Paje Beach | Beaches in Zanzibar
Paje Beach Zanzibar
Located off the coast of Tanzania, Paje is situated on the island of Zanzibar, which can succinctly be summed up as Indian Ocean amazingness (yes, I’m using that word!) Situated on the east coast of this fabulous island, Paje is essentially a huge, long strip of white sand bordered by a small village on one side and a collection of beachfront accommodation services and eateries, as well as turquoise waters on the other.
Paje beach is known for its water sports and the excellent kitesurfing conditions draw amateur and professional kitesurfers from all over the world to this specific area of the island.
In addition to this, the clear, warm waters are great for scuba diving, as the reefs offshore are home to turtles, starfish, trumpet fish, moray eels and other colourful marine creatures.
Getting to Paje
The first step to reach Paje is to get to Zanzibar in Tanzania itself. This can be done via an expensive flight from various African or European destinations (check out Skyscanner for the best rates) or via a cheaper ferry option from Dar Es Salaam to the capital Stone Town. From Stone Town, you can either get a private taxi – priced at around 25,000 Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) and taking 1 hour – or you can catch 2 local buses. No surprises for guessing which option I batted for! Here in Tanzania, the local buses are called dala dalas and this phrase is used to describe anything from a new-looking minivan to an old, open-air pick-up truck. No surprises which sort of dala dala I got to Paje!
Paje Mini Guide
Where to Stay in Paje
Ebb and Flow Apartments is the perfect spot if you want to be close to the beach in Paje. They’re also linked with the dive school, so you may be able to swing yourself a discount here.If you’re looking for somewhere a bit cheaper, you’re more likely to be on fringes of the action, but New Teddy’s Place, as well as Drifters, are both top budget accommodation spots I recommend in Paje, Zanzibar.
Things to Do in Paje
As I said before Paje is known for its water sports, most commonly its excellent scuba diving opportunities. In fact, if you are looking to dive Zanzibar, Paje is absolutely the place to come. The clear, warm waters are a scuba diver’s heaven and I got to see turtles, starfish, trumpet fish, moray eels and octopus among a heap of other colourful marine creatures. You can use Buccaneer Diving, for your diving Experince.
Eating and Drinking in Paje
With a number of good local, and ex-pat eateries, Paje is well-stocked when it comes to food My 2 favourites were Mr Kahawa and B4. Mr Kahawa is a stunning beachside (literally, as in your beachbag seat is on the sand!) café open for lunch and breakfast. Not having had western food for a while when I got here, I was beyond delighted to enjoy a hummus & falafel wrap, a stunning green smoothie and the best coffee.
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.
Paje Beach and Zanzibar archipelago Maps
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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