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Bwejuu, immediately north of Paje, is one of Zanzibar’s most rustic and untouristy seaside destinations. The village boasts a long and very attractive beach of powdery white sand lined with coconut palms, private bungalows and small
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down-to-earth resorts. Bwejuu has no large tourist developments and little that could be described as trendy. This makes it a refreshingly authentic holiday option for anyone curious to experience what Zanzibar was like before tourism took off in a big way.-
Size
- ± 4km / 2.5mi long
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Best Time To Go
- January, February and June to October
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Crowds
- Quiet
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Sleeping
- Several small resorts and lodges
Pros & Cons
- Excellent for swimming at high tide
- Very down-to-earth and not at all touristy
- Accommodations tend to be individualistic and affordable
- Long beach walks possible in both directions
- Few touts selling handicrafts and day tours
- Swimming not always possible at low tide
- Few stand-alone restaurants or shops
- Limited water sports options
The Beach
Bwejuu is a long, wide beach of two contrasting halves. The south beach is effectively an extension of the village, and despite the lack of obvious tourist development, it is busy with local activity throughout the
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day. The quieter northern part of the beach lies outside the village and is scattered with small beach lodges. Along this stretch you’ll hear little other than lapping waves, cheerful birdsong, and the wind rustling through palm fronds.Both parts of Bwejuu Beach are very pretty, with soft white sand, turquoise water and plentiful coconut palms to set the scene. As with so many beaches on Zanzibar, the calm warm ocean offers ideal swimming conditions at high tide, but it is less ideal at low tide when the water subsides fully.Sleeping
If your preference is for an all-inclusive upmarket package resort, Bwejuu will not be for you. Otherwise, quite a few accommodations are available. Places within the village, or on the beach alongside it, tend to be
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locally owned and aimed at backpackers and independent travelers seeking a relatively integrated African village experience. Farther north, away from the village, the trend is more toward budget and mid-range options set in blissful palm-shaded gardens running down to the beach. There are also a couple of smarter boutique-style hotels, which are generally owner-managed and unique in feel.Eating & Drinking
Unlike most other beach destinations on Zanzibar, Bwejuu is rather lacking when it comes to stand-alone restaurants. Most visitors eat wherever they are staying. But if this becomes repetitive, you can break it up by trying
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other hotel restaurants, which usually accept walk-in clients. Seafood tends to dominate restaurant menus, but there is some variety if you look around, and most places offer a few vegetarian options.Almost all hotels in Bwejuu have a bar serving chilled Tanzanian beers, imported wine (usually from South Africa) and cocktails. If you want to save money by buying wine from supermarkets, there is nothing suitable in Bwejuu, so you’ll need to do your shopping in Paje. A popular destination for drinks is Michamvi Kae, which faces west toward Chwaka Bay, about 14km/9mi from Bwejuu.For a special occasion, think about booking lunch or dinner at The Rock, which is Zanzibar’s most iconic restaurant. It stands on an offshore islet about 10km/6mi north of Bwejuu.Things To Do at Bwejuu
If you’re expecting a variety of organized activities at Bwejuu, you’ve come to the wrong place. True, there is a kitesurfing school attached to a beach resort at the far north end of the beach, but
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you probably need to head south to Paje if you’re looking for other organized seaside activities.For most visitors, Bwejuu is all about chilling in a hammock or on a sun lounger, enjoying the beautiful seaside setting and tropical heat, and taking the occasional swim in the ocean. The beach is also fun to explore. You could join the village teenagers in a game of beach football, chat to local fishers, watch local women weave coir rope from the fibrous outer husk of coconuts, and generally just absorb the relaxed patterns of life.Bwejuu is ideal for beach walks. Indeed, the possibilities are practically limitless, as the beach merges into its counterpart at Paje in the south and continues all the way to Michamvi in the north. An unusual feature of the beach is a rickety three-story wooden platform that offers wonderful views over the surrounding area.Nearby Things To Do
Paje is the best base for arranging any excursions not offered by your hotel. This larger village lies about 5km/3mi from Bwejuu and is home to numerous dive schools and small local operators. Depending on your
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interests, popular guided activities include walking tours of the historic Stone Town, boat trips to snorkel and dive on the Mnemba Atoll, and tracking the on foot in Jozani Forest. A good variety of water sports is also available at Paje Beach.How To Get to Bwejuu
Bwejuu stands on the southeast coast of Zanzibar, about 55km/35mi from Zanzibar City’s Stone Town and 5km/3mi north of the junction town of Paje. The drive from Stone Town or nearby Abeid Amani Karume International Airport