Things to Do in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an island off Tanzania that mixes a layered old town, spice plantations, and some of the best beaches I have seen. I split my time between Stone Town and the eastern coast, and the two halves felt like different islands. The crossing from the mainland is short, which makes it an easy add onto a safari trip. Here is what I would do again.
Explore Stone Town on Foot
Stone Town is a dense old port with narrow alleys, carved doors, and markets that spill onto the streets. I walked it with no firm route and let the lanes decide. The house where David Livingstone stayed, the old fort, and the harbor all sit within a small area. A guide adds context to the doors and the history, which are everywhere once you look. Getting briefly lost is part of the charm, so keep your phone charged for the maps.
See the Night Market and the Sunset at the Fort
Every evening, the area around the old fort fills with food stalls and a sunset crowd. I ate garlic prawns, octopus, and grilled fish straight from the coals at the night market, eaten at shared tables in the open air. The fort walls are a good perch to watch the sun drop over the water. It felt like the social heart of the old town. Come hungry and bring cash, because the stalls trade in small bills.
Take a Spice Farm Tour
Zanzibar’s spice farms grow cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla, and a tour shows how they grow and how they end up in your kitchen. I tasted fresh spices right off the plants and had a lunch served in the plantation gardens. Tours run from Stone Town and are half a day with transport included. It is a sensory stop that pairs well with the beach half of the island. Watch for fresh vanilla on the vine, which looks nothing like the dried pods you know.
Swim and Snorkel on the East Coast
The eastern beaches near the villages of the east coast have calm, shallow water and good snorkeling just offshore. I spent a day at a beach club where I waded out to a sandbar and swam among fish. Tides shift the water level here, so check the tide before planning a swim. In low tide, the waterline retreats a long way out. The flat bottom stays shallow for a distance, so even a weak swimmer can stand and look down at the fish.
Spend a Day on the White Sand Beaches
The northern beaches around the peninsula are the classic Zanzibar image: white sand, palm trees, and turquoise water. I took a day trip to a beach on the northwest coast and stayed a few hours. It was a longer drive from Stone Town, but the open water and the quieter shore made it worth it. Some coves are private via a resort, so check beach access before you plan. The water color here, shading from pale green to deep blue, is the best on the island.
Go on a Sunset Dhow Cruise
A traditional wooden dhow boat cruise along the coast at sunset is a calm, beautiful way to end a day on the island. I joined a small cruise from the east coast and watched the sky change while the boat drifted. Many kitchens on shore are fishing boats themselves, so the link between the boats and the food on the table is direct. Book with a small operator for a quieter cruise and a better view from the deck.
See the Red Colobus Monkeys in Jozani Forest
Jozani Forest near the southwest harbor is home to the red colobus monkey, found nowhere else. I took the short boardwalk loop and saw several troops feeding in the trees with a small entry fee. Keep your distance and follow the path signs. It is a compact stop that shows a very different side of the island. The boardwalk also passes over a mangrove wetland, so you get two ecosystems in one short visit.
Plan for the Tides and the Season
Zanzibar’s shorelines are ruled by big tides, and the water level changes dramatically through the day. I checked tide tables before planning snorkeling or a beach visit. The dry season from June to October gives the calmest water and best visibility, while the wetter months can bring stronger swells. Give the island at least three days to see both Stone Town and a beach. A guide or your hotel can tell you the day’s tide times each morning.
Zanzibar gives you an old town full of history and a coastline that rivals anywhere. Split your time between the two, follow the tides, and let the boat and the spice tours carry you through the rest. The ferry to the mainland is short, so it works well as part of a longer Tanzania trip. I left with the feeling that the island’s pace, not any single sight, was the real draw.
