Before you book (October 2026): Washington’s Tanzania rating is Level 3, Reconsider Travel, citing crime, terrorism and civil unrest; read the current wording at travel.state.gov . London separates Zanzibar from the mainland and singles out only the Mozambique frontier, though its pages describe crimes at island beaches and resorts and past election violence in Zanzibar. Travellers should read the UK safety page and allow for sudden changes such as ferry suspensions.

Kendwa Activity Guide for 2026

Kendwa packs its activities into one stretch of sand on the north-west coast of Unguja. Five of them are worth planning around, listed here in the order most visitors try them.

1. The beach itself

Free to enter and open to all, the bay is the main attraction. Swimming works here whatever the tide is doing, as the tidal range is small, though not nil. Lifeguards are not something to count on. Beach hotels set out loungers for guests and for anyone who eats or drinks with them.

2. Diving with a PADI centre

Two PADI 5-Star operators serve this coast. Scuba Do Zanzibar has two dive bases on Kendwa Beach and takes divers to reefs near Kendwa, to Tumbatu and to Mnemba. Spanish Dancer Divers, based at Nungwi Beach Hotel, covers Mnemba, Leven Bank and Tumbatu. The Scuba Do price list, undated, gives US$575 for the Open Water course, US$365 for Scuba Diver and US$110 for Discover Scuba. Other operators advertise courses at around US$500. Confirm all figures directly. Compare diving trips

3. A boat day to Mnemba or Tumbatu

Swimmers and snorkellers get better reef from a boat than from the shore at Kendwa, where the coral is small and damaged. At Mnemba the island is off limits, so everyone stays aboard or in the water. Non-East-African visitors pay US$10 (adult) and US$5 (child 5 to 15) for the conservation area, or US$25 and US$10 for the Special Area. When comparing quotes, check whether those charges are in the price.

4. The monthly full moon party

Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel hosts it. The date is a Saturday around the full moon, which is why you should look up the exact night. Upcoming 2026 nights are 21 November, 25 December and 31 December. Tickets start at about TZS 32,000 but are charged in US dollars, and an afterparty can be added. Children can attend only until midnight. Outside drinks are banned. Visit kendwarocks.com for the hotel.

5. A sunset dhow sail

A wooden dhow runs out along the coast in the evening. Ask the hotel desk about price, departure time and the policy for children.

If you only have two days

• Day one: morning on the sand, an afternoon dive or snorkel booking, sunset from the beach.
• Day two: a Mnemba boat trip, then dinner at your hotel.

What Kendwa does not have

Kitesurfers should know that Kendwa’s breeze is too light and patchy to rely on. The schools sit at Paje and Jambiani on the east coast and at Nungwi Kite Beach. Museums and craft studios are also absent.

Costs and rules

• Visitors to Zanzibar must hold the island’s own insurance, a US$44 per adult policy covering up to 92 days, sold at visitzanzibar.go.tz .
• The shilling is the local currency. Dollars work in most places, and notes should be recent and in good condition.
• Clothing that the authorities regard as unsuitable can bring a fine from US$700. Cover shoulders and knees away from the beach.

Read more: Day trips from Kendwa and the wider Zanzibar guide .

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