Another question about Zanzibar repeatedly asked is "Which areas do you recommend we go to, North or South-East?", supplemented by "I heard that there is no water in the South-East".

In order to clarify the waters a little about the areas "with water" or "without water" I chose to write this article so that you know in advance what you choose, even if you have a recommendation in this regard or not.

Ready? Let’s go!

Before explaining the differences between Zanzibar's tourist focus areas, I want to point out some essential geographical and administrative notions, thus, for our general knowledge.

Zanzibar is not an island, but an archipelago of islands and islets. The largest and most important are Unguja and Pemba.

Unguja is the largest island and the one that is also informally called "Zanzibar", followed by Pemba, second in size and population. Besides Pemba and Unguja there are dozens of smaller islands and islets such as Mnemba, Kwale, Tumbatu, Chumbe, Uzi, Pungume, and the list goes on.

From an administrative point of view, Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region, part of Tanzania with which it united in 1964 (state which was then called Tanganyika). From Tan (from Tanganyika) and Zan (from Zanzibar) + a sound suffix like "ia" (as many countries in Africa have) resulted the name and the new United Republic of Tanzania.

Returning to the subject that concerns us, where do we go in Zanzibar, North or South East?

The only ones who can answer this question are you, the ones who choose to come to Zanzibar on holiday. In the following lines I will give you all the details and differences between the North and South-East coasts so that you can make the right choice for you.

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The North Coast is represented by Nungwi (pronounced Núngwee) and Kendwa (pronounced Kéndua).

Nungwi is located in the extreme North of the island and Kendwa is next, oriented to the North-West.

These two areas were first developed by big investors, large hotels and 4 and 5 star resorts with hundreds of rooms and all-inclusives, among which there are also some boutique accommodation units.

Aesthetically, they look a lot like any other resort on any other tropical island. Massive concrete buildings, stacked side by side many times, lots of concrete and pavers on the ground, and shadows lined up to the ruler. Basically, if someone blindfolds you and you take off your scarf when you arrive, with no other data, you wouldn't be able to tell that you're in Zanzibar.

In terms of the destinations that most tourists choose to visit in Zanzibar, most of them are concentrated in the southern half of the island, which makes the journey from these areas considerably longer and more tiring. On a 7 or 10 night holiday you feel the extra miles you have to go if you want to explore the island and see the must-sees here.

In terms of diversity, exploration and interaction with the "vibe" of the island, you can't expect more than leaving your room and going to the beach to your umbrella, taking a dip in the ocean and then back to your umbrella , then back to the resort at the table. The options are pretty limited in terms of the variety of experiences you can have there. If you travel you will recover from this shortcoming, but if you have driven 8,000 kilometers to get to Africa, my opinion is that you should still taste a little of its diversity. You can more easily choose an all-inclusive resort in Egypt or Turkey for the same type of experience. You don't need to go that far for roughly the same thing.

If what you are looking for is relaxation in the sun and that's all, Nungwi and Kendwa are two good options, but if you want something more than just sitting in the sun and swimming in the ocean, you have other more interesting options.

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The South East coast of Zanzibar is synonymous with Paje (pronounced Páge), the most vibrant and diverse place in Zanzibar.

What is so special about Paje and why did we stop here?

Without a doubt, if you want to get a taste of everything Zanzibar has to offer, Paje has it all, being the most diverse and lively place on the island from any angle you look at it.

THE BEACH

It is one of the most beautiful in Zanzibar and is very clean as there are no offshore seaweed farms to be washed ashore (as in other areas). It stretches for many kilometers to the North and South, being perfect for long walks in which you can discover the whole area on foot. You can walk or walk from Paje towards the North, about 10 kilometers in the direction of Bwejuu - Dongwe, and towards the South about the same, towards Jambiani - Makunduchi; SPF 50 cream, sunglasses, a hat and a desire to walk.

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WATERSPORTS

A paradise for water sports lovers, the place is full all year round with amateurs and professionals of kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddle boarding or scuba diving. The place is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. There are schools and centers for anything you want to do in terms of water sports.

RESTAURANTS - BARS - CLUBS

Full!

Most of the places where you can eat, drink a cocktail or go out in the evening to a party are in Paje.

From restaurants with local specialties operated by locals (if you want to experience something raw and authentic), restaurants with European-Mediterranean specialties or even Algerian, Lebanese, Turkish, Italian. Those who, like us, have chosen Zanzibar as their home, have opened small businesses here and enriched the spirit and diversity of the place through the imprint of the culture they come from, and we think that's wonderful. There is room for all under this great Sun.

Every day of the week there is a party in Paje or nearby. Monday at Coral Rocks (Jambiani), Tuesday at Summer Dream (Paje), Wednesday at Oxygen (Paje), Thursday at Mani (Paje), Friday at Jambo (Paje), Saturday at B4 (Paje), Sunday at Vuvuzela, that we name only a few.

POSITIONING and ACCESSIBILITY

Most of the sights to visit in Zanzibar such as Jozani Forest, Safari Blue, Mtende Beach, Michamvy Bay, Mnemba, The Rock area or Spice Farm are 30-40 minutes away from Paje, a maximum of an hour in the case of the most distant ones shortening the time spent in the car when you choose to go on trips.

In Paje you will find almost everything you need on a Zanzibar holiday. The distances to the points of interest are as follows:

- Paje Beach - 1/2 minutes

- ATM - 4-5 minutes

- Supermarket - 1/2 minutes

- Maasai Village (market & souvenir shops) - 1 minute

- Pharmacy and Private Clinic - 3/5 minutes

I believe that you are now better equipped with clearer information about the areas of interest in Zanzibar and can make an informed choice on your own, regardless of what you are told left or right so that your vacation in Zanzibar is as close as possible to what you dreamed of -a.

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There is only one thing left: water. "Where is there water, where is there no water?".

To cut it short: water is everywhere, but it depends on ebb and flow.

I want to give you all the explanation and details because that's how it's nice not to keep people in the dark.

As a result:

High tide and low tide. There is ebb and flow everywhere on the Globe. It is influenced by the Moon. When this orbits around the Earth it "pulls water" towards it, generating the flow phenomenon. The phenomenon is complex and interesting.

Zanzibar is no exception to the ebb and flow phenomenon.

As a result, every day we have 2 x flow (high-tide) and 2 x ebb (low-tide). They are staggered and occur 6 hours apart.

So we have High Tide -> Low Tide -> High Tide -> Low Tide during 24 hours.

From one day to the next, all 4 "advance" by approximately 50 minutes.

For example, if today I had:

a) the first flow (high-tide) at 12:00 and the first ebb (low-tide) at 18:00

b) tomorrow, the same "first flow" (high-tide) will be at 12:50 and the first ebb (low-tide) will be at 18:50

c) the second flow and the second ebb will also follow. Imagine a wheel with 4 cross points that all advance 50 minutes each day like a clock.

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So where does the difference between the North and the East/South-East come from when it comes to water?

The difference between the ebb and flow on the North coast and the East coast is due to the underwater relief.

All along the east coast of Zanzibar there is a coral barrier that runs parallel to the beach line. It is located at a distance of approximately 2 kilometers from the beach line. I have put a satellite view below so that we can see more clearly.

The difference in level between the coral barrier area and the beach line is about 4 meters. Basically, over a distance of 2 kilometers we have more of a flat to slightly inclined plane, not a steep slope. Only from the offshore barrier does the oceanic cliff begin. As a result, when the water recedes at low tide, reaching a depth of 0.3 meters, this entire "lagoon" is "emptied of water".

When water returns to flow in a few hours, it fills back up.

This phenomenon, almost unique on the globe, is part of the magic of Zanzibar and the East coast. It's impressive to see how "the Ocean comes over you", and in a few hours it goes away. This perpetual dance of nature still fascinates us day after day, even after spending so much time here.

On the North coast, in Kendwa, this coral barrier, as well as this elevation of land, does not exist. There is a steeper slope. As a result, when the water recedes at low tide, you go a few more meters and reach the water.

This is the "big difference" underlying the eternal question or statement "Is it water?" / "There is no water!".

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IN CONCLUSION

As long as your chosen hotel has a pool, you go on water excursions or you follow the stream on an app, you can swim every day, both in the ocean and in the pool.

This aspect is by no means an inconvenience, but rather a special phenomenon that, if you stay in the North, you will not have the opportunity to experience it in its real beauty and magnitude.

I hope that the information here has done more than just answer the classic question "Is it water?".

If you are planning a vacation in Zanzibar on the East Coast, we look forward to welcoming you.

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