Dongwe is a very peaceful resort on the south-eastern coast of Zanzibar.

You’ll find almost nothing but hotels and resorts here, making Dongwe the ideal spot for a carefree week of relaxation by the sea.

View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar

I recommend Dongwe if you’re looking for:

• a quiet, long beach without crowds
• a high-quality resort with a swimming pool, restaurant and half-board or all-inclusive options
• a romantic holiday or honeymoon
• a good base for exploring south-eastern Zanzibar

If you want to swim all day long regardless of the tide, I’d recommend Kendwu or Nungwi. For a wider choice of restaurants, bars and kitesurfing, Paje is the better option, whilst the neighbouring Bwejuu offers a more local atmosphere and cheaper accommodation.

Is Dongwe a good choice for a holiday?

Yes, if you want to spend most of your time at the resort and on the beach.

Dongwe is quiet, well-maintained and has a high concentration of high-quality 4* and 5* hotels. I consider the privacy and the lack of hustle and bustle outside the resorts to be its greatest advantages.

The downside is the limited range of amenities. Dongwe doesn’t have a lively town centre where you could stroll between restaurants and shops in the evening.

You’ll find a few places in the vicinity, but when choosing a hotel, I’d always take the dining options into account as well. Half-board or all-inclusive makes more sense here than in Paje or Nungwi.

I would therefore not recommend Dongwe to travellers who want to try a different restaurant every evening, go to bars or experience everyday life in a Zanzibari town. The resorts here aren’t just a place to sleep – they form a significant part of the whole holiday.

Dongwe Beach and swimming

Dongwe Beach is long, wide and covered in fine white sand.

Compared to the bustling Paje, it tends to be significantly less crowded, and the early mornings at sunrise are the most beautiful time of day here.

The beach is freely accessible, but sun loungers, swimming pools and other hotel facilities are reserved for guests of the individual resorts.

Tides

The most important practical piece of information is the significant ebb tide. Comfortable swimming in the sea is mainly possible around high tide. At low tide, the water recedes hundreds of metres from the shore, revealing a shallow lagoon with sand, seagrass, corals and sea urchins.

Tide times vary from day to day, so it is a good idea to check the tide table before booking a trip or planning a swim. Resorts usually have the latest times available at reception.

You can walk across the lagoon at low tide, but do make sure you wear water shoes. I wouldn’t go to the barrier reef without a local guide – it’s a long way from the shore, there are sharp corals on the seabed, and the rapidly rising tide can make the return journey difficult.

Is there seaweed in Dongwe?

During my visit, there was less seaweed on Dongwe beach than in some other places along the east coast. However, this isn’t something that can be guaranteed all year round. The amount of seaweed varies depending on the wind, currents, the season and the specific section of the beach, and resorts usually clear it away from their sections regularly.

If swimming at low tide with as little seaweed as possible is your top priority, do have a look at our comparison of beaches in Zanzibar.

Things to do and places to visit

There aren’t many attractions in Dongwe itself. However, its advantage is its good location between Paje and Michamvi beaches, so it’s easy to set off on short trips from here.

• Snorkelling at the Blue Lagoon – a popular shallow reef north of Dongwe. I’d recommend taking a guided boat trip rather than going on foot or swimming from the shore.
• The Rock Restaurant – this iconic restaurant perched on a rock is about 4 km from Dongwe. Be sure to book a table in advance.
• Paje – the best choice for restaurants, bars and kitesurfing, about 8 km to the south.
• Jozani National Park – a forest home to the endemic red colobus monkeys, situated about 13 km from the coast.
• Kuza Cave – a freshwater cave near Jambiani where you can go for a swim.

The hotel can arrange most of these trips. If you’d like to compare prices, read agency reviews and check the exact itinerary in advance, take a look at the range of organised activities on offer.

Compare excursions in Zanzibar

Where to stay in Dongwe

In Dongwe, your choice of hotel matters more than in livelier resorts. The restaurant, swimming pool, quality of the beach and range of activities on offer at the resort will directly influence your entire stay.

So first of all, decide whether you want to book a package holiday including flights and transfers, or book your hotel separately. You can find further advice on specific areas and types of hotels in the article ‘Where to stay in Zanzibar’.

Holidays with a travel agency

Dongwe is not just a destination for independent travellers. Package holidays here make sense mainly because of the long transfer from the airport and the all-inclusive resorts.

The following hotels in particular feature in travel agents’ offers:

• Dongwe Club Vacanze **** – a large beach resort with a swimming pool, sports activities, an entertainment programme and all-inclusive catering. I’d recommend this for families and anyone who wants to spend most of their stay at the hotel.
• Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar ***** – a more luxurious resort on the coast near Bwejuu. It is suitable for couples and a peaceful holiday of a higher standard; geographically, it lies on the outskirts of the wider Dongwe area.

Hotels for independent travellers

For individual bookings, I would choose based on the type of holiday:

• The Sands Beach Resort ***** – a smaller boutique resort with villas, suitable for couples and families who want privacy and a quieter setting than a large hotel complex.
• Breezes Beach Club and Spa ***** – the best all-round choice. This is a larger, well-established resort with several restaurants, a swimming pool, a spa and water activities.
• The Palms Zanzibar ***** – an intimate adults-only resort with seven villas and private pools. I’d recommend it particularly for honeymoons and romantic holidays without compromise.
• Baraza Resort and Spa Zanzibar ***** – A luxury all-inclusive resort for couples and families alike. It’s the ideal choice if you’re looking for top-class service and don’t want to have to worry about dining outside the hotel during your stay.

Compare hotel prices in Dongwe

How to get to Dongwe

Dongwe is situated approximately 60 km from Zanzibar Airport. The journey by car takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and the exact location of your hotel.

If you’re travelling with a travel agency, the transfer is usually included in the package. The journey may take longer if the coach drops guests off at several resorts along the way.

If you’re travelling independently, the most convenient option is to book a hotel transfer or taxi in advance. Taxis do not have meters, so agree on the price before setting off. If you’re planning several trips around the island, it may also be worth hiring a car.

Dala-dala minibuses also run along the main road:

• 340 – Michamvi, Dongwe, Paje and Zanzibar Town (Kwerekwe)
• 630 – Michamvi, Dongwe, Paje, Jambiani and Makunduchi

Dala-dalas do not have a fixed timetable or traditional stops. Fares are paid in cash in Tanzanian shillings, and from some resorts you’ll need to walk to the main road. If you’re travelling with suitcases, I’d therefore recommend taking a taxi.

We describe our practical experiences, prices and other options in the article on transport in Zanzibar.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Zanzibar.