Zanzibar (Unguja) is a 1,466 km² island in the Indian Ocean, 35 kilometres off the Tanzanian coast — a destination of extraordinary natural beauty and deep cultural history. The island is best known for its stunning white-sand beaches, clear turquoise water, and world-class coral reefs on the east and north coasts, but it is equally rich in history and culture.
Stone Town, the island’s ancient capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a living museum of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian, and colonial European civilisation. Zanzibar was the heart of the Indian Ocean spice trade and the East African slave trade for centuries under the Omani Sultanate.
Today it is Tanzania’s most popular beach destination, typically visited as a 2-4 night addition to a mainland safari. Key beach areas include Nungwi (north), Kendwa, Paje (east coast kite surfing), and Matemwe. Marine activities include snorkelling, scuba diving, dolphin watching at Kizimkazi, and sailing on traditional dhows.