Best beach holidays in Zanzibar
Zanzibar provides some of the top destinations for beach holidays, with endless stretches of palm-fringed, white powdery beach, shallow turquoise waters and laidback beach retreats.
During extensive research trips, we have visited virtually every beach, lodge and hotel on Zanzibar (over 350 of them!). Then we have carefully picked the most promising to include in our programme.
14 of our favourite beach hotels and lodges in Zanzibar
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| Traveller's rating 
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Baraza Resort & Spa
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100% (8 reviews)
Baraza sits on a beautiful long stretch of white beach on the Michamvi Peninsula. With plenty of loungers, a very large swimming pool and a great watersports centre it is a fantastic beach getaway. More about Baraza Resort & Spa -
Breezes Beach Club
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90% (32 reviews)
Breezes Beach Club sits on a beautiful long stretch of white beach on the Michamvi Peninsula. With plenty of loungers, a very large swimming pool and a great water-sports centre it is the location for a great beach holidays particularly for families. More about Breezes Beach Club -
Kilindi
|95% (19 reviews)
With a 500m stretch of white sand, the beach is a main feature at Kilindi. The location on the north-west coast means that sun sets over the sea - a unique feature for the east coast, which creates the best evening scenery on your beach holiday. More about Kilindi -
Matemwe Lodge
|89% (33 reviews)
Get equipment for long reef walks, snorkeling and kayaking at the water sport centre on Matemwe’s incredible white beach stretch. The lodge also has strong links with the local village. You can even join a local fishing trip for a unique holiday experience. More about Matemwe Lodge -
Matemwe Retreat
|89% (9 reviews)
Many guests at Matemwe Retreat will stay in their villa, but a short walk away, the Retreat’s private beach usually has crystal clear water and, at high tide, it’s great for swimming. When the tide goes out the exposed inter-tidal zone is also a fascinating place to walk. More about Matemwe Retreat -
Mnemba Island Lodge
|97% (7 reviews)
Mnemba is the ultimate remote, exclusive beach retreat. It's simple, relaxing and laid-back, with a very high quality that's delightfully understated. It is costly, but it will be one of your best beach holidays. More about Mnemba Island Lodge -
Pongwe Beach Hotel
|95% (62 reviews)
At Pongwe is one of the best beaches we have ever seen in Zanzibar. When the tide is high, Pongwe sits in a private, sandy cove. Then when it goes out, a wonderful stretch of inter-tidal zone is revealed for walking and exploring. More about Pongwe Beach Hotel -
Qambani
Tucked away at the northern tip of the Michamvi Peninsula, Qambani boasts a wide expanse of quiet, white sandy beaches and azure blue waters. It provides a fantastic location to lie back, relax and enjoy your surroundings on a beach holiday in Zanzibar. More about Qambani -
Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel
|92% (13 reviews)
With white sand and turquoise waters, Ras Nungwi is a compact, well-run beach lodge. It has a notably good swimming pool, excellent facilitates and a lively, but not intrusive, atmosphere that is particularly well-suited to families with older children. More about Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel -
Sultan Palace
|95% (4 reviews)
Sultan Palace is a luxurious hotel, which sits on a lovely stretch of beach on the Michamvi Peninsula. There are loungers galore and plenty of shaded spots to lie back and relax. Being cut off at one end by a cliff, the beach is peaceful and almost deserted. More about Sultan Palace -
Sunshine Hotel
|80% (3 reviews)
Located on a lovely white beach, typical of Zanzibar’s east coast, Sunshine Hotel is a good-value place to stay which is colourful, bright and vibrant. Away from the beach’s attractions, it has pleasant gardens and a relaxed lounge and cocktail bar. More about Sunshine Hotel -
Tulia Zanzibar Beach Resort
For a totally relaxing, luxury beach break, with a very high standard of cuisine, Tulia Resort is hard to beat. The location is serene, the sea is often crystal clear for snorkelling and diving, and the pools and waterslides are fun. More about Tulia Zanzibar -
Unguja Lodge
|93% (73 reviews)
Unguja Lodge doesn’t have one of Zanzibar’s classic, endless long white beaches, but it is far away from other lodges and as a result is free from any hassle. Dive or snorkel straight from the beach to explore the coral cliff for a special holiday experience in east Africa. More about Unguja Lodge -
White Sand Villas
|100% (1 review)
Contemporary and luxurious in style, White Sand Villas sits on 200m of beautiful sandy coastline, ideal for a beach break in Zanzibar. Here you can enjoy a stroll along the beach and watch the kitesurfers skim across the waves – or join them! More about White Sand Villas
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