Tours to Matemwe
- Need a visa
Arguably the most peaceful and comfortable beach in Zanzibar is found at the Matemwe resort. Immerse yourself in a paradise-like escape by the warm sea, unwind in the spa, and take a stroll through a tropical garden. You’ll experience a wave of new emotions and relax so thoroughly that you won’t need a vacation after your vacation!
- Relax on the beach
- Relax at the spa
- Take a walk in the park
Hotels of Matemwe
Interesting in Matemwe
- Swahili language
Matemwe Beach is located on the northeastern coast of Zanzibar. It’s an ideal destination for peaceful relaxation, meditation, and sunbathing, but it's not particularly suitable for active swimming.
Most visitors here are families with children, couples, and honeymooners who enjoy gazing at the calm sea and tropical vegetation — for whom swimming isn’t a priority.
Features
Matemwe Beach stretches along a 5-kilometer coastal strip. It's a long expanse of white sand scattered with seaweed and marine life left behind by the tide.
The sandy beach is about 40 meters wide and rarely crowded. You can easily find a spot where there’s no one else within a kilometer.
Tropical greenery begins just behind the beach, offering shaded spots and beautiful locations for photo sessions.
Strong tides are common here, with the ocean retreating up to 2 kilometers during low tide. This makes it inconvenient for swimmers, who must adapt to the tide schedule. For this reason, there are no hotels without pools nearby — guests need an alternative to the ocean.
During low tide, the beach is scattered with starfish, sea urchins, octopuses, and crabs, which locals collect and sell.
Hotel staff typically clean the beach and water near the hotels from sea urchins and seaweed, but outside hotel areas, it’s unsafe to enter the water without rubber shoes.
Infrastructure
There’s very little infrastructure here aside from hotel areas. Hotels offer loungers and umbrellas; beyond their boundaries, you’ll find a few local eateries. Most hotels allow non-guests to access their bars and restaurants.
The neighboring Pwani Beach offers better conditions, but it’s over a kilometer walk along the coast.
Most visitors arrive by bus and stay until sunset. After dark, everyone leaves. There are no beach parties.
Where to Stay
Matemwe is not a mainstream tourist destination. There are only a handful of small hotels and villas located directly on the beach. All offer well-equipped rooms, lush grounds, and ocean views from the windows.
Things to Do
The main beach activity is collecting marine life left behind by the tide.
For a change of scenery, you can visit Stone Town — a city with unique architecture. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you’ll find churches that resemble mosques and authentic colonial-style mansions.
Mangapwani Caves are both a natural and historical attraction. During the height of the slave trade, slaves were hidden here.
Take a trip to Prison Island for diving — something unavailable at Matemwe. The island is home to giant sea turtles, some over 100 years old.
Jozani Forest is perfect for nature walks. It’s a true jungle with hundreds of bird species and rare animals. It’s the only place where you can see endangered red colobus monkeys.
Zanzibar is famous for its fragrant spices. A visit to a spice plantation offers insight into how spices are grown, harvested, processed, and used in local cuisine and traditional medicine.