Zanzibar is famous for its endless beaches that stretch for tens of kilometres along the coast.

But even here you will find secret romantic beaches hidden among photogenic cliffs. Head to the very south of Zanzibar to discover the bustling but beautiful Mtende Beach.

View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar

Why visit Mtende Beach?

The beach and the entire southern coastline looks completely different from the rest of Zanzibar.

The dramatic and rugged coastline is shaped by cliffs up to 15 metres high that form narrow coves, and Mtende Beach is one of them.

The beach is only about 15 metres wide and although it is popular with tourists, its remoteness means that it is not as crowded as it might seem.

At high tide Mtende Beach is very narrow, but at low tide you can walk up to 100 metres from the shore on dry feet.

You can rent a sunbed right on the beach, but prices are very high (up to 20 usd per day).

There are souvenir shops and expensive tourist restaurants scattered between the parking lot and the beach.

How to get there

There is no public transport to Mtende beach, so you only have 3 transport options:

• rent a car.
  • the beach is barely marked and there is not good mobile phone coverage in the south of Zanzibar, so we definitely recommend having offline maps downloaded
  • map of the route by car from Jambiani / Stone Town
  • free parking is available about 150 meters from the beach
  • read our experience with car rental in Zanzibar
• organized tour through a local travel agency
  • the easiest way
  • tours often include stops at other places, such as Jozani Forest
  • prices for day trips are around 70 usd
  • always book all Zanzibar tours through getyourguide.com
• by taxi
  • you must always agree with the taxi driver what time he will pick you up from the beach, as there is no guarantee that there will be free taxis in the car park
  • prices are quite high - from Jambiani around 35 usd, from Stone Tone around 80 usd one way

Hotels by the beach

There are several hotels within 1km of Mtende Beach.

Stay here if you want to experience a quiet holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts in rural Zanzibar and near the small beaches below the cliffs.

• Eden Rock Zanzibar - small local hotel right on the beach with sea views
• Monkey Mountain Lodge - an eco-resort with a fantastic rating in the middle of the Zanzibar countryside

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Zanzibar.