Matemwe Zanzibar Holidays
Matemwe
Holidays
Zanzibar's most exclusive beach — a remote, unspoilt stretch of white sand with luxury lodges and the gateway to Mnemba Atoll
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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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Matemwe Holiday Guide
Matemwe is Zanzibar's most exclusive and unspoilt beach destination — a remote, beautiful stretch of white sand on the northeast coast, the closest point to Mnemba Atoll (the finest dive site in Zanzibar) and the base for the legendary &Beyond Mnemba Island lodge.
The diving at Mnemba Atoll is extraordinary — pristine coral, turtles, dolphins, whale sharks and some of the finest marine life in the Indian Ocean. Matemwe Lodge and &Beyond Mnemba Island are the finest beach accommodations in Zanzibar.
The beach is unspoilt and natural — quieter and more authentic than Nungwi, with traditional fishing villages and turtle nesting beaches. Dolphins are frequently seen in the waters off Matemwe.
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 Matemwe
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 us or send an enquiry and we'll find you the best deal across Travelpack and JTA Holidays.
Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Matemwe
The diving, unspoilt beaches and exclusive lodges that make Matemwe Zanzibar's most remote and rewarding destination for discerning travellers.
Mnemba Atoll — Best Diving in Zanzibar
Mnemba Atoll, a 45-minute boat ride from Matemwe, is the finest dive site in Zanzibar — a pristine coral atoll with extraordinary visibility, abundant marine life (turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, rays, barracuda and hundreds of species of reef fish) and some of the most beautiful coral gardens in the Indian Ocean. The atoll is a marine protected area. Matemwe is the closest point on the main island to Mnemba.
&Beyond Mnemba Island
&Beyond Mnemba Island is one of the most exclusive and celebrated beach lodges in Africa — a tiny private island just off Matemwe with 12 bandas (beach cottages) set directly on the beach, extraordinary food, world-class diving and the most attentive service in East Africa. The lodge is the finest beach accommodation in Zanzibar and one of the great beach resorts of the world.
Unspoilt Beach
Matemwe beach is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt on Zanzibar — a long stretch of white sand backed by coconut palms and traditional fishing villages, with very little development. The beach is quieter and more natural than Nungwi, with a more authentic local character. The tidal range is significant on the east coast — the best swimming is at high tide.
Snorkelling with Dolphins
Dolphins are frequently seen in the waters off Matemwe — spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are common. Boat trips from Matemwe offer snorkelling with dolphins (the dolphins swim alongside the boat and in the water with snorkellers). The experience is more natural and less crowded than the dolphin tours at Kizimkazi. The snorkelling at the reef off Matemwe is also excellent.
Traditional Fishing Villages
Matemwe is surrounded by traditional Swahili fishing villages — communities that have lived on the northeast coast for generations, fishing with traditional wooden dhows and farming seaweed in the lagoon. The villages are welcoming and authentic. Walking through the villages in the early morning, when the fishing boats return and the women tend their seaweed farms, is one of the most rewarding experiences in Zanzibar.
Turtle Nesting Beach
Matemwe beach is one of the most important turtle nesting beaches in Zanzibar — green and hawksbill turtles nest on the beach between October and February. The local community has established a turtle conservation programme. Visitors can join night walks to observe nesting turtles (with a guide, to minimise disturbance). The experience is extraordinary.
Luxury Lodges
Matemwe has the finest luxury lodges on Zanzibar's northeast coast — Matemwe Lodge (the original and most established), Matemwe Retreat and several boutique properties. The lodges are set directly on the beach with extraordinary views of Mnemba Atoll. The combination of unspoilt beach, world-class diving and excellent accommodation makes Matemwe the finest destination in Zanzibar for discerning travellers.
Fresh Seafood & Local Food
Matemwe has excellent fresh seafood — the fishing community provides a daily supply of fresh fish, lobster, crab and octopus. The lodge restaurants serve extraordinary food using local ingredients. The local Zanzibari restaurants in the nearby villages serve excellent pilau rice, coconut fish curry and biryani at very low prices. The combination of luxury lodge dining and local village food is excellent.
Explore Matemwe on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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