Matemwe Beach | Beaches in Zanzibar
Matemwe Beach Zanzibar
If you are looking to reconnect with nature and relax far away from it all, Matemwe is your spot to be. Here you will find pristine fishing communities, hosting few tourists and more fish markets. At the stalls, you can try local dishes.
While all of Matemwe is very secluded, the northern part is even more dreamy, with less accommodations than the southern part of the village. Here you will find a few more hotels and thus an increasing offer of restaurants and cafés.
Starting in your hotel in Matemwe, you can go on great day trips. Go to Mnemba Island on a snorkelling trip and to Prison Island to view the giant tortoises. On a spice tour, you will learn all about spices and where they come from. Be prepared to be surprised: many spices you use every day grow very differently than you would think.
Go to Matemwe if you want to relax, but pick a different location if you want to go out and enjoy entertainment. If you long to hold a book in one hand and a drink in the other, you have found your dream destination. If you decide to get active after all, you can take a stroll on the romantically secluded beach – a wonderful diversion from long hours of relaxing at the hotel.
Heads up all water lovers: depending on the season it can be a bit difficult to swim in the ocean. During low tide, which is relatively strong in this part of the island, you will see a stretch of sea wheat and sea urchin between the beach and the open water. Crossing these can turn into a bit of a mission. During high tide, you can access the warm Indian Ocean without a problem. Alternatively: just turn the tables, put on some proper shoes and take a walk through the tidal flat.
Best Beach Resort around Matemwe
Zanzibar Retreat Hotel
Close to beach front. Lovely property. Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Zanzibar Retreat Hotel is located in Matemwe, a 10 seconds walk from the beach. Free WiFi access is available. At Zanzibar Retreat Hotel you will find a pool area and a private beach.
Sunshine Bay
Delightful property. Superb interior design. Opened January 2020. Situated in Matemwe 2 Km from the town, Sunshine Bay offers beachfront accommodation with 3 swimming pools, a private secluded beach and features various facilities, such as an ocean view restaurant, bar and a spa.
Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas
Boutique hotel. Beach front location. Hip. Featuring 2 outdoor swimming pools, Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas is located in Matemwe, 6 km from Dive Spot. This hotel offers room service, luggage storage space and free WiFi. Just 7 km from Zanzibar from Mnemba Island.
Zanzibar Pearl - Boutique Hotel & Villas
Boutique hotel. Beach front location. Elegant. Opened February 2019. Situated in Matemwe, a few steps from Matemwe Beach, Zanzibar Pearl - Boutique Hotel & Villas features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar.
Marafiki Beach Hotel & SPA
Lively. Superb breakfast. Opened November 2020. Located on Matemwe Beach, Marafiki Beach Hotel & SPA offers accommodation with a bar, a swimming pool, a garden and a 24-hour front desk for your convenience. Let us know if you need booking assistance.
Panga Chumvi Beach Resort
Beach front location. Great location. Situated directly on a picturesque beach in Matemwe, Panga Chumvi Beach Resort features an on-site restaurant, swimming pool, massage services, bicycle rentals, and free Wi-Fi access throughout the property.
Activities in Matemwe Beach
One of the main attractions of Matemwe is the world class diving at Mnemba Atoll. This area of ocean offers some of the best snorkelling and diving possible off Zanzibar, with a high chance of seeing turtles and wild dolphins in addition to the diverse and colourful coral reef fish.
But for many guests simply doing nothing is considered a serious activity. Do not be surprised if you are quite content to simply soak up the sun lying in a hammock with a good book or cocktail.
Regardless of whether you are feeling lazy or energetic the lodge has a number of activities and
Water based activities
#1. Snorkelling & diving #2. Full range of diving courses #3. Kite-surfing #4. Scenic kayaking along the reef #5. Guided reef walks to explore the tropical marine life #6. Local/traditional sailing & fishing #7. Deep sea fishing
Excursions
#1. Escape to Infinity remote sandbank excursion
#2. Day trips to historic Stone Town
#3. Spice tours
#4. Jozani Forest tour
#5. Guided Matemwe
#6. Village walk
#7. Sundowner dhow trips
Matemwe Spa Treatments
#1. Back & Neck Massage #2. Full body massages #3. Reflexology foot massage #4. Back & Leg #5. Hot Stone massage #6. Aromatherapy Facial. Email or Call us for help
Best Safari tours from Zanzibar
Often overlooked by many safari operators in favour of the northern parks, the southern parks of Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous Game Reserve) and Ruaha National Park are worth serious consideration and are the preferred destination for most who are really keen on their safari.
The benefits of heading to the south is that, where the very north of the Serengeti gives the numbers of game, along with some seclusion, the southern parks are still very much “frontier” parks and so are noticeably less busy (they also feature the same spread of species as the north, but more like a thousand, rather than 2 million).
The second important point is that, where the average lodge cost in the north is around $700 per person per night, the lodges in the south, where they offer a similar experience, are around $2-300 less.
The south and west of Tanzania are often overshadowed by the more famous and iconic Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the north. Some agents feel that the south and west are better suited to the seasoned safari-goer and don’t recommend them for a first timer – however we would disagree! We have sent thousands of first timers to southern Tanzania where they have had an excellent safari experience.
Matemwe Beach and Zanzibar archipelago Maps
Matemwe Beach and Zanzibar Beach FAQ
YES! From May 2021 a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test certificate with QR code is required for all travellers using a sample collected within 96 hours before arrival to Tanzania. Fully vaccinated travellers are also required for a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test certificate with no exception.
Yes, you can drink alcohol in Zanzibar, but be discreet. If you drink in the appropriate places and respect the local Muslim culture, having a few drinks is fine.
Zanzibar is located off the coast of Tanzania on 6 degrees south in the Indian Ocean. The climate is tropical due to the proximity to the equator. In accordance with the tropical climate, there are few fluctuations in temperatures during the year. The temperatures in Zanzibar are high all year round and average between 25 degrees and 28 degrees.
It is the “coolest” from June to August, the highest temperatures are around 30° C, while in the other months it is definitely well over thirty degrees. The nightly low temperatures range between 23 and 25 degrees in the course of the year, but can drop, albeit rarely, to just under 20 degrees in the cooler months. The driest time in Zanzibar is between June and October and in January and February with two to five rainy days per month.
Pictures of buildings and scenery, including people, can be taken any time. It is however strictly prohibited to take pictures of governmental buildings, persons or vehicles.
Most Western countries have a rather liberal and casual attitude when it comes to clothing. Zanzibar dress code, as required by Islam on the other hand, is a more conservative minimum dress code for both, men and women.
The best of Zanzibar’s beaches can be found on the south coast. Kizimkazi beach is where you’re guaranteed to see beautiful bottlenose dolphins in the ocean. Head to Kizimkazi if you wish to snorkel, dive or swim with the amazing creatures and other marine species in Zanzibar.
Yes, Zanzibar is very safe for swimming. The Indian Ocean is warm and the waves tend to be small. Zanzibar is a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. Conditions do vary from beach to beach and season to season, but overall many of Zanzibar’s beaches are ideal for swimming.
The Zanzibar archipelago consists of many small islands including two big ones, Pemba Island & Unguja. The latter being referred to informally as Zanzibar. Zanzibar has more than 25 beautiful, white, palm fringed beaches, the sea is warm, and the atmosphere is easy.
The average price of a 7-day trip to Zanzibar is $2,386 for a solo traveler, $4,285 for a couple, and $8,034 for a family of 4. Zanzibar hotels range from $38 to $217 per night with an average of $64, while most vacation rentals will cost $20 to $400 per night for the entire home.
I belive Kendwa has the better beach, and the deeper water on the north-western strip means swimming is possible throughout the day; the island’s eastern beaches are almost all tide dependent.
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