Zanzibar coastline is the stuff of postcards. The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has the widest beaches and the best swimming at all tides, plus a lively sunset scene.
The east coast — Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe — offers vast turquoise lagoons, a relaxed vibe and world-class kitesurfing. Watch the dramatic tides reshape the shore twice a day.
For quiet, head to the southeast or take a boat to a sandbank for a barefoot lunch on the reef.