In the southeast corner of Zanzibar, the Michamvi Peninsula and south-east Zanzibar is very similar in character to the east coast which stretches north of Chwaka Bay – and is covered on this site under East Coast Zanzibar. It has the same powder-white stunning beaches, barrier reef, palm trees and significant tidal change.

In fact, that area south of the peninsular, around Paje, Bwejuu and Jambiani, used to be the busiest part of Zanzibar's beach scene – especially for backpackers. But in recent years low budget travellers have moved more to northern Zanzibar, around Nungwi and Kendwa, leaving this south-east stretch relatively quiet. This leaves the south-east as more of a low-key, low-impact beach retreat.

Meanwhile the 10km-long Michamvi Peninsula's, there are just a handful of high-quality beach retreats; so come here for the pristine, palm-fringed beaches, good diving opportunities and plenty of space.

Breezes Beach Club is a large, international-style, resort that's long been a favourite with honeymooners and families. It has 70 rooms with all the amenities of a good hotel, including several restaurants, a large swimming pool, oodles of resources for activities, a good dive centre, and even a disco.

Robinson's Place is really more of a family home than a lodge. It's got a handful of rooms but we recommend the en-suite master bedroom, which is a huge room with a double and a three-quarter bed, bright fabrics and a spotless en-suite bathroom. Expect a very friendly welcome, food cooked on open fires, and no electricity!

At the northern end of a pristine beach, the Sultan Palace is an elegant lodge. It's privately owned and has just 15 very large air-conditioned suites spread around its gardens. Sultan's is expensive around Christmas and August, but superb value at other times. For a high-quality, romantic ambience, it's ideal.

For somewhere totally different, the Sunrise Hotel & Restaurant is an old- style beach hotel that has been renovated into a well-maintained, colourful, simple beach hotel. Surprisingly, it now serves some of the very best and most impressive food available on Zanzibar. If you want a simple, inexpensive hotel with absolutely superb food – look no further!

Immediately next to Beezes Beach Club, The Palms is the more exclusive, more costly sibling of Breezes. It has six modern, luxurious villas and a small outdoor pool. Palms oozes exclusivity and appeals most to a young, monied crowd.


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