Zanzibar: Beaches, Stone Town & Spice Tours

Zanzibar is the kind of place that feels made for a dream holiday — turquoise water, powder-white sand, swaying palms, and a historic old town steeped in centuries of trade and culture. This Tanzanian island in the Indian Ocean has become a rising favourite for Nigerian travellers seeking a beach escape, a honeymoon, or simply somewhere beautiful and unhurried. It is also a Muslim-majority island with a rich Swahili-Arab heritage, which gives it a culture many Nigerians find both exotic and familiar. Here is how to plan a trip that balances relaxation with genuine discovery.

Getting there and the lay of the island

You will fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) near Zanzibar City, usually connecting through an East African or Gulf hub from Nigeria. Routes and prices vary with season, so compare dates. You can arrange flights, beach resorts and island tours for your dates on our Zanzibar tours page, which makes a beach holiday far easier to coordinate as one plan. The island is compact: the historic Stone Town sits on the west coast, while the best-known beaches line the north (Nungwi, Kendwa) and the east (Paje, Jambiani and others). Transfers across the island take an hour or two depending on where you stay.

Stone Town — history you can walk through

Stone Town, the old heart of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and genuinely one of a kind. Its narrow, winding alleys are lined with coral-stone buildings, famously carved wooden doors, bustling bazaars and hidden courtyards. Spend at least half a day getting pleasantly lost here. Visit the former slave market and the Anglican cathedral built on its site — a sobering but important reminder of the island's painful history in the East African slave trade. See the House of Wonders from the outside (check its restoration status), the Old Fort, and the lively Forodhani Gardens night market, where food stalls serve grilled seafood and Zanzibari snacks as the sun sets over the water.

The beaches — the main event

Zanzibar's beaches are the reason many people come, and they live up to the postcards. In the north, Nungwi and Kendwa offer swimmable water at most tides, lively beach bars and sunset views, making them popular with first-timers. The east-coast beaches like Paje and Jambiani are more laid-back, with dramatic tides that pull the ocean far out and reveal vast sandflats — beautiful, though swimming is tide-dependent. Paje is also a hub for kitesurfing. Choose your base according to what you want: north for easy swimming and buzz, east for tranquillity and space. Whatever you pick, the water is warm, clear and unforgettable.

The spice tour — don't skip it

Zanzibar was once the centre of the global spice trade, which earned it the nickname "the Spice Island". A spice tour takes you to a working plantation where guides show you how cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom and more grow, letting you smell, taste and touch them straight from the plant. It is informative, hands-on and surprisingly fun, often finishing with a tasting of tropical fruit and a local meal. It is one of the most distinctive things you can do on the island and gives real context to the flavours in Zanzibari cooking.

On and under the water

The Indian Ocean here is a playground. Take a boat to the sandbank and snorkelling spots around Mnemba Atoll, known for its clear water and marine life, where you may spot dolphins along the way. Snorkelling and diving reveal coral reefs and colourful fish. A traditional dhow sailing trip at sunset is pure romance, perfect for honeymooners. For a nature excursion, the Jozani Forest is home to the rare red colobus monkeys found only on Zanzibar. Book water activities through reputable operators and check conditions, as the tides and weather shape what is possible on any given day.

Food in Zanzibar

Swahili cuisine is a fragrant blend of African, Arab and Indian influences, and it is overwhelmingly halal — a comfort for many Nigerian travellers. Expect fresh seafood, rich coconut curries, biryani-style rice, grilled fish, and spiced snacks. The Forodhani night market in Stone Town is a tasty, atmospheric place to sample lots of small dishes (choose busy stalls). Tropical fruit is abundant and delicious. Stick to bottled water for drinking, and be sensibly cautious with raw or very cheap street seafood if you have a delicate stomach.

Culture, dress and respect

Zanzibar is a conservative Muslim island, and travellers are warmly welcomed as long as they are respectful. Away from the private beach resorts, dress modestly in Stone Town and villages — cover shoulders and knees, and women may feel more comfortable with a light scarf to hand. Swimwear is fine at the beach and resort pools but not in town. These small courtesies go a long way and are easy for most Nigerian travellers who are already used to this kind of respect in Muslim communities.

Visas, health, documents and money

Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, and Tanzania's visa and entry rules change, so Nigerian travellers should always check the current official requirements before booking non-refundable travel, confirm what documents are needed, and ensure the passport has at least six months' validity. Health preparation also matters: malaria precautions are commonly advised for the island, and depending on your route a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required — confirm current health requirements with a travel clinic well before departure. If any of this feels complicated, a travel agency can guide you through it alongside your booking. The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, though US dollars are widely used in tourism; carry smaller notes for tips and local purchases, and note that cards are less universally accepted than in big cities, so plan some cash.

When to go

The main dry seasons — broadly the middle months of the year and a drier spell around the turn of the year — are the most reliable for beach weather, with the heaviest rains typically falling around April and May. Zanzibar is warm year-round, so there is rarely a bad time for the beach, but check the seasonal outlook for your dates when you plan.

A sample six-day plan

1. Day 1 — Arrive, transfer to your beach base, and unwind.
2. Day 2 — Full beach day: swim, relax, and watch the sunset.
3. Day 3 — Spice tour and Jozani Forest for the red colobus monkeys.
4. Day 4 — Boat trip to Mnemba for snorkelling and possible dolphin sightings.
5. Day 5 — Stone Town: history, bazaars and the Forodhani night market.
6. Day 6 — A final beach morning before your flight home.

Honest tips before you fly

• Pick your beach to match your plans — north for swimming, east for calm and space.
• Sort malaria precautions and any required vaccinations early with a travel clinic.
• Carry cash in smaller notes; cards are not accepted everywhere on the island.
• Dress modestly in Stone Town and villages, and save swimwear for the beach.
• Keep copies of your passport, visa and bookings, and book reputable operators for water trips.

Zanzibar blends pure beach bliss with real culture and history, and a little planning lets you enjoy both without hassle. You can compare flights, beach resorts and island tours for your dates and build the relaxed escape you are picturing on our Zanzibar page. If you need help with visas, health requirements or choosing where to stay, our team is available around the clock to guide you, so you can focus on the sand, the spice and the sunsets.