Bwejuu Beach, Zanzibar - all you need to know

Bwejuu is a quiet village on the south-eastern coast of Zanzibar, which flows seamlessly into the much busier town of Paje.

It offers a beach of the same length, but fewer hotels, vendors and tourists.

I’d choose Bwejuu if you want to stay in a more local setting whilst remaining close to the restaurants, bars and kitesurfing in Paje. I wouldn’t choose it for a comfortable, all-inclusive resort holiday, nor for swimming regardless of the tide.

View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar

Is it worth staying in Bwejuu?

I’d recommend Bwejuu mainly to independent travellers who aren’t looking for a traditional holiday resort. The village has retained its everyday local life, and the hotels are scattered along several kilometres of coastline.

Before booking, bear in mind that:

swimming is mainly possible around high tide
there are no public sun loungers, showers or a promenade on the beach
there are significantly fewer restaurants, shops and cash machines than in Paje
the amount of seaweed and the cleanliness of individual sections of the beach vary
it is better to book a taxi in advance through your hotel

Bwejuu, Paje or Jambiani?

All three places are linked by a single long stretch of beach, but they differ in atmosphere.

ChooseBwejuu for peace and quiet, local life and smaller hotels.
Paje is better for restaurants, bars, nightlife, kitesurfing and a wide range of excursions.
Jambiani combines a long beach with a greater variety of budget accommodation and street food.
Dongwe is better suited to a peaceful holiday in a luxury resort.

The centre of Paje is about 2 to 5 km away from various parts of Bwejuu. If you hire a bike, you can stay in a quiet spot and easily cycle to restaurants or evening entertainment.

Bwejuu Beach and swimming

The beach at Bwejuu is wide, long and covered in fine, light-coloured sand. It stretches uninterrupted southwards through Paje all the way to Jambiani, making it ideal for long walks, a run or a cycle ride along the compacted sand.

There are significantly fewer tourists and vendors here than in Paje.

Instead, on the beach you’ll come across local fishermen, children playing football or women processing seaweed. In my view, it is precisely this everyday village life that is the main reason to choose Bwejuu over the better-known resorts.

When can you go for a swim in Bwejuu?

Comfortable swimming is only possible around high tide. The sea is very shallow and at low tide it recedes hundreds of metres from the shore. You won’t be able to go for a proper swim, but you can stroll through the lagoon and look at the small pools, shells or marine life.

I recommend wearing shoes both in the water and when walking at low tide to protect against sea urchins and sharp coral fragments. Do not walk all the way to the barrier reef without a local guide. It is a long way, and the returning tide can come in quickly.

Tide times change every day. So, before you set off, check the tide tables and, when choosing a hotel, opt for accommodation with a swimming pool.

Facilities, seaweed and cleanliness

There are no public sun lounger hire facilities or showers in Bwejuu. Sun loungers, restaurants and other facilities belong to individual hotels and are normally reserved for their guests only.

The beach has a more local feel, and some sections may appear less well-maintained than those in front of luxury resorts. In places, there is litter and seaweed build-up. However, the situation varies depending on the wind, currents and how well the nearest hotel looks after that particular section.

You can find an overview of other areas in the article on the best beaches in Zanzibar.

Villages and local life

Bwejuu is not a manicured tourist town.

Behind the beach, dusty streets wind their way between simple houses, small shops and stalls selling cheap local food. The surroundings may seem disorganised and, in places, neglected, but it is precisely here that you’ll see everyday Zanzibar without the tourist trappings.

You can walk around the village without any worries. However, please be considerate: dress modestly away from the beach and ask for permission before taking photographs of local people.

For a bigger shop, an ATM or a wider choice of restaurants, I recommend Paje. Some hotels lend out bikes for free or for a small fee; check availability and prices before booking.

Things to do and places to visit

Short trips to the coral reef are organised from the beach on traditional dhow boats.

When booking on the spot, confirm the duration of the trip, the equipment provided, transport and the final price in advance. The choice is more limited than in Paje, so it may be more practical to arrange a trip through your hotel.

You can also visit the following nearby:

Kuza Cave near Jambiani
The Rock restaurant near Michamvi
Jozani National Park with its endemic guerezas
Paje, with its kitesurfing schools, restaurants and nightlife

Compare trips around Zanzibar

Where to stay in Bwejuu

The hotel’s location determines whether you’ll have at least a few restaurants nearby, or whether you’ll be almost entirely reliant on the hotel’s catering.

Before booking, I’d therefore check not only the room and the pool but also the distance to Paje and the nearest shop.

You can find further advice in the article on where to stay in Zanzibar.

Holidays with a travel agency

Only a small number of package holidays go directly to Bwejuu, and the range of specific hotels on offer is not consistent. If you want to travel with a travel agency, compare all package holidays to Zanzibar and always check the hotel’s location on a map.

If you can’t find a suitable package in Bwejuu, look for similarly peaceful package holiday hotels in nearby Dongwe. Paje offers a livelier atmosphere and more amenities.

Hotels for independent travellers

Bwejuu makes more sense for independent travellers. I’d recommend these smaller hotels right on the beach:

Sahari Zanzibar **** – an intimate local hotel with a small number of rooms, a swimming pool and a location right by the sea; a good balance between price and comfort.
Mayai Ocean Resort **** – a small, modern resort with a swimming pool and restaurant in the southern part of Bwejuu, closer to Paje.
Indigo Beach Zanzibar **** – a well-maintained hotel with bungalows, a swimming pool and direct access to the beach; also suitable for families.

View all hotels in Bwejuu

How to get to Bwejuu

Bwejuu lies on the south-east coast, about 50 km from Zanzibar Airport. The journey by car takes between 1 and 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. If travelling independently, I recommend booking a transfer in advance through your hotel.

Dala-dala buses also pass through the village:

340 – Paje, Dongwe, Michamvi and Zanzibar Town via Kwerekwe
630 – Paje, Jambiani, Makunduchi, Dongwe and Michamvi

Services run frequently during the day, but they do not have a reliable timetable and can be overcrowded. There are few traditional taxis waiting on the street in Bwejuu, so it is best to arrange a lift through reception, preferably a day in advance.

For trips around the island, you can use a taxi or a hire car. Further information can be found in the section on transport in Zanzibar.