Kendwa is a resort in the north of the island, near the larger town of Nungwi, and is one of Zanzibar’s most luxurious holiday destinations.

The local beach is definitely the most beautiful I’ve visited in Zanzibar, and you can swim in the sea even at low tide, unlike on the beaches along the east coast.

You’ll also find some excellent 5* resorts in Kendwa.

What I liked about Kendwa:

• beautiful, wide beaches where you can swim even at low tide
• luxurious and highly rated hotels
• breathtaking sunsets

Apart from the beaches and resorts, however, Kendwa offers virtually no other activities or an authentic town centre. To experience local life, you’ll need to head toNungwi, some 5 km away.

Is Kendwa the most beautiful beach in Zanzibar?

I’ve read on various discussion forums that Kendwa is the best beach in Zanzibar. And I have to agree with them.

Not only is the beach long, but it’s also exceptionally wide near the town centre – certainly the widest of all the beaches in Zanzibar.

The whole beach faces west, so you can watch beautiful sunsets from here.

A beach free of seaweed and with no low tide

Kendwa Beach is a beautiful, clean beach with very fine white sand, which does not suffer from seaweed build-up as much as the beaches to the east.

What’s more, the sea here is a little deeper than on the east coast, so you can still swim quite comfortably even at low tide.

Water activities on offer

Partly because there are so many hotels on the beach, you’ll also find a good range of water sports on offer (jet-skiing, sailing, pedal boat hire, snorkelling trips, etc.).

If you arrange an activity on the spot (this mainly applies to boat trips), you’ll always have to haggle over the price and run the risk of paying for a trip with a company that isn’t entirely reputable.

In this regard, I would recommend booking via getyourguide.com, where you’ll find all the reputable Zanzibari agencies.

Which part of the beach should you choose?

The central section around the Sunset Kendwa and Kendwa Rocks hotels is the widest and liveliest. Here you’ll find restaurants, water sports, tour operators and the largest crowds. It’s the best location if you want all the amenities close at hand.

The northern section, towards the Gold Zanzibar, Zuri and RIU resorts, feels quieter and more well-kept, but most services are provided by the hotels themselves. I’d choose this section for a resort holiday and some relaxation.

Before booking, check that the hotel is actually by the sea. Some accommodation marketed as ‘Kendwa’ is actually situated in the village above the coast, and you’ll need to walk or take the hotel minibus to get to the beach.

Beach access, sun loungers and beach services

Entry to the beach is free and you are free to walk along the seashore. However, sun loungers, parasols and the well-maintained sections of the beach are usually reserved for hotel guests or restaurant customers.

There are few traditional public sun lounger hire outlets. Unless you’re staying right by the sea, you’ll probably need to make do with a blanket on the sand, or ask at the beach bar about the conditions for using a sun lounger.

Things to do in Kendwa

Kendwa isn’t a resort packed with sights. Its biggest draw is the beach, so most activities take place on the water.

Activities on offer include jet skis, stand-up paddleboarding, sunset cruises on traditional dhows, diving and snorkelling trips. Mnemba Atoll is also a popular destination, but before booking, check the departure point and whether the price includes a transfer from Kendwa.

You can book a trip from vendors on the beach, where prices are usually negotiable. Always ask for clear confirmation of the duration of the programme, transport, equipment and any additional charges. Booking online is more convenient if you want to check the organiser’s reviews and cancellation policy in advance.

Compare trips and activities from Kendwa

We describe further options in our guide to things to do in Zanzibar.

Full Moon Party in Kendwa

Kendwa is also famous for its regular Full Moon Party at the Kendwa Rocks complex. Local and international DJs play on the beach, and the programme is rounded off by dancers, acrobats and a fire show. The party can go on until the early hours.

The date depends on the full moon and is subject to change, so please check the current Full Moon Party calendar before you travel.

If you want to have fun, it’s best to stay in the central part of Kendwa and walk there. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for peace and quiet, check the date of the party before booking your hotel and choose a resort further away from Kendwa Rocks.

If you want to experience the real, original Full Moon Party, you’ll need to head to Koh Phangan in Thailand.

Where to stay in Kendwa

When choosing a hotel in Kendwa, focus primarily on its location in relation to the beach. A low price often means accommodation in the village or up on the hill, whilst a room right by the sea costs considerably more.

• Central Beach – best for restaurants, water sports and the Full Moon Party, but also the busiest.
• The quieter northern part – large resorts, high-quality services and less going on outside the hotel.
• Inland above the beach – lower prices, but a walk or hotel transfer to the sea.

Holidays with a travel agency

A package holiday makes a lot of sense in Kendwa. For a single price, you get your flight, checked-in luggage, an airport transfer and, often, half-board or all-inclusive. When comparing this to booking independently, you should therefore add the cost of the flight and the expensive airport transfer to the price of the room.

When choosing a package holiday, I would consider the following hotels:

• Lowest price: Palumbo Kendwa **** – a straightforward choice for those who mainly want a cheap all-inclusive package. The hotel is situated on a hill about 600 metres from the beach and provides a shuttle service; I wouldn’t choose it if you insist on a room right by the sea.
• A high-quality resort for families: Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa ***** – situated right on a wide beach, with spacious rooms, a children’s pool and a kids’ club. It’s ideal for a comfortable holiday on a half-board, full-board or all-inclusive basis.
• Large all-inclusive resort: RIU Palace Zanzibar ***** – a peaceful hotel right by the sea with an all-inclusive service available 24 hours a day and several swimming pools. It is situated on the northern edge of the area between Kendwa and Nungwi, which is why travel brochures sometimes list it under Nungwi.
• Design and the utmost comfort: Zuri Zanzibar ***** – luxury bungalows set in extensive tropical gardens right on the beach. I’d recommend it for couples and for those seeking a more intimate atmosphere than that of a large all-inclusive resort.

A hotel for independent travellers

Booking a hotel independently is a better option if you want to explore Zanzibar, visit several resorts or spend just a few nights in Kendwa.

• Best value for money: Sunset Kendwa Beach Hotel **** – a local resort situated right on the widest part of the main beach. I’d choose this if you want to stay by the sea but don’t need the facilities of a luxury five-star hotel.
• Lowest possible price: SunSeaBar Beach Resort – simpler accommodation for the budget-conscious traveller. It’s further from the sea, so think about whether you’d mind walking to the beach every day before you book.
• All-inclusive for families: RIU Jambo **** – a large resort right by the sea with several swimming pools and extensive facilities. Suitable for those who want to spend most of their stay at the hotel.
• Privacy and a holiday for two: Kilindi Zanzibar ***** – a small luxury resort with separate pavilions and private pools in a quiet part of the coast.

You can find further information on areas, approximate prices and practical advice in the section on accommodation in Zanzibar.

How to get there

If you’re travelling to Kendwa as part of a package holiday booked through a travel agency, you’ll be taken by bus from the airport directly to your hotel free of charge. The journey usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on traffic.

Kendwa Beach is situated about 1.5 km from the main road, which is served by the dala-dala bus route number 116 (towards Stone Town and Nungwi).

However, these services are often extremely crowded, so it is better to travel to Kendwa by hire caror taxi.

Approximate taxi fares to the resort of Kendwa are as follows:

• Zanzibar Airport – 65 usd
• Stone Town – 60 usd
• Nungwi – 15 usd

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