Nungwi Beach

Nungwi Beach

Nungwi beach is a top tourist destination in Zanzibar island with vast stretches of white sand blanketed by colorful shells and azure blue waters, Nungwi is also the second-largest settlement on Zanzibar’s main island Unguja after Stone Town.

Nungwi Beach is located on the northwestern tip of Zanzibar Island, due to its prime location on the main island, exquisite beauty, activities and accommodations suiting all budgets, Nungwi is a tourist host spot. The beach has a kind of white coral sand that seems to glow even after night flow, its expansive coastline is wide open for swimming and snorkeling in some of Africa’s most pristine, reef rich waters and it can make you feel secluded.

Nungwi Beach is one of the rare Zanzibar beaches untroubled by the severe undulations of high and low tides making it perfect for all – day water activities. In the modern Zanzibar, Nungwi is the best beach. The calm blue waters of the beach are beautifully calm because of its location at the tip of the island where the changing of tides is less dramatic than some of other islands of Zanzibar.

Nungwi Beach was once a hub for dhow building and it straddles the line between modernity and tradition, tourism industry and significantly developed the area, however you can still watch the dhow boats casting off for a night of deep-sea fishing.

THINGS TO DO

BEACHES

A beach holiday is perfect on Nungwi beach, lie down on the oft white sand of the beach and soak up the sun with a book in your hand, Nungwi beach experience very calm tide changes which means the beach stays unaffected and visitors are undisturbed.

For young travelers and backpackers on a holiday to Zanzibar, you can visit the kendwa beach which lies 3 kilometers from Nungwi Beach,  Kendwa Beach featires shack-style bars lining the beach front with music playing all night and if you are keen on a party, The Rock Hotel is the favorite spot notorious for its Saturday night parties.

If you prefer a quieter beach, Matemwe Beach should be your destination, it is situated 25 kilometers to the south of Nungwi. Matemwe beach is quieter and has smaller boutique hotels and is a preferred spot for the locals.

EXPLORE ZANZIBAR AND ITS HISTORY

During your vacation at Nungwi Beach, you can visit the Ras Nungwi, a light house built in 1886. This light house is one of the oldest buildings on the island and is situated in a short walk from Nungwi beach, this house is not open to the public but you can take a short walk to view it from the outside and take amazing pictures.

Other sites to visit in the Nungwi Village are the Tazari caves – an extensive network of caves believed to have been the hiding place for slaves in the pre-colonial Zanzibar in the era of the Arab Slave Trade

CULTURAL VISITS

Cultural visits at Nungwi Beach are organized to the surrounding village, this experience gives you an insight into the local area, traditions and history of Zanzibar.

WATER SPORTS

Nungwi Beach is an extremely popular destination for water sports such as kite surfing, diving and snorkeling. All of these activities can be adjusted to the experience level of the travelers, also lessons are available. You can book a lesson at a local kite surfing, diving school where you can also rent equipment.

Snorkeling and diving usually take place on Mnemba Island situated just a short trip away.

VISIT THE MNARANI TURTLE CONSRVATION POND

The Mnarani Turtle Conservation is another great destination while your holiday at Nungwi Island, the conservation Pond is located to the right Nungwi Beach. At your visit, you can view and feed the Green and Hawsbll sea turtles that swim freely in a tidal lagoon, you can also view tiny newborns and learn about each stage of their conservation proceed.

There is also the Baraka Natural Aquarium situated close to Nungwi Beach, you can swim in this aquarium with the turtles.

BARS AND RESTURANTS

In Nungwi, there is a variety of tasty dining options, most of the hotel restaurants are situated on the ground and on the beach and they are open to all the visitors including non-guests, the prominent feature of the menus in Nungwi is fresh sea food and trying the lobster, snapper and jumbo prawns is recommended.

Some of the excellent restaurants and bars to try in Nungwi Beach include

• Langi Langi Beach Bungalow restaurant – this restaurant has some of the best food on the beach and boasts excellent view, it is very popular and some of the dishes you should try out include the curries and Ma- salas.
• Mama Mia Restaurant –  This Italian restaurant is run by 2 Italian brothers and boasts magnificent sea view, the restaurant serves Italian gelato and pastries and delicious pizza.
• Cholo’s bar – the bar has a lively atmosphere with funky décor including halved dhows and hammocks, the bar serves good beer and often has live music.

PLACES TO STAY

Nungwi Beach is best known for its array of luxury beach-front resorts and hotels, these accommodations include

• The Essque Zalu Zanzibar
• GOasis
• Nakupenda Villa
• Maasai Villa
• Wakanda Hotel among others.

WHEN TO GO

The best season to visit Nungwi Beach is during the long dry season which is from July to September, this period is a peak travel season and it is very busier, some lodges, hotels and parks charge higher rates.

Avoid visiting the beach during the long rainy season from March to May, the rains are often heavy and sudden which results into activities being cancelled last minute.

GETTING THERE

There are no airstrip in Nungwi and the only way to get there is a 2 hours’ drive from Stone Town, you can hire a taxi from the airport and transfer you to the beach. Renting a car is a good choice. Another alternative is using a shared tax that can be booked using The Zanzibus which is a cheaper option to a private vehicle, the cheapest option is the dala dala .

Nungwi Beach can be added to your Tanzania safari to Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire national park among others.