Imagine being on the spice island of Zanzibar, cocktails in hand, and you watch from the verandah of your romantic thatched beach cottage as the sun dips into the Indian Ocean. Spend your Zanzibar holidays on sandy beaches, swimming or snorkelling over colourful coral reefs, savouring the extensive spice gardens, or exploring the narrow alleyways of Stone Town. Zanzibar is exotic and magical - don't miss it.
The main beach areas are the North and East, with the north coast being less tidal. The North East coast is close to atolls for diving and snorkelling and offers long walks along the beach further down the East of the island. One of the favoured quieter parts of the island lies to the south of the airport around Fumba which looks out on the protected Menai Bay area which is good for wildlife. To the west of that area, Chumbe Marine Park surrounds a small island with an eco-lodge where you can snorkel right from the shore.
Stone Town itself is a cosmopolitan mix of nationalities with influence from its Arabic and Indian origins with fascinating buildings and wood carved doors. Loose yourself in the maze of alleyways and markets and enjoy the sights and sounds of the town and sample the variety of restaurants with the masses of seafood and spices to touch your senses!
Dress code is important in this mainly Muslim society. Wear loose fitting non-transparent clothing and do not expose your body. Do not wear bathing costumes, shorts or other revealing clothes in Stone Town or in the villages, only on the beaches.
Lying in the tropics, Zanzibar has warm weather most of the year but it can be unpredicatable. December to March is usually hot and dry with the northeast monsoon blowing. June to October is coolest and most dry and two periods of rain fall March to May and again October to November.
There are many optional excursions and activities to be enjoyed around Zanzibar. Most visitors enjoy a Spice Tour, where you are taken to small farms inland where they grow cloves, vanilla, nutmetg, cardomon and many other spices and fruits. The tour includes some of the historic sites such as the Persian Baths built by the first Sultan of Zanzibar.
On Prison Island you can see the giant land tortoises and swim, sunbathe and snorkel at the site of the old jail built in 1893 used by an Arab for confining slaves.
Jozani Forest, located fairly centrally on the island is home to the endearing Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkeys and you can walk in the natural forest on nature trails and boardwalks, viewing many different plants and trees, birds and a few mammals.
Dolphins are often seen around the Zanzibar coast and boat trips can be booked to go out from Kizimakazi (the old capital of the island) where you can see traces of the old Shirazi settlement and an ancient mosque.
Excursions around the smaller islands, fishing villages and to meet the people of Zanzibar can also be arranged.