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One of Zanzibar’s most underrated resort areas, Michamvi is a narrow northward-oriented peninsula that separates shallow Chwaka Bay from the open waters of the Indian Ocean. Much of the peninsula is enclosed by beautiful sandy beaches,
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but parts of Chwaka Bay are fringed by swamps. The established tourist focus is the east-facing village of Michamvi Pingwe, which is lined with upmarket resorts and hotels. In recent years, however, the smaller village of Michamvi Kae, which faces west onto Chwaka Bay, has experienced significant development (much of it budget-friendly) and gained a reputation as a magical spot.-
Size
- ± 8km / 5mi long
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Best Time To Go
- January, February and June to October
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Crowds
- Mostly very quiet
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Sleeping
- A wide variety of accommodations is available
Pros & Cons
- Quieter than most beaches on Zanzibar
- West-facing beach bars at Michamvi Kae are great for
- Good swimming at high tide
- Plenty of restaurants and nightlife
- Several dive schools and water sports centers
- Plenty of budget and mid-range lodgings
- Tides permitting, you can walk right around the beach
- Home to The Rock, Zanzibar’s most iconic restaurant
- Swimming not always possible at low tide
- dominate parts of the Chwaka Bay seafront
The Beach
A beach arcs around the entire peninsula, from the west-facing village of Michamvi Kae to its east-facing counterpart Michamvi Pingwe via the northern headland known as Ras Michamvi. The stretch of soft white sand running between
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Michamvi Kae and the headland is arguably one of Zanzibar’s best-kept seaside secrets. Because it is protected within Chwaka Bay, the water here is usually very calm and good for swimming at all tides. Lined by low coral outcrops and a combination of palms and scrub, this wide beach also retains a wilderness feel, making it ideal for long walks.Arguably even more stunning is the cliff-lined beach that runs southeast from Ras Michamvi toward Michamvi Pingwe. Only a handful of smallish isolated resorts can be found along this stretch of coast, so it has a very wild and remote feel. By contrast, the beach at Michamvi Pingwe, though equally beautiful, is more developed and busy with activity. The presence of an offshore reef means that good swimming is more dependent on the tides.Sleeping
Sleeping options around the Michamvi Peninsula are numerous and diverse. At Michamvi Pingwe, the village on the east side of the peninsula, there is a good choice of large package resorts and more exclusive boutique properties.
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By contrast, Michamvi Kae, on the western shore, is dominated by budget and mid-range options. Many of these have a chilled rustic feel that recalls the rest of Zanzibar as it was back in the 1990s (though, inevitably, this is gradually changing).Farther north, close to the headland of Ras Michamvi, there are a few more isolated package and boutique resorts that combine a scenic clifftop location with direct access to quiet stretches of beach.Eating & Drinking
Although many visitors to Michamvi’s resorts will be on packages that include all or most meals, the peninsula is also home to a fair selection of stand-alone restaurants and bars. The options at Michamvi Pingwe tend
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to be quite upmarket. They include The Rock, an iconic and atmospheric restaurant set on a coral outcrop, which at high tide is reached by poling a boat across a narrow channel. Restaurants at Michamvi Kae tend to be more affordable and down-to-earth, though there are exceptions. Wherever you eat, seafood is generally the specialty, though there are also Italian restaurants serving pizza and pasta.Because it is the only west-facing beach on the southeast coast, the village of Michamvi Kae has long been a popular spot, even with people staying elsewhere in the area. The best-known drinking spot here is Kae Funk Sunset Beach Bar, which combines a magnificent location on Chwaka Bay with a lively atmosphere. It’s especially popular with locals over weekends. Most restaurants and bars in Michamvi serve a selection of local beers, imported wines and colorful cocktails.Things To Do at Michamvi
Michamvi is a great place to indulge in typical seaside activities such as swimming, sunbathing and beach walks. Both Chwaka Bay on the western shore and the open ocean to the east are ideal for swimming,
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especially at high tide. Most resorts also have a swimming pool where you can hang out when the tide is low. The options for long beach walks are also practically limitless, especially at low tide, when a more or less continuous stretch of beach runs from Michamvi Kae around the Ras Michamvi headland to Michamvi Pingwe. The sheltered waters of Chwaka Bay are perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and other water sports.Nearby Things To Do
Popular marine activities in the immediate vicinity of Michamvi include visits and sunset cruises on Chwaka Bay and diving and snorkeling on the coral reefs off Michamvi Pingwe. These activities can be arranged with
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a number of different dive centers at Michamvi Pingwe.Another popular nearby destination for a day trip is Jozani Forest, which forms part of Zanzibar’s only national park. On guided walks at Jozani, you can expect to get close-up views of the , a striking long-fringed monkey that is to the island. You will also see and visit a boardwalk through the mangroves.It is also well worth organizing a day tour to explore the winding alleys and old buildings of Zanzibar’s historic Stone Town. This can optionally be combined with a spice tour to one of the plantations around the village of Kizimbani or a dhow trip to Changuu (Prison) Island and Nakupenda Beach.How To Get to Michamvi
The Michamvi Peninsula stands on Zanzibar’s southeast coast, about 30km/20mi from Zanzibar City as the crow flies. Coming by road, however, the driving distance is more like 60km to 70km (35mi to 45mi), depending on which