Where to swim on Zanzibar all day: 15 hotels in Nungwi and Kendwa

On the east coast of Zanzibar, the sea recedes for hundreds of meters. On the northwest coast, the water stays close to shore for almost the entire day. This difference determines whether you can swim in the morning, afternoon, and at sunset, or whether you'll be walking across an exposed reef.

Hotels without low tides are located in two villages at the northern tip of the island, in Nungwi and Kendwa. We've put together fifteen options across different budgets: from no-star guesthouses to all-inclusive resorts. There's one exception: at DoubleTree by Hilton Zanzibar, low tides are more noticeable, details in its section below. Below is a table for quick comparison, followed by a separate section for each hotel with a link to current prices.

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Why Nungwi and Kendwa have almost no low tides

💡 In short:

• Hotels without low tides on Zanzibar are located in the northwest, in the villages of Nungwi and Kendwa.
• The north of the island is protected from strong tides, so you can swim almost all day.
• Choose the format and star rating based on your budget: from simple guesthouses to all-inclusive.
• Swimming conditions on the north coast: 09/2026, according to Visit Zanzibar portal data.

The northern tip of Unguja, the main island of the archipelago, barely experiences strong tides. The water near the shore recedes only a couple of meters, so you can swim here at any time without checking tide schedules. The east coast looks different: in Paje and Jambiani, the sea retreats for hundreds of meters and exposes the reef (according to The Traveler's coast review, 09/2026).

Nungwi and Kendwa are located close together, at the very north. Nungwi is larger and livelier, with more restaurants, bars, and excursions. Kendwa is quieter and more spacious, its wide beach is loved by couples and families. You can stay in one village and walk along the beach to the other: the distance is short (according to the guide to northern areas, 09/2026).

1. Riu Palace Zanzibar: all-inclusive, 5 stars

© John Girard · CC BY-SAPhoto: John Girard, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The hotel occupies the first line in Kendwa, next to other resorts. The room inventory consists of low-rise villas, each with four rooms. Some villas stand right on the shore, offering ocean views at sunrise and sunset.

The resort operates on an all-inclusive basis. Several themed restaurants prepare cuisines from different countries, and in the evenings they host culinary shows. Between swims, you can order cocktails and light snacks at the bars.

The private sandy beach is equipped with loungers and sun umbrellas. For fresh water, there's a large pool. There's a dive center, a spa with a steam room, and an entertainment team with live performances.

• Location: Kendwa, first line by the ocean (per map).
• Who it's for: for those who want a calm shore and full board in one place.
• Price: check prices at Riu Palace Zanzibar on Trip.com.

2. Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort: two restaurants and an infinity pool

© Stechouse42 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Stechouse42, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The hotel occupies its own grounds on the oceanfront in Nungwi. Snow-white two- and three-story buildings stand among Zanzibar palms. You're accommodated in spacious rooms with balconies, with windows facing the ocean or the park with an infinity pool.

The hotel operates on an all-inclusive basis and has two restaurants. Spices sticks to traditional European cuisine, while Samaki serves dishes made from fresh seafood. During the day, bars serve snacks and drinks.

You can diversify your leisure time with fishing, volleyball, soccer, and snorkeling. The spa center has a sauna, massage, and treatments based on local products.

• Location: Nungwi, first line (per map).
• Who it's for: for those who want a large resort with a park and two restaurants.
• Price: prices at Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort.

3. Zuri Zanzibar: three hundred meters of beach without tides

The resort is located in Kendwa with large park grounds and low-rise snow-white buildings under traditional makuti roofs. Its private sandy stretch runs for about three hundred meters. Low tides are barely noticeable here, and the water entry is gentle and safe.

Guests are accommodated in tropical bungalows with a terrace and garden furniture. The garden has relaxation areas, a yoga deck, and a large freshwater pool. Around the pool, loungers sit on a wooden deck, a snack bar and grill bar operate all day, and nearby there are canopies with massage tables.

You can choose from three dining options: half board, full board, or all-inclusive. The restaurants prepare Middle Eastern and international cuisine, and in the evenings beach dinners with live music are held. Diving, canoeing, snorkeling, a kids' room and playground, a spa, and massage services are available.

• Location: Kendwa, its own stretch of beach about 300 m (on the map).
• Who it's for: families with children and couples who value a quiet, green complex.
• Price: prices at Zuri Zanzibar on Trip.com.

4. Nungwi Dreams by Mantis: twenty-eight rooms by the ocean

The hotel is located in Nungwi on the oceanfront and has a small private beach area. The public Nungwi Beach is about 600 m away (on the map). The two-story buildings are done in a modern style with clean geometry, and there are twenty-eight rooms in total.

Inside, everything is there for a comfortable stay: comfortable beds and bathrooms. Second-floor rooms have balconies, and some bungalows have rooftop sunbathing terraces. One villa sleeps up to ten people, with four bedrooms, its own pool, and panoramic sea views.

You choose the meal plan yourself: from breakfast only to all-inclusive. Several times a week the restaurants host themed dinners with entertainment. There is a gym, an outdoor pool, snorkeling, diving, and fishing.

• Location: Nungwi, about 600 m to Nungwi Beach (on the map).
• Who it's for: groups of up to ten people and couples who want a small hotel.
• Price: prices at Nungwi Dreams by Mantis.

5. Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa: a wide stretch of beach

© Stechouse42 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Stechouse42, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The large complex is located in Kendwa. The beach here is wide: fine white sand and a gentle slope into the water. The difference between high and low tide is barely noticeable, so you can swim at any time. The beach is clean and equipped with loungers and thatched umbrellas.

The property has a large outdoor pool with nighttime lighting. Guests are accommodated in low-rise bungalows, and there is a suite with a large terrace and a villa with its own pool. Some rooms are decorated in Arabic, Italian, or African style.

Dining is provided by two restaurants with international cuisine, with both a la carte service and a buffet. A spa center, a gym, and a kids' club for guests aged three to twelve are available.

• Location: Kendwa, a wide stretch of beach (on the map).
• Who it's for: families with children and those who choose all-inclusive and a gentle entry into the water.
• Price: prices at Gold Zanzibar.

6. Hotel La Gemma dell'Est: the largest complex in Nungwi

The hotel is located in Nungwi, surrounded by a tropical garden with waterfalls and walking paths. It is the largest property on the northwest coast of the island. The rooms are designed for discerning guests: large panoramic windows open onto ocean or garden views, and the bathrooms feature quality fixtures and showers.

The grounds include a large wave-shaped pool and sunbathing areas. On the beach, a pier with thatched canopies is set up where you can watch the sunset with a glass of African white wine. The buffet is served in the restaurant and on the open terrace, with a menu geared toward European tastes and complemented by fresh fish and seafood dishes.

Leisure options include entertainment programs, cooking classes, beach volleyball, diving, and surfing. A wellness center offers a range of relaxing treatments.

• Location: Nungwi, tropical garden by the ocean (see map).
• Who it's for: those who want a large all-inclusive complex with entertainment.
• Price: rates at La Gemma dell'Est.

7. Sandies Baobab Beach Zanzibar: bungalows among baobabs

Traditional bungalows sit on the first beachfront line, surrounded by tropical trees. The hotel takes its name from the baobabs growing here. The thatched-roof cottages accommodate two to three people, and there are also spacious studios for larger groups. The complex is located in Nungwi, on a small rocky outcrop above the beach.

Dining is provided by The Beach Gallery restaurant with a poolside bar. The chefs specialize in seafood dishes, and cooking shows are held here in the evenings. You can choose between breakfast-only or all-inclusive options.

At the Mvua African Rain SPA, guests can enjoy treatments based on natural products and plants from the island. Water excursions, tours, and diving are available for recreation.

• Location: Nungwi, first line on a rocky outcrop (see map).
• Who it's for: those who like the thatched-roof bungalow format.
• Price: rates at Sandies Baobab on Trip.com.

8. DoubleTree by Hilton Zanzibar: tides and a ladder to the water

© Jorge Cancela · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Cancela, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The hotel is one of the affordable options in Nungwi with decent living conditions, but the tides here are more pronounced than at neighboring properties. At low tide you can spot sea urchins on the sand, and at high tide the only way into the water is via a ladder. The beach area with loungers and umbrellas is enclosed by a concrete wall that protects the relaxation area from marine debris.

Guests stay in two- and three-story bungalows with traditional thatched roofs; about a hundred rooms accommodate two to three people. The cottages are surrounded by a tropical garden with an outdoor pool, sunbathing areas, and bars. There is a volleyball court and a children's play area.

Dining is provided by the Ngalawa restaurant: a buffet in the morning, and entertainment programs and themed dinners in the evening. The Fisherman grill bar by the pool serves local cuisine. Diving, snorkeling, excursions, and SPA services are available.

• Location: Nungwi, first line (see map).
• The catch: tides are more pronounced, and sea urchins appear on the beach at low tide.
• Price: rates at DoubleTree by Hilton Zanzibar.

9. Mnarani Beach Cottages: a quiet beach and cottages without an elevator

The complex is located outside the village of Nungwi on the first beachfront line. Nearby is a quiet beach where vendors rarely appear, and it's a twenty-minute walk to restaurants, souvenir stalls, and the spice market. The location is often the deciding factor for guests.

The grounds are densely packed with traditional cottages up to four stories high, with no elevators. Wood and fabrics are used in the finishes, and some rooms are decorated in a national style. Above the first floor, every room has a balcony with an ocean or tropical garden view.

In the morning, guests are served a buffet; lunch and dinner are ordered from the menu. The kitchen prepares international dishes and seafood. The tropical garden features a pool, a massage hut, and sunbathing areas, with a bar by the pool. You can rent bicycles and water sports equipment.

• Location: outside Nungwi, first line by a quiet beach (see map).
• The catch: no elevators, and Nungwi's infrastructure is about a twenty-minute walk away.
• Price: rates at Mnarani Beach Cottages.

10. Smiles Beach Hotel: sixteen rooms near Nungwi

A small hotel located near Nungwi Beach. It has just sixteen rooms in one-, two-, and three-story cottages, accommodating from two to four people. Upgraded rooms have balconies with ocean views. Several cafes serving drinks and snacks operate near the beach.

Dining is provided by the Ocean Front Restaurant among palms and flowering plants. The kitchen prepares national and international dishes. The grounds include a pool with a sunbathing area and a bar on the open terrace.

Wellness and relaxation services are available for an additional fee. You can rent bicycles to explore the surroundings or grab a mask and snorkel for snorkeling.

• Location: Nungwi, near the beach (see map).
• Who it's for: couples and small groups looking for a compact seaside hotel.
• Price: rates at Smiles Beach Hotel.

11. Z Hotel: white buildings in the center of Nungwi

The hotel is located near Nungwi Beach, not far from the village center. Guests stay in white buildings with wooden balconies and views of the ocean or tropical garden. The rooms are spacious, with categories ranging from standard to executive suite. For those seeking privacy, a separate cottage with a bedroom, living room, and rooftop terrace is available.

Among the tropical plants, you can swim in the pool, order a cocktail at the bar, or relax with a massage. The Saruche restaurant serves a continental breakfast, and lunch and dinner are prepared from a menu featuring national dishes, seafood, and European classics.

The beach suits both relaxed downtime and activities: you can rent diving gear on site. Excursions include Changu Island, Stone Town, and the Mnarani turtle sanctuary.

• Location: Nungwi, near the beach and village center (see map).
• Who it's for: those who want to stay in the heart of Nungwi, close to restaurants.
• Price: rates at Z Hotel on Trip.com.

12. Kendwa Rocks Hotel: a budget option in Kendwa

The hotel offers a relatively affordable oceanfront stay in Kendwa. The cottages work well for couples, larger groups, and families with children. Most rooms have balconies overlooking the tropical garden. The property has a shared lounge, an outdoor pool, and the Mermaid bar with a wide selection of drinks.

You can choose between full board and half board. In the morning, the restaurant serves a continental breakfast, and in the evening there are culinary shows with live music. Boat trips, canoeing, diving, and snorkeling are available for an extra charge.

• Location: Kendwa, oceanfront (see map).
• Who it's for: couples, groups, and families with children who want to watch their budget.
• Price: rates at Kendwa Rocks Hotel.

13. Makofi Guest House: a hundred meters to the beach, pets welcome

The guesthouse sits near Nungwi Beach and the Spanish Dancer Divers dive center. Guests get compact rooms with a bed, shower, and wooden furniture. The traditional thatched-roof bungalows are built from wood and surrounded by greenery.

The beach is about a hundred meters away: white sand, loungers, umbrellas, and plenty of activities. Bars, cafes, and restaurants are two to three hundred meters from the sunbathing area. In the morning, the guesthouse serves a hearty continental breakfast. Unlike most upscale hotels, it allows guests to stay with pets.

• Location: Nungwi, about 100 m to the beach (see map).
• Who it's for: travelers with pets and those looking for a simple budget option.
• Price: rates at Makofi Guest House.

14. Langi Langi Beach Bungalows: your own mini zoo on the beach

The property sits right on the beach in Nungwi village. The room stock consists of two-story buildings with standard rooms that have a bed, a bathroom, and a balcony with a small sofa. Suites are decorated in a national style. Most often guests choose garden accommodation, either in a separate bungalow or in a shared building with a private room.

There are also more budget-friendly options above the restaurant and above the reception. The property has a bar and a restaurant; guests call the cuisine varied and the portions generous. There is no buffet: you pour your own juices, tea, and coffee, while the staff brings the dishes.

The bar offers soft drinks and alcohol. In the evening the restaurant serves à la carte, and the venue has an indoor dining room and an open veranda right above the sea. The chef will grill the fish and seafood you buy. The beach is sandy with a gentle entry, there are loungers and umbrellas, and you can rinse off in a shower near the restaurant. You can also cool off in the pool inside the garden, with a sunbathing area nearby. A distinctive feature of the property: its own petting zoo with dwarf antelopes, rabbits, birds, and small monkeys.

• Location: Nungwi, right on the beach (see map).
• Who it's for: families with children who would enjoy the mini zoo.
• The catch: no buffet, you pour your own drinks.
• Price: prices at Langi Langi Beach Bungalows.

15. Badolina Bungalows: budget-friendly and with air conditioning

Single-story bungalows with thatched roofs and terraces at the entrance sit deep in a tropical garden in Nungwi village. The beach is about sixty meters away. Rooms have a bed, a bathroom, and air conditioning, and sleep two to three people. There are also shared rooms with six beds for budget travelers.

The property has its own restaurant with an outdoor dining area and a bar. A continental breakfast is served in the morning, and vegetarian options are available. Nearby are massage salons, a spa, bicycle rental, and the Turtles Mnarani turtle sanctuary. The East Africa dive center is a few steps away if you want to dive.

• Location: Nungwi, in the garden, about 60 m to the beach (see map).
• Who it's for: budget travelers and those coming to dive.
• Price: prices at Badolina Bungalows.

Zanzibar hotels without low tide on the map

The map shows all fifteen hotels from the list. Open it in a separate window to plan a route between Nungwi and Kendwa: open the map in Google Maps.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Why is there no strong low tide on the northwest coast of Zanzibar?

The northern tip of the island is protected by the shape of the shore and the reef, so the water recedes only a few meters. On the east coast, in Paje and Jambiani, the sea pulls back hundreds of meters and exposes the reef and seaweed. For swimming, choose Nungwi and Kendwa (per the island vacation guide, 09/2026).

Which Zanzibar hotel has the most convenient beach for swimming?

The beach is wider and calmer in Kendwa, where Riu Palace, Zuri, and Gold Zanzibar are located. Zuri has its own stretch of about three hundred meters, and Gold has a wide area with a gentle entry. In Nungwi the water is just as calm, but the central beach is livelier.

How much does a night cost at a hotel without low tide?

Published prices depend on the season and meal plan, so we don't give a fixed figure. The guesthouses Makofi, Langi Langi, and Badolina are cheaper, while the five-star Riu Palace and Gold Zanzibar are more expensive. Check current prices via the Trip.com links in each section.

Nungwi or Kendwa: where to stay?

Nungwi is bigger and livelier: restaurants, bars, excursions, and dive centers are nearby. Kendwa is quieter and more spacious, the beach is wider, and it suits couples and a relaxed vacation. You can walk between the villages along the beach or take a tuk-tuk in a couple of minutes (per the post about Nungwi and Kendwa, 09/2026).

When is the best time to go to Zanzibar?

The dry season runs roughly from June through October, with another dry stretch in January and February. During this time the sea is calm and there is almost no rain. The shoulder season is cheaper, but you may get cloudy days and seaweed near the shore (according to the Zanzibar seasons guide, 09/2026).

In short: what to book

For quiet and an all-inclusive setup, choose Riu Palace Zanzibar or Gold Zanzibar in Kendwa. If you want a small hotel by the water, look at Nungwi Dreams by Mantis. On a tight budget, go with Makofi, Badolina, or Langi Langi in Nungwi, and if you want restaurants and nightlife nearby, stay at Z Hotel or Smiles Beach.

If you are traveling as a family with kids: choose Gold Zanzibar or Zuri Zanzibar. If you are going as a couple: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis or Smiles Beach. If price matters most: Badolina Bungalows or Makofi Guest House.

Pick a hotel based on the meal plan and distance to the beach, and check current prices and availability with a single search: see Zanzibar hotels on Trip.com.