In my opinion, Paje is the best choice on the east coast of Zanzibar for those who want to combine the beach with restaurants, bars, excursions and kitesurfing.

It is a lively resort where you’ll meet independent travellers, young people and visitors staying in high-quality boutique hotels. Unlike purely resort-style areas, you can go somewhere different every evening and aren’t restricted to the facilities of a single hotel.

The biggest limitation is the significant tidal range. At low tide, the sea recedes by hundreds of metres, and you can forget about a traditional swim for several hours.

Why did I like Paje?

• a lively resort full of shops, street-side bistros and bars
• plenty of excursions on offer
• both bustling and quiet beaches

Beaches full of fun

The beaches at Paje are covered in fine white sand and are practically endless – to the south they merge seamlessly with the resort of Jambiani, whilst to the north they continue into the resort of Bwejuu.

Paje has perhaps the most varied beach of all the resorts on the east coast.

In the town centre, they are surrounded by hotels, bars and restaurants that stay open late into the night.

When is the best time to go swimming in Paje?

Swimming is most comfortable during high tide and for a few hours either side of it. The entry into the water is very gradual, and even at high tide you shouldn’t expect the depth to increase rapidly.

At low tide, the sea recedes by hundreds of metres; at the lowest point, it recedes by almost a kilometre. Instead of swimming, you can then walk along the exposed seabed, observing pools teeming with tiny creatures and local seaweed farms.

The time of high tide shifts every day. Before you go, therefore, check the tide table and do not expect to be able to swim at the same time every day.

I recommend wearing water shoes when walking on the exposed seabed. There are sharp corals in places and sea urchins can be found. Please do not pull starfish or other creatures out of the water to take photographs.

Which part of the beach is best?

The central beach, near the main access point from the village, is the liveliest. You’ll find the most bars, restaurants, kitesurfing schools and tour operators here. I’d choose this part for a first visit, solo travel and evening entertainment.

Heading north towards Bwejuu, the number of people and the volume of music gradually decrease. You’re still within walking distance of the centre, but the beach feels more peaceful.

Heading south towards Jambiani, the hotels and kitesurfing centres continue. The further you get from the main entrance to Paje, the more space you’ll have to yourself.

Entrance, sun loungers and services

Entry to the beach is free and you are free to walk along the seashore. Sun loungers and parasols usually belong to hotels or beach bars. There are few traditional public hire outlets, so always ask about the terms of use.

There is a very wide range of activities and refreshments on offer in Paje. At the same time, expect to be approached frequently by vendors. If you’re not interested, a brief and polite refusal is usually enough.

Kitesurfing in Paje

Paje is the most famous kitesurfing centre in Zanzibar. Between the coast and the coral reef lies a vast, shallow lagoon with plenty of space for both beginners and experienced riders.

There are a large number of schools operating along the main beach. I’d see a single short lesson more as a taster session. If you really want to learn how to get going, turn and control the kite safely, it makes more sense to take several lessons spread over a few days.

Before paying, ask whether it’s a private or group lesson, how much time you’ll actually spend in the water, and whether all the equipment is included in the price. Lessons are dependent on the wind and the tide, so the exact time may change.

Kitesurfing also affects normal swimming. In the busiest part of the beach, keep an eye on your surroundings and avoid areas where beginners are practising launching and landing their kites.

Discover local life

Paje is a wonderful blend of a bustling tourist resort with plenty of shops, mini-markets and restaurants, and a very local, poor little town that you can wander through without any worries.

Like most seaside resorts in Zanzibar, Paje is very safe.

Restaurants, bars and nightlife

In my opinion, Paje has the best selection of venues on the east coast. Alongside local stalls and simple bistros, there are cafés, restaurants serving international cuisine and beach bars.

You’ll find the liveliest atmosphere between the main road and the central part of the beach. The venues are all within walking distance of each other, and some bars stay open long into the night.

This makes Paje a good choice for solo travellers and younger visitors. If you’re looking for a quiet evening, I wouldn’t stay right by the main beach entrance or next to the well-known bar. Just head a few minutes’ walk north or south.

Where to stay in Paje

Paje offers budget guesthouses, sociable hotels for younger travellers and luxury villas.

When choosing, pay attention to the exact location. Accommodation listed as ‘Paje’ may be right by the sea, but it may also be situated behind the main road, several hundred metres from the beach.

• Central beach – best for restaurants, bars, excursions and kitesurfing, but also the busiest.
• The northern and southern edges – quieter beaches, yet still within walking distance of the centre.
• Inland, beyond the main road – usually cheaper, but you’ll have to walk to the sea every day.

Holidays with a travel agency

The range of package holidays to Paje is significantly smaller than those to Nungwi, Kendwa or Kiwengwa.

Nevertheless, a package holiday can be good value if you want flights, checked-in luggage, an airport transfer and accommodation all included in one price.

This hotel in particular features in the listings:

• The cheapest package option: Aluna Paje **** – a modern hotel with a swimming pool, about 100 to 200 metres from the beach and very close to the centre. I’d choose it for an active holiday and the good value, rather than for a stay right by the sea.

A hotel for those travelling independently

If you book independently, there’s a much wider choice. I’d recommend choosing based on how you want to spend your stay in Paje.

• A sociable atmosphere and lower prices: Hi Zanzibar – a livelier hotel near the beach, popular with younger travellers. A good choice for a solo trip, but less so if you’re looking for complete peace and quiet.
• A quieter boutique hotel: Tumbili Hotel Boutique – a small, modern hotel about 100 metres from the beach. I’d choose this for a comfortable stay close to the centre without the atmosphere of a large resort.
• Beachfront location: Oxygen Paje Hotel – a smaller hotel on the beach for those who want to step straight out of their room onto the beach and don’t want to pay for a luxury resort.
• Luxury and privacy: Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa ******* – spacious villas, a spa and extensive grounds right by the beach on the quieter outskirts of Paja. Ideal for couples and for a holiday without compromise.

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

How to get to Paje

Paje is situated on the south-east coast of Zanzibar. The journey by car from Zanzibar Airport takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

Transfer included in the package

On organised holidays, the transfer between the airport and the hotel is usually included in the price. The journey is by coach or minibus and may take longer due to stops at other hotels.

Taxi or hire car

If you’re travelling independently, the most convenient options are a taxi or a pre-arranged hotel transfer. Taximeters aren’t used, so make sure you confirm the final price before setting off.

Most hotels in the centre of Paje are accessible by car. However, for smaller accommodation options right on the beach, the final stretch of the journey may involve a narrow, unpaved road, so please send the driver the exact location of the hotel.

If you’d like to explore the east and south coasts independently, read about our experiences of hiring a car in Zanzibar.

Dala-dala bus

Paje is served by two main routes:

• 340 – connects the Kwerekwe terminal in Zanzibar City with Paje, Dongwe and Michamwi,
• 630 – runs along the east coast via Makunduchi, Jambiani, Paje, Dongwe and Michamwi.

Route 340 does not terminate directly in the historic centre of Stone Town, but at the Kwerekwe terminal. When travelling from Stone Town or the airport, you should therefore allow for a local bus or a taxi to the terminal.

Dala-dalas run frequently during the day, usually at intervals of 5 to 15 minutes, but they do not have a fixed timetable or regular stops. You pay the conductor in cash only, in Tanzanian shillings. Travelling with a large suitcase is uncomfortable.

You’ll mostly get around Paje on foot. You can easily reach Jambiani, Bwejuu or more remote hotels by tuk-tuk. We describe all the options in the chapter on transport in Zanzibar.

 

How many days to spend in Paje

If you’re travelling around the island, I’d recommend staying in Paje for 3 to 4 nights. That’ll give you time to experience the beach at both high and low tide, have a go at kitesurfing and go on one excursion.

A full week in Paje is ideal for more active travellers who want to visit different restaurants in the evenings and don’t mind planning their swimming around the tides.

For a more varied holiday, I’d combine a stay in Paje with a visit to Stone Town and a few nights in Kendwa or Nungwi.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Zanzibar.