Zanzibar has two high tides and two low tides roughly every day. On some beaches the difference is dramatic: at low tide the sea can withdraw hundreds of metres, leaving sand flats, rock pools and seaweed farms. Knowing this before you book helps you choose the right beach.
How the tides work
- High and low tides come about every six hours, and the times move later by roughly 50 minutes each day.
- Spring tides, around full and new moon, have the biggest range: the highest highs and lowest lows.
- Neap tides, around the half moon, are smaller.
- The tidal range can reach about 4 metres at spring tides.
Which beaches are affected
| Area | Effect of tides |
|---|---|
| Nungwi and Kendwa, north | Small; swimming at most times |
| Matemwe, Kiwengwa, northeast | Large; reef exposed at low tide |
| Paje, Bwejuu, Jambiani, east | Very large; swimming mainly around high tide |
| Michamvi, southeast | Large on the east side, less on the west |
| Stone Town | Moderate |
Making the most of low tide
- Walk far out on the sand flats and explore rock pools with water shoes.
- Watch women tending seaweed farms on the east coast.
- Visit the Rock restaurant on foot, then leave by boat at high tide.
- Kitesurfers on the east coast often use the lagoon at mid-tide.
Planning tips
- Check a tide table for your dates and beach before you book.
- If swimming whenever you like matters most, choose the north.
- Ask your hotel for the daily tide times.
- Boat trips to Mnemba or sandbanks are timed around the tide.
Read our Zanzibar beaches guide and the best time to visit Zanzibar.
Frequently asked questions
The east coast has a wide, shallow lagoon behind the reef, so at low tide the water withdraws a long way.
Nungwi and Kendwa in the north.
Usually two high and two low tides, each about six hours apart.
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