The small resort of Pongwe lies only about 5 km south of Kiwengwa, one of the main beaches of the northeast coast.

View the best beach hotels in Zanzibar

Time seems to have stood still in Pongwe - life here moves at a very leisurely pace and the relaxed atmosphere is accentuated by the wide, horseshoe-shaped sandy beach lined with palm trees.

In the middle of the beach is a long pier with a bar at the end.

Swimming is only possible at high tide, but at low tide you can walk across the lagoon to the barrier reef a kilometre from the shore.

The best hotels in Pongwe

European tour operators often head to Pongwe to offer package holidays, but the beach is also popular with tourists travelling around Zanzibar on their own.

We would recommend these hotels right on the beach:

• TOA Hotel & Spa Zanzibar ***** - a small modern luxury resort in the centre of the village.
  • book through booking.com
  • Book a holiday package including flight and transfer
• Karibu Beach Resort ***** - a quality 5* resort with great value for money
  • book with booking.com
  • book your holiday package with flight and transfer
• Santa Maria Corla Park **** - cheap 4* local hotel with good reviews
  • book with booking.com

How to get there

If you are travelling to Pongwe as part of a package holiday through a travel agent, you will be taken directly to the hotel from the airport by free bus. The journey usually takes between 1 and 1.5 hours depending on traffic.

If you will be travelling around Zanzibar by public transport (dala-dala buses), you will use this line to get to Pongwe:

• 223 - direction Kiwengwa, Uroa, Stone Town (some services only run between Stone Town and Pongwe and do not go to Kiwengwa)

Taxis or tuk-tuks are also commonly available in the centre of Pongwe. Take inspiration from our experience of travelling around Zanzibar:

• All about renting a car
• How to travel by taxis and public transport

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Zanzibar.