Islands in Zanzibar
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Reefs, Sandbanks and Private Retreats Off Unguja
Here is the list of 12 Islands in Zanzibar
1. Chumbe Island Coral Park
Chumbe Island Coral Park, located 8 km west of Unguja in Zanzibar, is a protected island dedicated to marine, forest, and wildlife conservation for over 20 years. It's famous for its coral reef, making it a top spot for snorkelling in East Africa with diverse marine life. Day trips offer chances to see unique wildlife and enjoy activities like Forest Walks and Birding.
2. Mnemba Island
Mnemba Island is a small private island owned by andBeyond, situated 3 kilometres off Zanzibar's northeast coast. It's renowned for its rich marine life and is surrounded by the Mnemba Atoll marine reserve, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving in Zanzibar.
3. Pemba Island
Pemba Island is a secluded and lesser-known spot, located 50 kilometres north of Zanzibar in Chake Chake town. This hilly island, 42 miles long and 14 miles wide, features dense forests, mangrove swamps, hidden beaches, lagoons, and tidal sandbanks.
4. Prison Island
Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, Kibandiko, or Quarantine Island, is a famous tourist spot with unique features. It is home to Aldabra giant tortoises and the remains of an old prison and hospital. While it once held slaves and served as a quarantine place, today, visitors can enjoy day trips exploring its history and natural beauty.
Zanzibar Travel Packages
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5-Night Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire Honeymoon Escape
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5. Nakupenda Beach, Zanzibar
Nakupenda Beach, also known as Zanzibar Sandbank or Nakupenda Island, is a sandbank in the Zanzibar archipelago, just a 15-minute boat ride from Stone Town Harbour. It's celebrated for its beautiful sandbanks, vibrant birdlife, and crystal-clear waters, making it a favourite for beach lovers and romantic couples.
6. Tumbatu Island
Tumbatu Island, shaped like a dagger in the Kaskazini region, stands out with the reef that separates it from the rest of Zanzibar. It's the third-largest island in the Zanzibar group, only 2 kilometres wide and 8 kilometres long. Known for its quiet beaches, diverse marine life, and lively local culture, Tumbatu Island has a rich history.
7. Uzi Island
Uzi Island, located in the southern part of Zanzibar, is a quiet and untouched destination. With a length of 6 kilometres, it's the second-largest among the smaller islands around Zanzibar. Home to around 6000 people, Uzi Island provides a glimpse into rural Zanzibar life, showcasing its simplistic culture and traditions.
8. Thanda Island
Thanda Island in Zanzibar is a luxurious private retreat, a four-star resort surrounded by turquoise waters and coral reefs. The single lavish villa with five suites provides an intimate escape. Notably, the island is part of the Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve, making it a haven for marine life and a tranquil getaway.
9. Bawe Island
Bawe Island in Zanzibar is a small, private retreat known for clear turquoise waters, coconut groves, and unique rock formations. This quieter option is considered Africa's best-kept secret and is known to be smaller than a football pitch.
10. Mafia Island
Mafia Island, also known as Chole Shamba, is the third-largest island in Tanzania, situated 80 miles southeast of Dar-es-Salaam. It stands out as a premier dive spot, with the Mafia Island Marine Park protecting its southern coastline and waters, providing a habitat for diverse marine life, including whale sharks and sea turtles.
11. Kwale Island
Kwale Island, also known as Kuvala, is a protected and historically significant island in Tanzania's Pwani Region. Spanning 300 hectares, it hosts a diverse ecosystem, including various turtle species, whale sharks, and migratory humpback whales, making it a unique destination. Area: 7.1 square kilometres
12. Misali Island
Misali Island near Pemba is known for its diverse marine life, with 350 fish species and unique coral. It's a protected area for species like sea turtles. Famous for great diving, especially at the Wall of Turtles, no permanent settlements are allowed. Area: 1 kilometre Recommended Time: 7 hours
Most visitors land on Unguja and never leave it, which means missing the part of Zanzibar that sits offshore. Chumbe and Misali are managed marine reserves with some of the healthiest coral in East Africa, Mnemba Atoll is the snorkelling site every dive shop in Nungwi runs to, and Prison Island and Nakupenda sandbank are short enough hops to fit around a morning in Stone Town. Pemba and Mafia sit further out and reward the extra flight or ferry with far fewer boats on the water. For the wider picture across the mainland and the coast, see our roundup of islands in Tanzania, and if you are building an itinerary beyond the beach, lakes in Tanzania and museums in Tanzania cover the inland side of the country.
This post was published by Varsha Alva
Top Hotels In Zanzibar
FAQs on Islands in Zanzibar
How many islands are there in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is an archipelago, not a single island. Unguja and Pemba are the two large ones, ringed by roughly fifty smaller islets, atolls and sandbanks. About a dozen of those are set up for visitors, either as a day trip by boat or as an overnight stay.
Which island in Zanzibar is best for snorkelling?
Mnemba Atoll, off the north-east tip of Unguja, has the reef most dive shops head for and is reachable from Matemwe and Nungwi. Chumbe Island Coral Park, west of Stone Town, is the quieter alternative and its reef sanctuary has been protected since the 1990s, so the coral is in better shape.
How do you reach the islands from Stone Town?
Boats leave from the Stone Town waterfront and from the beach hotels. Prison Island is about thirty minutes out, Nakupenda sandbank a similar hop, and Chumbe roughly forty-five minutes. Pemba and Mafia are further afield and need a short flight or a scheduled ferry rather than a day boat.
Can you stay overnight on the smaller islands?
A few of them, yes. Chumbe has eco-bungalows attached to its conservation project, Mnemba and Thanda are private-island lodges booked as a whole, and Pemba and Mafia have a normal spread of hotels. The rest, including Prison Island, Nakupenda and Bawe, are day visits only.
When is the best time to visit the islands?
June to October is the long dry season, with calm water and the clearest visibility for snorkelling. December to February is hotter but still good. The long rains run from March to May, when boat trips are cancelled more often and some smaller operators close.
Do you have to pay to visit the islands?
Several do charge. Prison Island has a small entry fee that covers the tortoise sanctuary, and Chumbe and Misali both collect a marine park conservation fee that goes towards reef protection. Boat transfers are priced separately and are usually the larger part of the cost.
