Explore Stone Town
Wander the narrow alleys of this UNESCO World Heritage town: carved wooden doors, the Old Fort, the seafront, busy markets and the evening food stalls at Forodhani Gardens. A guided walk brings its history to life. See our Stone Town guide.
Take a spice tour
Zanzibar is the "Spice Island". On a guided spice farm tour you see, smell and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper and tropical fruit, and learn how they are grown and used.
Visit Prison Island
A short boat ride from Stone Town, Changuu — "Prison Island" — is home to a colony of giant Aldabra tortoises, some of them very old, plus a historic building and good snorkelling around the island.
See red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park protects the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found only on the island. A guided walk takes you through the forest and along a boardwalk through the mangroves.
Snorkel or dive at Mnemba Atoll
Off the north-east coast, Mnemba's protected reef has clear water, colourful fish, turtles and often dolphins. See snorkelling and diving.
Sail on a sunset dhow cruise
Sail along the coast on a traditional wooden dhow as the sun goes down — a Zanzibar classic, especially from Stone Town, Nungwi and Kendwa.
A day in Menai Bay
In the protected waters of the south-west, full-day boat trips combine sandbanks, snorkelling, a lagoon swim and a seafood lunch on an island.
Sandbanks and islands
Picnic on a sandbank that appears at low tide, such as Nakupenda off Stone Town.
Kitesurfing in Paje
Paje's shallow lagoon and steady winds make it one of the best places in East Africa to learn or ride — roughly June to September and December to February.
Village and culture visits
Walk through a fishing village, see seaweed farming in Jambiani, or watch dhows being built by hand in Nungwi. See culture and etiquette.
Eat your way round the island
From the Forodhani food market to seafood on the beach — see Zanzibar food.
Book excursions through us or your hotel, rather than with sellers on the beach. See also our Zanzibar tours and beach holidays.
