Matemwe-Beach

Matemwe Zanzibar

Matemwe Zanzibar is a village on the north-eastern coast of Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, between Mwangaseni and Kigomani. Its economy is mostly based on seaweed farming and fishing.

How to get here:

  • Fly: Take a 20-minute flight from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, a 2-hour flight from Arusha, or flights to Zanzibar from other destinations via Dar es Salaam.
  • Drive: Transfers from Zanzibar Airport to Matemwe takes about 1 hour 30-minutes. You can also hire a car in Stone Town for the trip to Matemwe.

Main Attractions

Matemwe Beach

Matemwe Beach is a peaceful place to relax and unwind on the swanky tropical island of Zanzibar. Fringed with palm trees, the white sand beach is perfect for soaking up the sun while you sip on cocktails. There are several activities to enjoy on Matemwe Beach including fishing, diving, and snorkeling.

Mnemba Atoll

Mnemba Atoll is located off the coast, and it’s a great place to dive and snorkel. It features amazing coral reefs that offer beautiful sightings of dolphins, turtles, and colorful reef fish. You will also have an opportunity to see humpback whales as they migrate between July and November.

Stone Town

Wander the narrow alleyways of Stone Town and get lost in its streets while you admire the magnificent architecture, the intricately carved doors, drink coffee at the quaint shops, and buy some local crafts at the market. The Old Town is the capital of Zanzibar, and it’s a great place to explore if you want to get a glimpse of the local culture and learn the ways of the Zanzibaris.

Flight to Matemwe Zanzibar with Tripsbetter.

Information for visitors

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Overview

  • Time zone: UTC / GMT +3
  • Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TSh, often written as =/)
  • Driving: left-hand side of the road
  • Power Outlets: 220V-240V 50Hz. Plug types are ‘Type D & G (British)’
  • Closest (air)ports: Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), 6 km from Stone Town, full name Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and the ferry terminal for the ferries from Dar es Salaam and to Pemba.
  • WIFI and internet widely available but do not expect uninterrupted service.
  • Many banks, ATMs, and Foreign Exchange offices

Best Time To Visit

Zanzibar has a tropical climate and can be visited year-round. But for a sunny experience, it is best to avoid the rainy seasons from mid-March to the end of May and  then the ‘short rains’ November.

If you visit Zanzibar specifically for diving, it is good to know the diving on the north coast is excellent from June to October, and the south coast is best between November and March.

Popular Activities

  • Snorkelling
  • Diving
  • Quad Adventure
  • Spice Plantation Tours
  • Stone Town Tours