Zanzibar’s northwest coast is renowned for its calm waters and breathtaking sunsets. This area of Unguja offers quiet fishing villages and lively beach towns. Unlike the windier East Coast, the Northwest Coast boasts gentle waves and a laid-back vibe, making it an ideal destination for a relaxing beach holiday.If you rent a car in Zanzibar, you can freely visit nearby beaches, fishing villages, and historical sites like Mangapwani Coral Cave. This Mangapwani travel guide will show you how it fits into the wider northwest coast.
Mangapwani is a small village on Zanzibar’s northwest coast. It is located on the island of Zanzibar, approximately 25 kilometres north of Stone Town, which takes 30 minutes to drive. This location means Mangapwani is one of the first coastal areas you reach as you travel up the west side of the island. The village’s name hints at its heritage. “Mangapwani” means “Arabian Shore” in Swahili, reflecting influences from Zanzibar’s history.
Driving north from Stone Town along the coast, you’ll pass through lush greenery and a few local communities, then arrive at Mangapwani village by the sea. The northwest coast of Zanzibar runs from here up to Nungwi at the island’s northern tip. Mangapwani is in the quieter southern part of this coast.
Here’s what defines the northwest coast and why it appeals to so many travellers.
Zanzibar’s northwest coast is different from other parts of the island. Geographically, this coast faces west into the Indian Ocean, benefiting from calm seas and reduced tidal variation. The ocean floor drops off more steeply here, meaning there are no wide coral shallows that expose sandbars at low tide. In practical terms, the water stays close to the beach for most of the day.
The gentler tidal movement is one of the biggest draws of the northwest coast. With consistently accessible water and calmer conditions, swimmers and snorkellers can go to the sea all day without worrying about the tides.
Another highlight of the northwest coast is its unforgettable sunsets. Facing west, the beaches here offer front-row views as the sun sinks into the ocean each evening in a blaze of orange, pink, and purple. Many beaches become natural gathering spots for sunset. The evening atmosphere is lively, with impromptu beach football games and some guitar music.
Despite its natural beauty and exciting nightlife, the northwest coast is conveniently close to Zanzibar’s main facilities. Depending on how far north you stay, it’s only a 20 to 60-minute drive to Stone Town or the airport.
Mangapwani may be a quiet area, but it has its own special attractions and activities. If you’re looking for interesting things to do in Mangapwani, you won’t be disappointed. Here are the top things not to miss in Mangapwani:
The Mangapwani Caves are the most famous attraction in the village. In fact, there are two notable cave sites to explore: a natural coral cavern and an old slave chamber. The first is the Mangapwani Coral Cave, a large natural cave carved into the coral limestone rock. Inside, it has a narrow entrance and a freshwater pool at the bottom. Long ago, local people used this underground pool as a source of fresh water. The cave had even been forgotten for a time until it was rediscovered in the 19th century.
A few kilometres away is the Mangapwani Slave Chamber, which is sometimes considered part of the cave visit. Despite the name, this chamber is not a natural cave but a man-made underground cell cut into the coral rock. It’s a small square room with a roof, built around 1880 by a local slave trader.
You’ll step into spaces where history unfolded. It’s recommended to go with a local guide who can explain the stories behind the caves and chambers. Guides are available on-site or through tour companies. Inside the coral cavern, it’s quite dark and humid, so be sure to bring a torch/flashlight and wear sturdy shoes if you plan to descend the stone steps.
Mangapwani Beach is a quiet, unspoilt stretch of coast that offers a welcome change of pace from Zanzibar’s busier beaches. The shoreline is peaceful, with soft, pale sand mixed with coral rock formations. There are no large resorts or crowds.
At most, you may see a few local fishermen or a small number of visitors from town, particularly at weekends.The water is usually calm and clear, making it an excellent spot for swimming. However, be cautious around the occasional rocky areas. You can also swim at the point where the slave chamber cave opens near the shore.
Late afternoon is one of the best times to enjoy Mangapwani Beach. It is ideal for a sunset walk, with warm sand under your feet and very few people around. There is a small restaurant and beach bar from a private beach club in the area, where you can enjoy a cold drink or a fresh seafood lunch.
One of the simplest pleasures of Mangapwani is wandering around the village and the nearby coast on foot. This is a traditional coastal settlement, so walking offers a clear view of everyday local life. You will likely pass friendly villagers going about their routines. Women may be cooking or caring for children, while men repair fishing nets or head out to sea in wooden dhows.
Cows and goats often wander freely, as farming and livestock remain part of village life. As you move closer to the shoreline, the landscape features low coral rock cliffs and dense coastal vegetation. Well-worn footpaths used by local residents lead to viewpoints where the turquoise water stretches out into the distance.
While exploring the area, you may also come across traces of colonial history. Mangapwani is home to several World War II bunkers hidden near the coast. These small concrete structures were built by the British in the 1940s as observation posts to watch for enemy ships. They are partially concealed by trees and may resemble abandoned cement rooms. If you climb onto one, you will get an even wider view of the ocean.
Mangapwani is an excellent starting point for discovering the rest of Zanzibar’s Northwest Coast. After exploring the village and its nearby attractions, you may want to travel further along the shoreline.
If you drive north from Mangapwani, you will reach Kendwa in about 30 to 40 minutes, with Nungwi a little further on. These are the most well-known beach destinations on this stretch of coast. Located at the northern tip of the island, they offer a much livelier atmosphere, with large resorts, restaurants, and nightlife.
Travelling south from Mangapwani towards Stone Town, you will pass Chuini, which lies about 12 kilometres north of the city. Chuini is best known for its historic palace ruins set close to the sea. You will also find the remains of the former Sultan’s palace stand near the shoreline.
Distances along the coast are manageable. The journey from Mangapwani to Nungwi is approximately 40 kilometres and typically takes around an hour by car. A typical day might include a morning at Mangapwani Beach and the caves, lunch in Chuini, and an afternoon swim in Kendwa, finishing with dinner in Nungwi.
Zanzibar’s northwest shore is home to some of the best beaches on the island. Below is a look at a few top beaches along the Northwest Coast aside from Mangapwani Beach:
Chuini Beach is a small, scenic beach area located around the site of the Chuini Palace Ruins, about a 15 to 20 minute drive south of Mangapwani. The setting is distinctive, with a coral stone coastline broken by pockets of sand and the weathered remains of a 19th-century Sultan’s residence standing just behind the shore.
The beach is quiet and is mostly used by guests staying at the nearby lodge, along with the occasional day visitor who comes to explore the ruins. Swimming is possible, as the water is generally calm, although coral rocks can be found underfoot in some areas. Wearing water shoes is advisable.
While Chuini does not offer long stretches of sandy beach, it more than compensates with character and views. You can climb part of the old aqueduct ruins, which provide an elevated viewpoint over the ocean. This makes the area especially appealing for photography, with crumbling arches set against the deep blue sea.
Kendwa Beach is often regarded as one of Zanzibar’s finest beaches, and there are clear reasons for its reputation. It is a wide stretch of white sand on the northwestern tip of the island. The sand is powder soft and brilliantly white, while the turquoise water is clear and inviting.
Kendwa is especially well known for being suitable for swimming at any time of day. It experiences very little tidal change, so there is no need to walk far out to sea during low tide. The water remains relatively deep close to the shore, and the waves are gentle.
Even so, the beach is rarely crowded because the shoreline is so broad. Accommodation options range from simple bungalows for budget travellers to high-end resorts, alongside a good selection of beach bars and restaurants. You can join a game of volleyball, go snorkelling directly from the beach, or unwind beneath a palm umbrella.
In the evening, Kendwa is a favourite spot for sunset watchers. The sunsets are famous for their intense colours and uninterrupted horizon, with the sky often glowing in deep orange and soft pink tones. Kendwa is also renowned for its Full Moon beach parties, which occur once a month and feature music, dancing, and night celebrations.
Nungwi Beach sits at Zanzibar’s northernmost tip and is the liveliest beach on the Northwest Coast. It lies beside Nungwi Village, a large fishing community that has grown into a busy tourist town. The beach features broad, white sands and clear, blue water, similar to Kendwa, with only mild tidal changes, which means swimming is enjoyable at almost any time of day.
What sets Nungwi apart is its energetic beach town atmosphere. Along the shoreline, there are hotels and guesthouses, open-air restaurants, reggae-stle bars, souvenir stalls, and diving centres. You may see visitors sunbathing beside local children playing football, or fishermen bringing in the day’s catch while travellers relax nearby with fresh fruit drinks.
One of the most popular experiences is a sunset dhow cruise, where you sail along the shoreline on a traditional wooden boat as the sun sinks into the sea. Other activities include paddleboarding, kayaking, and jet skiing. Nungwi is an important centre for traditional dhow building. In the morning, a walk to the northern end of the beach reveals skilled craftsmen carving and assembling large wooden sailing boats by hand.
Zanzibar’s Northwest Coast, with Mangapwani as its quiet gateway, encapsulates so much of what makes the island special. Here, you can enjoy calm seas, rich history, and stunning sunsets all in one day. Mangapwani offers an authentic, laid-back introduction, from its hidden caves to its uncrowded beach. As you move north along the coast, the energy gently rises. You’ll find bigger beaches and more buzz at Kendwa and Nungwi.
Start planning your Zanzibar adventure by renting a car with Final Rentals. With Final Rentals, booking a car online is fast and simple. Select Abeid Amani Karume International Airport as your pickup location, enter your travel dates, and choose a vehicle for your trip. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
