Things to do in Matemwe

2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Zanzibar Island

Zanzibar Island is located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Tanzania and is known as the Spice Island due to its historical abundance of spices like cloves. Since ancient times, it has been an important transit point for African, Arab, Indian, and Persian merchants traveling across the Indian Ocean, where diverse cultures have converged and blended over centuries to form the unique Swahili culture. The island's core historical area is Stone Town, where winding, narrow coral stone alleys resemble a labyrinth, lined on both sides with intricately carved wooden doors and ancient buildings with ornate balconies. These wooden doors, known as Zanzibar doors, are carved from hardwood, with facades that blend Arab motifs and Indian spike decorations, serving as a microcosm of the multicultural fusion in Stone Town. The city is also dotted with historical landmarks such as the Old Fort and the Palace Museum. In addition to its profound history and culture, the coastline here is equally impressive. Palm-fringed white sand beaches stretch for several km, and the surrounding waters feature well-preserved coral reefs, making them popular spots for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island is also home to Jozani Forest, which is inhabited by the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, making it a great destination for travelers who enjoy natural ecosystems.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Zanzibar Island

Nungwi Beach

Nungwi Beach is located at the northern tip of Zanzibar Island. Its long stretch of white coral sand and clear turquoise waters make it a popular vacation beach in Zanzibar. Unlike many beaches on the east coast, it is less affected by tides, allowing for swimming during most of the day. In the evening, you can also enjoy the sunset view of fishermen returning to port in dhows. Nungwi village, where the beach is located, is a traditional dhow-building center in Zanzibar. It still preserves the craft of hand-building wooden dhows, and you can watch artisans at work in the village's boatyards to experience the fishing village's maritime traditions. There are also many options for excursions: during the day, you can go snorkeling or scuba diving, where you have the chance to encounter sea turtles, stingrays, and schools of tropical fish in the nearshore coral reefs. Some dive centers also offer night dives, allowing you to see a different side of the coral reefs at night. In the evening, you can join a sunset dhow cruise to look back at the entire beach from the sea.

Mnemba Island

Zanzibar Horse Safaris - Mchangani

Le Saint Tropez

Muyuni Beach

Selected for Best Things to Do in Tanzania

Stone Town

Stone Town is located on a headland jutting into the Indian Ocean on the west coast of Zanzibar Island and is a well-preserved ancient trading town on the Swahili Coast of Eastern Africa. Over a thousand years of monsoon trade have layered the cultures of Africa, Arabia, India, and Europe into this district: old houses built of coral stone, Arab stone bench terraces, and Indian carved wooden balconies with veranda-style facades often stand side by side in the same narrow alley. The old town still has hundreds of carved wooden doors, studded with brass nails and engraved with intricate patterns, known as Zanzibar doors. Walking around and looking up to spot these doors is a joy in itself when exploring Stone Town. During the day, it is perfect for wandering into the alleys, where the scent of cloves and cardamom from spice shops, the chatter of old men playing chess, and the dazzling array of craft shops make up the fabric of life in the old town; after dark, the seaside Forodhani Gardens turn into a lively open-air night market, filled with the aroma of grilled seafood, Zanzibar pizza, and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice.

Nungwi Marine Turtles Mnarani

Snorkeling zone

Kendwa Beach