Unwind in the ocean
With miles and miles of clear blue water, Zanzibar’s beaches are the island’s crown jewel, and you should spend as much time admiring them as possible. There aren’t many waves here, if any at all, and the beach seems like a vast swimming pool. Maybe not ideal for surfers but great for everyone else. The tides are pretty dramatic and the water could be covering the shore or miles away from it, depending on the time of day. Keep in mind that depending on the month you come, the water may be pure, or there may be a seaweed invasion.
Take a water safari tour
Safari Blue is Zanzibar’s most popular activity and for a good reason. A full-day tour, beginning at about $80 per person, is well worth the money. Before boarding a traditional dhow boat, you will be dressed in flippers, a life jacket, and a snorkel mask. You then get off the boat and go snorkeling. Competent swimmers might even be able to swim with wild dolphins!
Zanzibar’s Stone Town is a must-see
Stone Town is a sensory overload, with narrow, meandering lanes and vivid items for sale. As you go around town, keep an eye out for the ornate doors, which are said to be robust enough to survive elephant attacks, which were supposedly regular in the past. Historic structures include the House of Wonders, which is reported to be the first structure on the island to have electricity, and the Old Fort, which currently houses small booths. You may visit the former slave market and the Sultan’s Palace, which has been transformed into a museum, to reflect on the atrocities that people were exposed to.
