Zanzibar Island, also known as Unguja, is a relatively small island. Taking in more than 200 kilometres of coastline, it is a great place to go on a road trip. You can drive from one end of the island to another in a few hours in a rental car. Our guide will show you how to drive from Zanzibar's airport to find hidden beaches, fishing villages, and wild coastal areas. We'll also go over driving tips and show you where to find wild coast attractions in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar's roads make it easy to get around the capital and see everything. Stone Town is in the middle of the West Coast. You can drive to beaches in the north, villages in the east, or bays in the south. Here are things to know before renting and driving a car in Zanzibar:
Zanzibar has many beautiful coastlines, from palm-fringed stretches of powdery sand to secluded coves where coral cliffs meet the sea. In this section, we'll divide the island's wild coastline into regions so you know what to expect in each direction.
The road north from Zanzibar City takes you through small towns and lush greenery before reaching the northern tip of Zanzibar in about an hour. Nungwi and Kendwa are two coastal villages next to each other that are known for their beautiful beaches and lively atmosphere. The drive takes about 60 km on a paved road. If you have time, you can stop at the Mkokotoni fish market to see fishermen unloading their catch at dawn. As you get closer to Nungwi, the road gets narrower. You might start to see the turquoise Indian Ocean between the palm trees.
Nungwi Beach: When you get to Nungwi, you'll see why it's one of Zanzibar's most popular beaches. The beach here is a wide stretch of white sand that meets clear water. There isn't a big tidal effect like the East Coast, so swimming is good all day. Nungwi's coast has resorts and guesthouses, but it still has a local charm because it used to be a fishing village. You can see local craftsmen building dhows along the shore or go to the Mnarani Marine Turtle Sanctuary, a lagoon that helps injured sea turtles. If you like marine life, this is a nice way to learn about Zanzibar's conservation efforts and see young turtles up close. Nungwi is also famous for having some of the most beautiful sunsets on the island.
Kendwa Beach: Kendwa is another beautiful beach in the north, 12 minutes away from Nungwi. The beach is wide and not significantly affected by tides, so you can swim at any time of day or night. During the day, Kendwa is very relaxed. People play beach volleyball, go snorkelling to nearby reefs, and sunbathe under palm thatch umbrellas. Kendwa comes to life at night, especially during the Full Moon Party at a resort. This monthly beach festival has music and dancing and draws people from all over the island. Some beach bars are busy even on regular nights, but Kendwa is usually quieter than Nungwi.
If you crave a more peaceful, wild coastline experience, the north-east coast of Zanzibar is ideal. Heading east from Nungwi brings you to Matemwe, Kigomani, and other fishing villages facing the Mnemba Island reef. This side of the island is less developed, with miles of palm-lined shore. The drive from Nungwi to Matemwe takes about 40 minutes through coconut plantations and coral rag terrain.
Matemwe Beach: Matemwe is a long, quiet stretch of coastline on the north-east, known for its serenity. When you arrive, you’ll notice an expansive beach with fine white sand, often with only a few fishermen or seaweed farmers in sight. Matemwe village is small and traditional; the locals make their living from fishing and harvesting seaweed. At low tide, you can see rows of seaweed farms staked out in the shallow waters. If you walk around the village, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to Zanzibar before mass tourism.
Mnemba Atoll: A few kilometres off the coast of Matemwe is Mnemba Atoll, a small round island with a bright turquoise halo around it. People come to Mnemba Island for the amazing coral reef, one of East Africa's best places to snorkel and dive. The island is private and has a luxury lodge. You can't drive to Mnemba, but you can enjoy the view or book a snorkel boat trip nearby. Matemwe is the starting point for these trips, which usually last a few hours and let you snorkel with colourful fish and maybe even sea turtles.
Kigomani and north-east villages: For those truly chasing the wild coast attractions in Zanzibar, drive a bit further north of Matemwe to Kigomani or the tip of the north-east coast. Kigomani is one such fishing hamlet about8 kilometres south of Matemwe. It is known for its thriving seaweed farms and a completely non-touristic vibe. There are no resorts here, but golden beaches used by villagers and vistas across the water to Mnemba. It’s a perfect spot to park under a palm and enjoy your packed picnic lunch, all while watching local women gather seaweed and fishermen mend nets. The beach here is beautiful, but it isn’t the best for swimming because it’s shallow with coral underfoot.
Zanzibar’s east coast is famed for its picture-postcard tropical beaches and lagoon-like seas. Driving from Stone Town to Paje takes about 10 minutes. The route crosses the island via the Karume Road. As you approach Paje, you’ll see glimpses of bright blue ocean peeking through the palm groves.
Paje Beach: The village of Paje is a lively but relaxed beach town that has become the unofficial watersports capital of Zanzibar. When you get to Paje, you'll see colourful kites in the sky. This is one of the best places to kiteboard because the winds are steady and the lagoon is wide and shallow. There are a lot of kite schools along the beach. When the tide is low, the sea goes out far, leaving behind rippled sand bars where women gather shells and seaweed. The water rises to the palms at high tide, making it a perfect place to swim. Beyond the beach, Paje has a string of chill cafés, reggae bars, and small restaurants along its sandy lanes.
Jambiani: Jambiani is another great beach village, just south of Paje. The Paje-Jambiani coastal road is one of the most beautiful drives on the island. You can see the Jozani wetlands inland through lush vegetation on one side. On the other side, the ocean sparkles between coconut palms and thatched huts. It is long, has fine sand, and has a reef offshore. You can visit the Kuza Cave on the outskirts of Jambiani. It's a limestone cave with a clear freshwater pool where you can take a cool dip. There is a small entrance fee that goes directly to community projects.
Bwejuu: Bwejuu is a few minutes north of Paje and is known for being one of Zanzibar's quietest and cleanest beaches. Bwejuu is often one of the best beaches in Africa because it is so peaceful and has palm trees. If you want a peaceful walk, drive up there along the shore. You might not see anyone else, except maybe a couple of fishermen fixing nets under a palm tree.
Going to the southern end of Zanzibar is a different kind of coastal adventure. It focuses on the peaceful life in a fishing village, spotting dolphins, and exploring untouched coves. Kizimkazi, a town at the southern tip of the island, is the best example of the south coast. You can drive about 60 km south from Stone Town through forests and coconut plantations, then down a smaller road to Kizimkazi.
Kizimkazi: Kizimkazi consists of two adjacent villages. Kizimkazi Dimbani and Kizimkazi Mkunguni. The village is famed for its resident dolphins. In early mornings, bottlenose and spinner dolphins often feed in shallow bays around Kizimkazi. This has led to a popular activity of dolphin tours by boat, which depart around 6:30–7:00 AM. Local captains will take you out to spot and even swim with the dolphins at dawn. The beach at Kizimkazi is a small curve of sand in a bay; during high tide, it’s lovely for a swim, and during low tide, you can walk far out on the tidal flats. There are seafood restaurants by the shore where you can enjoy fresh grilled fish or octopus curry.
Menai Bay and beyond: Kizimkazi lies at the edge of the Menai Bay Conservation Area, a marine reserve protecting the surrounding waters and islets. Because of this, the sea life is rich. You can also take a full-day boat excursion from Kizimkazi or nearby Fumba on the southwest coast. This tour typically includes sailing on a traditional day trip to explore sandbanks like Pungume Island, snorkeling on coral reefs, having a seafood barbecue on a castaway island, and spotting dolphins en route.
Travellers interested in the famous beaches on Zanzibar's east and north sides often miss the west coast. If you have free time, drive north of Stone Town along the west coast to Mangapwani.
Mangapwani Caves and Beach: About a 40-minute drive north from Stone Town, Mangapwani is known for its historical coral caves and a tranquil beach. The drive takes you through the village of Bububu and then onto a coastal track. At Mangapwani, you can tour the Mangapwani Coral Cave, a cavern in the limestone rock that was once a source of fresh water. These sites usually have local guides who can share the history for a fee. After some time exploring the caves, you can enjoy Mangapwani Beach. It’s a stretch where you might find a few local families on weekends, but almost nobody on weekdays. The water here is clear and calm, great for a peaceful swim. There’s a rustic restaurant open where you can grab a cold drink or lunch with a sea view.
Exploring Zanzibar’s wild coastlines by car is the best way to see the island’s beauty. Every drive offers something new from the lively beaches of Nungwi to the quiet sands of Matemwe and the dolphin bays of Kizimkazi. Rent a car in Zanzibar with Final Rentals to start your adventure. Final Rentals offers affordable deals, many vehicles, from compact cars for city trips to 4×4 SUVs for rough coastal tracks, and easy pick-up at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport.
