Nungwi is the northernmost and, in my opinion, one of the best resorts in the whole of Zanzibar.

The town offers the best shopping, excellent resorts and budget-friendly small hotels. Here, you can experience authentic local life in the poorer (but safe) neighbourhoods, visit several animal farms and enjoy a huge range of excursions and water sports.

What I liked about Nungwi:

• beautiful beaches where you can swim even at low tide
• a lively town with shops and street food
• natural turtle enclosures
• affordable yet high-quality hotels

Nungwi or Kendwa?

Nungwi and Kendwa are situated next to each other, and you can swim at both resorts even at low tide. However, their atmospheres are quite different.

Nungwi is livelier and more practical. It has more restaurants, budget hotels, shops and excursion options. I’d choose it for a self-guided trip or for anyone who doesn’t want to spend their entire stay just at a resort.

Kendwa has a wider beach and more luxury resorts. I’d choose it for a quieter holiday where the beach and hotel services are the priority.

Great beaches in Nungwi

Nungwi’s clear advantage lies in its varied beaches, which, moreover, are not affected by the tides to the same extent as those in resorts on the east coast, such as Jambiani, Paje or Kiwengwa.

Just like everywhere else in Zanzibar, the beaches here are covered invery fine white sand, which is lovely to walk on.

Maisha Beach – a quieter stretch near the lighthouse

At the northern end of Nungwi, near the lighthouse, lies the more spacious Maisha Beach. The surroundings are quieter than the main tourist beach, and there are also turtle centres nearby.

I’d choose this part for a more peaceful stay. However, you’ll have to walk a bit further to find the widest choice of restaurants and nightlife.

Main Nungwi Beach – amenities and sunsets

The western side of Nungwi is the liveliest. Here you’ll find the greatest number of restaurants, bars, diving centres and tour operators. It’s the best area for a first visit and for anyone who wants to walk from their hotel in the evening.

Further south, the beaches are narrower and are lined in places by low coral reefs. This part in particular is very photogenic, but also the busiest.

In the evening, the beaches in Nungwi come to life as locals play football and tourists go for a stroll.

Beach facilities and services

There are no public sun lounger or parasol hire facilities in Nungwi (or almost anywhere else in Zanzibar).

However, along the beaches you’ll find plenty of small refreshment stalls, restaurants and (sometimes rather annoying) souvenir sellers.

Excursions, snorkelling and water sports

Nungwi is one of the best bases for boat trips. Right on the beach, you can book sunset cruises, snorkelling trips to Tumbatu Island, diving and excursions to the Mnemba Atoll.

You can book a trip on the spot, where prices are often negotiable. Booking online makes sense if you want to know the itinerary, the organiser’s reviews and the cancellation policy in advance. Before paying, always check where the boat departs from and whether the price includes a transfer from your hotel.

Compare tours and activities in Nungwi

For more inspiration, see our guide to things to do in Zanzibar.

Sunsets and sunrises

As Nungwi is situated at the northernmost tip of Zanzibar, it is the only place where you can witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets on the beaches.

The resort is therefore a great choice for both early risers and night owls.

The turtle aquariums in Nungwi: are they worth a visit?

As well as the beaches, Nungwi’s natural turtle aquariums and small monkey zoo are major attractions. You’ll find these elsewhere in Zanzibar too (for example, right in the south in the town of Kizimkazi).

Both the aquariums and the zoo are situated right next to each other in the eastern part of Nungwi:

• Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation – the largest natural turtle aquarium
• Baraka Natural Aquarium – a smaller pond with turtles
• Kilosa Zoo – a small zoo with monkeys and other animals

A visit to each attraction usually takes around 30 minutes.

The turtle sanctuary prides itself on helping giant tortoises, but at the same time allows tourists to swim with them, which I don’t find entirely ethical, especially when large crowds of people flock to the pond.

Entrance fees are around 25 000 tzs and payment can only be made in cash in Tanzanian shillings or the equivalent in US dollars or euros.

Bear in mind that the guide will always ask you for a small tip.

Experience local life in the centre of Nungwi

Whilst the Nungwi coastline is lined with tourist hotels, the rest of the town appears, at first glance, to be very poor and, in places, rather run-down.

The low concrete houses are somewhat reminiscent of a slum; however, of all the towns in Zanzibar, Nungwi is one of the wealthier and very safe.

The main street is lined with dozens of souvenir shops, as well as local convenience stores and stalls selling cheap street food.

Where to stay in Nungwi

When choosing a hotel, consider not only the price but also its location. Nungwi is a large area, and two places of accommodation bearing the same name as the resort may offer completely different types of holiday.

• The main western beach – best for restaurants, excursions and nightlife, but also the busiest.
• The area around the lighthouse and Maisha Beach – quieter, closer to the turtle centres, further from the main tourist zone.
• Southwards towards Kendwa – more large resorts and less local life.

Holidays with a travel agency

A package holiday makes sense if you want flights, checked-in luggage, an airport transfer and your stay at the resort all included in one price.

When choosing a package holiday, I’d look out for these hotels in particular:

• Best combination of location and quality: Nungwi Beach Resort By Turaco **** – situated right by the main beach and ideal for those who want both the resort and the lively town of Nungwi within walking distance.
• Luxury and all-inclusive: Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort ***** – a large resort with several swimming pools on the southern edge of Nungwi, towards Kendwa.
• A simpler hotel, based on my own experience: Smiles Beach **** – I’d mainly choose this if the price is significantly lower than at Turaco. This offer isn’t usually available for all dates. I’ve stayed at the hotel and written an honest review of Smiles Beach with my own photographs.

A hotel for independent travellers

Booking a hotel independently is a better option if you want to explore Zanzibar, stay in several different resorts or choose a budget guesthouse without resort facilities.

• The lowest possible price: Jawda Villa – basic accommodation within walking distance of the beach.
• Low-cost accommodation closer to the main beach: Papaya Guest House – a basic guesthouse for those who want to save money and don’t need a sea view.
• Best location on the main beach: Zenobia Beach Resort **** – a small hotel right by the sea with a restaurant built on wooden stilts.
• The quieter Maisha Beach area: Aluna Beach Apartments **** – a good choice if you want to stay away from the busiest part of Nungwi.

You can find more areas, guide prices and practical advice in the chapter on accommodation in Zanzibar.

How to get there

Nungwi is situated on the northern tip of the island, roughly 60 km from Stone Town and 65 km from the airport. The journey from the airport by car takes between 1½ and 2 hours, depending on traffic.

Transfer included in the package

With an organised holiday, the transfer between the airport and the hotel is usually included in the package.

The journey is by coach or minibus, and may take longer due to stops at other hotels.

Taxi or hire car

A taxi is the most convenient option if you’re travelling independently. Agree on the price before getting in; taximeters are not used. If you want to explore more parts of the island, it may be worth hiring a car in Zanzibar.

The fare from the airport to Nungwi should not exceed 65 usd for the whole taxi.

Dala-dala bus

If you’re travelling around Zanzibar by public transport (dala-dala buses), take this route to Nungwi:

• 116 – towards Stone Town, Kendwa (main road only, approx. 1.5 km from the beach), Mkokotoni, Bububu

Route 116 runs very frequently, on average once every 5–15 minutes, but the buses are often extremely crowded!

Taxis and tuk-tuks are also commonly available in the centre of Nungwi. Be inspired by our experiences of travelling around Zanzibar:

• Everything you need to know about car hire
• How to get around by taxi and public transport

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Zanzibar.