Where to stay quietly in Zanzibar for Christmas?

Hi everyone,

We have the opportunity to spend about ten days somewhere for Christmas, and I’m really tempted by Zanzibar. I’ve been dreaming for a long time about the Spice Island, Stone Town, diving...

Which hotels could you recommend? Not a big "resort"—we’re more into "boutique hotels" or even an Airbnb house. Somewhere quiet (we’re not party animals).

I’m thinking of staying the first few nights in Stone Town and then moving to a beach, preferably one where we can swim regardless of the tides, without ending up in seaweed and mud at low tide.

I’m a bit lost with all the beaches because apparently, the north is very crowded, the south is very windy, and the east has some good and some not-so-good spots, with big tides or not... HELP! 🤪

I’d like to limit myself to a maximum of 2 different places to stay over the 10 days.

Thanks in advance! 😉

Hi

As a keen diver, I’ve hit a bunch of beaches around the world, but Matemwe’s is the most stunning I’ve seen. That unreal turquoise water! We could swim, but it’s true that at low tide the lagoon drains…

Thanks !

😎

😎



😎 it works 🙂 By the way, we’re also diving (PADI). Do you have a reliable dive shop to recommend or any dive spots? Our son only has a junior Open Water, so for now we’re limited to 12m depth 🙂

😎



😎 that works 🙂 By the way, we’re also diving (PADI). Do you have a reliable dive shop to recommend or any diving spots? Our son only has a junior Open Water, so we’re limited to 12m depth for now 🙂

I dove at Mmemba Island, a small island facing the beach. Not deep, so it’s okay for your son. Pretty coral garden. It’s also a good snorkeling spot—just grab a boat from the beach and they’ll take you there (though it can get crowded).

I dove with Kibwana Dive Center, a small center on the beach. It’s pretty rustic. The divemaster didn’t have a safety sausage and made us surface in open water—I didn’t like that and deployed my own. Better suited for experienced/autonomous divers, but I wouldn’t recommend it for families.

😎



😎 That works 🙂 By the way, we’re also diving (PADI). Do you have a reliable dive shop to recommend or any dive spots? Our son only has a junior Open Water, so for now we’re limited to 12m depth 🙂

I dove at Mmemba Island, a small island facing the beach. Not deep, okay for your son. Pretty coral garden. It’s also a good snorkeling spot—just grab a boat on the beach and they’ll take you there (but it can get crowded).

I dove with Kibwana Dive Center, a small center on the beach. It’s pretty rustic. The divemaster didn’t have a safety sausage and made us surface in open water—I didn’t like that, so I deployed mine. Better suited for experienced/autonomous divers, but I wouldn’t recommend it for families.

Ah yeah, we’ll avoid that then—I still have trauma from Richelieu Rock in Thailand 20 years ago 🤪. The instructor made us dive while a storm was threatening, and we had to be picked up by another boat... ugh 😕

Oh yeah, definitely avoiding that—I still have trauma from Richelieu Rock in Thailand 20 years ago like that . The instructor made us dive even though a storm was threatening, and we had to be rescued by another boat... ugh 😕

Oh yeah, Richelieu Rock can get pretty wild!

Hi there,

There are also some nice and quiet spots in the southeast, between Bwejuu and Jambiani. I stayed at Mustapha's Place in Bwejuu—a rasta-style accommodation, right on the sand, just a stone's throw from the beach.

Fred

Thanks! :)

Hi, I’m not sure there’s a beach that ticks all the boxes, especially since tourism in Zanzibar has exploded in recent years. For peace and quiet and a stunning beach, I’d say Pongwe. We stayed at the Queen of Sheba Beach Lodge, and it was exactly what we wanted: really quiet and truly beautiful. But at low tide, the water’s far out, and there are patches of a kind of seaweed you have to navigate—either on your own or with help from locals—to reach the stretches of white sand. Some also recommend Jambiani South (the north is less quiet and has more hotels).

For diving and good clubs, others will have better advice than me. I only snorkeled at Mnemba, Safari Blue, and also by going out with fishermen from Jambiani or walking at low tide at Mnemba. Snorkeling at the touristy spots gets crowded, and it’s not great—either the crowds or it gets pretty wild.

If you arrange it yourself or with a fisherman in the lagoon, there are still some nice, quiet spots.

Stone Town is great if you stay in the historic center. It’s getting busier by the day, but if you steer clear of the "must-sees," you can still find quiet little alleys or tucked-away restaurants. That said, if you stay around Forodhani—especially in the evening to watch people dive (which I personally find overrated), Mercury’s bar, and the spice market—it can get really packed.

Happy planning!

Thanks!

I’ve looked into the tides, but I’d still rather stay in Pongwe or Matemwe for some peace and quiet, instead of Nungwi.

I think we’ll probably head to Matemwe so we can easily go snorkeling at Mnemba.

Hopefully it won’t be too crowded—it’s a bit scary! 🤪

Have a great day! !

Hi there,

Zanzibar is a fantastic choice for Christmas. The island offers an incredible mix of culture, history, and stunning beaches. Starting with a few nights in Stone Town is a great idea to explore the old town, markets, and discover the island’s history.

After that, if you're looking for a quiet and beautiful beach, I recommend Matemwe. It’s a very peaceful spot compared to Nungwi, which can be busier. Matemwe is known for its long white-sand beach, relaxing atmosphere, and splendid views of Mnemba Island.

It’s perfect if you’re looking for a tranquil spot rather than a party destination, and there are several charming boutique hotels and small guesthouses in the area.

I’m based in Matemwe myself, so if you need any info about the area, things to do, or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask. I’d be happy to help.

Best regards, Aisha