Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but te sand and surf vary greatly depending on the side of the island that you choose to stay on.

On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun.On the south coast of Zanzibar lies the Menai Bay Conservation Area, a sea turtle protection area for this endangered species – it works to protect the turtles that come to breed on the island.

Roads to the southeast coast take visitors through Jozani Forest, home to Zanzibar’s rare Red Colobus monkeys as well as a number of other primate and small antelope species. The lodges on this section of the coast are quieter and more secluded than those on the eastern and northern coastlines, but there’s a trade-off; the southern beaches aren’t, on the whole, quite as stunning.The best areas for snorkelling and diving are at Nungwi and Matemwe on the north-eastern side of the Island, close to the Mnemba Atoll.