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Kendwa is the perfect Zanzibari destination for fun-lovers seeking a chilled all-inclusive resort getaway on a beach that could barely be more idyllic. Here you can spend long days lying on a beachside sun lounger, sipping
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a cocktail or reading a trashy novel, as a tropical sea breeze rustles through the palm fronds overhead. Kendwa is also one of the best swimming beaches on Zanzibar, and a lovely spot for a barefoot beach walk as the sun sets gold and orange over the Indian Ocean.-
Size
- ± 3km / 1.9mi long, 125m / 410ft wide
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Best Time To Go
- January, February and June to October
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Crowds
- Quite busy but not crowded
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Sleeping
- Package hotels dominate but there are other choices
Pros & Cons
- One of Zanzibar’s widest and prettiest beaches
- Good swimming conditions except when the tide is very low
- One of the few beaches on Zanzibar to face west and catch the sunset
- Numerous beach kiosks offer henna painting, hair braiding and massage
- Long beach walks all the way to Nungwi
- Diving excursions and other activities
- Famed for the full-moon beach parties held at Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel
- Dominated by package hotels more than other Zanzibari beaches
- The beach is public, but points of access are limited
- Village and beach feel less integrated than elsewhere on Zanzibar
The Beach
Kendwa is truly the stuff of tropical beach holiday fantasies. All silky soft sand, swaying coconut palms and aquamarine waters, it is beautiful to look at and good for swimming in most tidal conditions. What’s more,
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despite fitting every picture-postcard stereotype, this long, wide beach also has a strongly individual character. The north end of Kendwa is hemmed in by impressive coral-rock cliffs with a deep overhang, while a shallow bay in the south is used as a harbor and dockyard by traditional fishing .Not so long ago, Kendwa was a sleepy, off-the-beaten-track village whose sole lodge gained legendary status in backpacking circles for its chilled party atmosphere. Since then, it has changed beyond recognition. Indeed, more than any other beach on Zanzibar, Kendwa has embraced a package-oriented tourism model and is now dominated by all-inclusive resorts that seem to exist alongside the village, rather than forming an extension of it.Sleeping
Accommodations in Kendwa are dominated by a row of large beachside resorts that could be transplants from the Mediterranean or Caribbean. Generally, the most central resorts are also the largest and the most impersonal and package-oriented.
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Peripheral hotels, such as those perched on the cliffs running north toward Nungwi, tend to be smaller, more individual and more luxurious. For independent travelers seeking an integrated Zanzibari experience, the village is dotted with small budget and mid-range lodges that are only a short walk from the beach (once you’ve located the limited beach access points).Eating & Drinking
Many visitors to Kendwa are booked onto resort packages that include most or all meals. Restaurants at these resorts are generally very good, especially when it comes to seafood, and many practically spill out onto the
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beach. These resort restaurants are usually open to walk-ins, but menus tend to be on the pricey side.If you’re looking for something more affordable and organic, several stand-alone restaurants line the main road behind the resorts. These are all privately owned and often owner-managed, but most lack sea views. A good variety of cuisines is available, including Turkish, Italian and Zanzibari-style seafood.All the resort hotels have beach bars where guests (and, usually, walk-ins) can watch the sun set over the ocean while sipping a chilled beer or cocktail. South African wine is available at all restaurants, but is cheaper if bought at a liquor store. As a rule, nightlife in Kendwa is more subdued than it is in nearby Nungwi. The exception is at full moon, when Kendwa Rocks, the village’s oldest hotel, hosts a popular all-night beach rave that has been running since the 1990s.Things To Do at Kendwa
Kendwa has one of the most attractive swimming beaches on Zanzibar. The water may be a bit too shallow for swimming when the tide is very low, but conditions are usually excellent at other times. All
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the resort hotels have large swimming pools where guests who don’t feel like heading to the beach can take a dip. And if you’re in need of some pampering, the beach is lined with simple kiosks offering massages, henna skin painting and African-style hair braiding.Kendwa Beach is very scenic and the soft sand is wonderful for long barefoot walks. As you stroll along the beach, you can admire a variety of boats anchored in the shallows and look for starfish, which are particularly common here. If you’re feeling energetic, you could walk all the way north to Nungwi, which will take around 45 minutes to one hour. Kendwa is also known for the all-night beach party held every full moon at Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel.Nearby Things To Do
Although plenty of visitors to Kendwa are content to hang out on the beach or at the hotel swimming pool, there is lots to do for more adventurous travelers. A popular activity is a guided day
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tour to explore the atmospheric alleys of Zanzibar City’s Stone Town, which once presided over the most important in Africa. More locally, the little-visited Tazari Twin Caves and Fukuchani Ruins, which lie close to the main road to Zanzibar City a short distance south of Kendwa, are both steeped in history.If you’re interested in marine wildlife, don’t miss out on a boat excursion to dive or snorkel the Mnemba Atoll. Situated off the northeast coast of Zanzibar, the colorful coral reefs of Mnemba host a dazzling array of reef fish. Dolphins and might also be seen in the area.How To Get to Kendwa
Kendwa has a remote location on the west coast, about 60km/35mi north of Zanzibar’s famous Stone Town. Road transfers and taxis from Stone Town to Kendwa shouldn’t take longer than 90 minutes and can be arranged