The laid-back, bohemian east coast — Paje and Jambiani, with long, dazzling white beaches, dramatic tides that expose vast sandbars and seaweed farms, a world-class kitesurfing scene, funky beach bars and a relaxed backpacker-and-boho vibe. Beautiful, chilled and cheaper, though swimming depends on the tide; the base for travellers who want a laid-back beach, kitesurfing and a young, mellow scene. Zanzibar's coolest, most bohemian coast. Relaxed and gorgeous.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
$60–140
typical per night in Tanzania
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Zanzibar — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Paje & Jambiani and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- A spice farm tour109 min taxi36.3 km
- The slavery history & Anglican Cathedral118 min taxi39.5 km
- Explore Stone Town119 min taxi39.8 km
- Forodhani Night Market120 min taxi39.9 km
- Snorkelling & diving146 min taxi48.7 km
- Snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll158 min taxi52.5 km
- Nungwi & Kendwa (beach)196 min taxi65.4 km
- A sunset dhow cruise196 min taxi65.4 km
- Nungwi & the northern tip196 min taxi65.4 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 2.The white-sand beaches — Zanzibar's beaches are the stuff of postcards — endless stretches of powder-soft white sand lapped by warm, impossibly turquoise water, fringed by palm trees and dotted with traditional wooden dhow sailboats. Whether the lively swimmable sands of Nungwi in the north, the boho tidal flats of Paje in the east, or a quiet cove all your own, simply relaxing on the beach, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean and watching the dhows drift by is the heart of the Zanzibar dream. Idyllic, blissful and utterly beautiful. The essential beach paradise; pure bliss.
- 9.The Rock Restaurant — One of the most photographed restaurants in the world — The Rock, a tiny restaurant perched atop a coral rock in the turquoise sea off the east-coast beach of Michamvi, reached on foot at low tide or by a short boat ride at high tide. Beyond the iconic setting, it serves good fresh seafood with the ocean lapping all around; book ahead and time your visit for the tide and the view. Even just for a drink and the photo, it's a magical, quintessential Zanzibar experience. A gorgeous, only-here highlight. Stunning setting; book in advance.
- 10.Kitesurfing at Paje — The east coast is one of the world's great kitesurfing destinations, and Paje is its buzzing hub — reliable winds, warm shallow water over a flat lagoon at the right tide, and a string of kite schools and a fun, international boho scene of beach bars and yoga. Take a beginner lesson or, if you're experienced, ride the flat turquoise water among the colourful kites; even watching from a beach bar is a joy. A thrilling, active highlight and the heart of Zanzibar's cool, laid-back east-coast vibe. Exhilarating for kiters, atmospheric for everyone. Great fun.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Paje & Jambiani; flights via Google Flights.