Nakupenda is a sand dune in the middle of the sea and a temporary island. During high tide, most of it disappears under the sea, while at low tide Nakupenda Sandbank is a spacious sandy beach.

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When is low tide?

Because Nakupneda Sandbank cannot be reached individually, you don't need to find out the tide times.

Whenever you purchase an organized trip from one of the many agencies, you will be given specific sailing times so that you can always enjoy Nakupenda Sandbank at low tide, when the island is at its largest.

Even at high tide, a small part remains above the water, but compared to low tide, Nakupenda Sandbank is about 5 times smaller.

Swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling

Nakupenda Sandbank is a great place for sunbathing. The sand here is very fine and comfortable for both walking and lying on.

The crystal-clear turquoise sea is inviting for swimming and snorkelling, but the underwater life is not nearly as abundant as in locations to the north of Zanzibar (such as Mnemba Atoll).

There are always plenty of vendors selling souvenirs and small snacks on the island, but you always have to haggle over the price, and considering that this is one of the most touristy places on Zanzibar, the prices are quite high.

How to get there - cruise and tour prices

There are no regular ferries to Nakupenda Sandbank and you can get there mainly on organised cruises, which all start in Stone Town - usually at the Livingston Restaurant near the Tembo B&B Apartments.

There are dozens of agencies in Stone Town offering guided boat trips, including pick-ups at other resorts and beaches around Zanzibar.

All trips can be booked almost exclusively through getyourguide.com, where all Zanzibar's travel agencies are involved.

The actual prices and lengths of trips vary according to the specific agency and program. As a rough guide, please allow for the following amounts:

• Nakupenda Sandbank only (2-3 hours) - from 35 usd
• Nakupenda Sandbank + Prison Island with lunch (5-6 hours) - from 65 usd

Compare trip prices at getyourguide.com

Individual visits to Nakupenda Sandbank are possible, but only after negotiating a price for a boat cruise directly on the beach, which is likely to be higher than a directly organized trip purchased through getyourguide.com.

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