Most images of Zanzibar come from the north, where resorts cluster and the water stays deep. The east coast is a different proposition: enormous tides, seaweed cultivation, and small settlements where tourism sits alongside fishing rather than replacing it.
The tide changes everything
At low water the sea can retreat several hundred metres, leaving a shallow lagoon. Swimming has a timetable here. Check a tide table for the day and plan accordingly, particularly around Jambiani and Paje.
Practical points
- Dress modestly in villages, this is a majority Muslim island
- Ramadan changes opening hours significantly
- Kite surfing dominates Paje between June and September
Combine a few days here with two nights in Stone Town, which is a UNESCO site and a much more interesting introduction to the island's history than any beach.
