Which is the best beach in Zanzibar?
It depends on what you want. Nungwi and Kendwa in the north are best for swimming at any tide and sunsets. Matemwe and Kiwengwa suit reef trips and quiet luxury. Paje and Jambiani are best for kitesurfing and village life. We match the beach to you.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
June to October and December to February are the driest and sunniest months. March to May brings the long rains, when some hotels close.
How many days do you need in Zanzibar?
Four to seven nights is ideal: one or two nights in Stone Town and the rest on the beach. After a safari, even three or four nights are worth it.
How do you get to Zanzibar from a safari?
By light aircraft from Arusha, the Serengeti, Nyerere or Ruaha. Arusha to Zanzibar takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. There is also a ferry from Dar es Salaam.
Is Zanzibar good for families and honeymooners?
Yes. Families like the calm north and the many activities; couples love private villas, sunset dhows and dinners on the sand. We choose hotels to fit each.
What is there to do in Zanzibar besides the beach?
Stone Town, spice farms, Mnemba snorkelling, Jozani Forest and its red colobus monkeys, Prison Island tortoises, sandbank trips and the Forodhani night market.
Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia?
Zanzibar has the most choice, culture and easy flights. Pemba is quieter and best for divers. Mafia is a small marine park known for whale sharks in season. You can combine them.
Begin your journey
Let's Plan Your Zanzibar Holiday
Tell us your dates and how you like to spend your days. A private proposal reaches you within 24 hours.