Kendwa Zanzibar Holidays
Kendwa
Holidays
Zanzibar's most relaxed beach — a quieter alternative to Nungwi with the famous full moon parties and stunning sunsets
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Flight Time
9h from London (via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam)
Best Time
June to October, December to February
Country
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Suppliers
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Kendwa Holiday Guide
Kendwa is a small, relaxed beach village just south of Nungwi on Zanzibar's northwest coast — a quieter, more intimate alternative to its busier neighbour. The beach is powder-white, the water stays swimmable at all times, and the sunset views are extraordinary.
Kendwa is famous throughout Zanzibar for its full moon beach parties at Kendwa Rocks — monthly events with live music, DJs and fire dancers that attract visitors from across the island. The boutique hotels are more intimate and characterful than the larger resorts of Nungwi.
Nungwi (20–30 minutes along the beach) has the turtle sanctuary, fish market and wider range of restaurants. The Mnemba Atoll (45 minutes by boat) is the finest dive site in Zanzibar.
The best time to visit is June to October and December to February. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals, with the FIBI discount applied automatically.
Popular Areas in Kendwa
Average Temperatures
Jan
30°C
Feb
31°C
Mar
30°C
Apr
28°C
May
26°C
Jun
25°C
Jul
24°C
Aug
25°C
Sep
26°C
Oct
28°C
Nov
29°C
Dec
30°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Kendwa
The sunsets, full moon parties and relaxed beach atmosphere that make Kendwa Zanzibar's most charming and intimate beach village.
Sunset Views
Kendwa has some of the finest sunset views in Zanzibar — the beach faces west and the sky turns extraordinary shades of orange, pink and purple as the sun drops into the Indian Ocean. The beach bars set up sunbeds and tables on the sand for sunset, and the atmosphere is magical. Kendwa's sunsets are arguably even more spectacular than Nungwi's due to the quieter, more intimate setting.
Full Moon Beach Parties
Kendwa is famous throughout Zanzibar for its full moon beach parties — monthly events held on the beach at Kendwa Rocks hotel, with live music, DJs, fire dancers and hundreds of revellers from across the island. The parties start at sunset and continue until the early hours. They are the most famous beach parties in East Africa and attract visitors from across Tanzania and beyond.
The Beach
Kendwa's beach is one of the finest in Zanzibar — powder-white sand, turquoise water and, like Nungwi, no significant tidal retreat (the water stays swimmable at all times). The beach is quieter and less developed than Nungwi, with a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere. The sand is clean and the water is warm year-round.
Boutique Beach Hotels
Kendwa has a small but excellent selection of boutique beach hotels and guesthouses — more intimate and characterful than the larger resorts of Nungwi. Kendwa Rocks (the original and most famous hotel, home of the full moon parties), La Gemma dell'Est and Sunset Kendwa are all excellent. The hotels are right on the beach with extraordinary views.
Snorkelling & Diving
Kendwa has excellent snorkelling and diving — the coral reefs off the northwest coast are excellent, with good visibility and abundant marine life. The Mnemba Atoll (45 minutes by boat) is the finest dive site in Zanzibar. Dive centres at Kendwa offer PADI courses and guided dives. The snorkelling directly off the beach is good for beginners.
Dhow Cruises
Dhow cruises from Kendwa are excellent — traditional wooden sailing dhows sail along the northwest coast with snorkelling stops and a fresh seafood lunch or dinner on board. The sunset dhow cruise from Kendwa is particularly romantic. Most hotels can arrange dhow cruises; they cost approximately £25–35 per person.
Walking to Nungwi
Kendwa and Nungwi are connected by a short walk along the beach (approximately 20–30 minutes at low tide) or a short dala-dala or taxi ride. Many visitors stay in the quieter Kendwa but walk to Nungwi for the turtle sanctuary, the fish market and the wider range of restaurants and bars. The combination of both villages makes for an excellent Zanzibar experience.
Fresh Seafood & Beach Bars
Kendwa has excellent fresh seafood restaurants and beach bars — grilled lobster, prawns, octopus and fresh fish at very reasonable prices. The beach bars serve cold Kilimanjaro beer and fresh coconut cocktails. The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried — Kendwa is the place to come if you want to slow down and enjoy the beach without the bustle of Nungwi.
Explore Kendwa on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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