Islands Off The Map: Zanzibar’s Hidden Escapes

Just off Zanzibar, there are smaller islands that don’t see nearly as many visitors. They’re quieter, with clear water, coral reefs close to shore, and long empty beaches. It’s a different pace completely—good for snorkelling, diving, or just spending time by the sea without much around. Here’s a look at a few of these lesser-known islands, each offering a more low-key side of the coast. Visitors should approach the islands with respect, as they have a largely untouched environment and local way of life. Do not go in as a typical tourist.

Mnemba

Mnemba Island sits just off Zanzibar’s northeast coast and feels far quieter than the mainland beaches. Known for its coral reefs, turquoise water, and private setting, the island is part of a protected marine conservation area. While most people visit on short boat trips, a small number stay overnight in its exclusive beachfront bandas.

Things to do

• Water sports & outdoor activities: Go snorkelling or scuba diving in the protected reef waters, try kayaking and windsurfing along the coastline, or swim straight from the beach in clear, shallow sea.

• Relaxation & island atmosphere: Spend time on quiet white-sand beaches, enjoy the island’s laid-back barefoot setting, and take boat trips around the surrounding marine reserve.

Know before you go

• Getting there: Reach the island by a short 10–15 minute boat ride from Matemwe on Zanzibar’s northeast coast. Most visitors arrive as part of guided day trips.

• Accommodation & access: Stay in one of just 12 private thatched bandas managed by &Beyond. Access to the island itself is largely restricted to overnight guests.

• Best time to visit & costs: Visit between July and August for the best diving visibility, or travel from April to August during turtle nesting season. Rates typically start from around USD 1,650 per person per night, excluding additional conservation fees.

Pemba

Pemba Island offers a quieter, greener side of the Zanzibar Archipelago. Known as “The Green Island”, it’s covered in dense vegetation, spice farms, and mangrove forests, with far fewer visitors than neighbouring Zanzibar. The island is especially known for its diving, remote beaches, and strong Swahili-Arab heritage, making it a good fit for travellers looking for a slower and more nature-focused coastal escape.

Things to do

• Diving & snorkelling: Explore dramatic coral reefs and deep drop-offs at sites such as Fundu Lagoon and Njao Gap, widely considered among the best diving spots in East Africa. You can also snorkel around the protected waters of Misali Island.

• Nature & wildlife: Visit Ngezi Forest Reserve to spot Pemba flying foxes and vervet monkeys, walk through mangrove forests, and spend time on quieter beaches such as Vumawimbi.

• Culture & local experiences: Take spice tours through clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg plantations, explore the town of Chake Chake, and visit ancient ruins that reflect the island’s Swahili and Arab influences.

Know before you go

• Getting there: Pemba is part of Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago and can be reached by domestic flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar’s Stone Town into Chake Chake Airport.

• Where to stay: Accommodation is more limited and low-key than in Zanzibar, though there are a handful of upscale eco-lodges including Fundu Lagoon and The Manta Resort.

• Best time to visit: Travel during the dry seasons from July to October or December to February for the best diving conditions and beach weather.

• Getting around: Taxis are available, though hiring a 4x4 or joining guided tours is often the easiest way to explore the island due to limited infrastructure.

Tumbatu

Tumbatu Island offers one of the most secluded experiences in the Zanzibar Archipelago. Lying just off the northwest coast of Unguja, the island is known for its conservative local culture, coral reefs, and limited outside access. Life here moves at a slow pace, with no cars, very little infrastructure, and communities that have preserved traditional ways of living for generations.

Things to do

• Snorkelling & diving: Explore shallow coral gardens and dive sites around Shetani, Popobawa, and Mwana, known for clear waters and vibrant marine life. Many visitors also take boat trips to nearby sandbanks for swimming and snorkelling.

• History & heritage: Visit the Jongowe ruins, where some of the region’s earliest Swahili stone structures date back to the 11th century. You can also see the island’s old lighthouse and traces of its Shirazi heritage.

• Island life & local culture: Walk or cycle through quiet villages, observe traditional fishing communities, and experience a side of Zanzibar that has remained largely unchanged by mass tourism.

Know before you go

• Access & permissions: Tumbatu is considered a restricted island, and deeper visits often require permission from local elders. Most travellers experience it through organised boat trips from Mkokotoni near Nungwi.

• Local customs: Dress modestly and respect local traditions, as the island’s communities are known to be conservative and closely protective of their culture.

• Infrastructure: There are no hotels, restaurants, or cars on the island, and mobile connectivity is limited. Walking and bicycles are the main forms of transport.

Uzi

Uzi Island offers a quieter and more rural side of Zanzibar, far removed from the busy beach resorts. Located in the south of Unguja, the island is known for its mangrove forests, traditional fishing villages, and slow pace of life. What makes it especially unusual is its access route — a narrow coral road through the mangroves that only appears during low tide.

Things to do

• Cultural experiences: Explore traditional villages with local guides, visit homes and workshops in places such as Muyuni, and get a closer look at everyday Swahili life away from Zanzibar’s main tourist areas.

• Nature & eco-tourism: Walk through mangrove forests, spot baobab trees along the coastline, and visit the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre to see native butterfly species in a tropical garden setting.

• Water activities & wildlife: Kayak through the mangroves, take traditional dhow boat rides, and look out for dolphins, sea eagles, and marine turtles within the Menai Bay Conservation Area. You can also try fresh seafood and local Swahili dishes during guided visits.

Know before you go

• Getting there: Uzi Island is connected to Unguja by a 2km coral causeway that is only usable during low tide, often referred to locally as “Moses Road”.

• Accommodation & tourism: The island remains largely untouched by mass tourism, with no major resorts, luxury hotels, or nightlife scene. Most visitors arrive on organised day tours.

• Best time to visit: The dry season from June to October generally offers the most comfortable weather for walking, kayaking, and outdoor activities.

• What to bring: Carry sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable walking shoes, especially if exploring mangrove areas and village paths.

Bawe

Part of the Songo Songo Archipelago south of Dar es Salaam, the small private island is built around the idea of low-impact travel, with solar-powered villas, minimal infrastructure, and a strong focus on conservation. It’s the sort of place best suited to travellers looking for complete quiet and a closer connection to the surrounding marine environment, rather than a packed resort-style holiday.

Things to do

• Marine life experiences: Spot spinner dolphins in the surrounding waters, look out for humpback whales during the migration season, and see green turtles along the shoreline and reef areas.

• Water activities: Go snorkelling or diving across untouched coral reefs, take kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding trips around the island, or join a traditional dhow sailing excursion at sunset.

• Island experiences: Climb the restored 19th-century lighthouse for sea views, walk along quiet white-sand beaches, and enjoy the island’s stripped-back barefoot luxury atmosphere.

Know before you go

• Getting there: You fly from Dar es Salaam to Songo Songo Island, then take a short boat ride to Fanjove. It’s straightforward, but the feeling of isolation builds as soon as you leave the mainland.

• Where to stay: There are only a few eco-friendly bandas at LABA Fanjove Island, kept simple and low-impact, with open-air spaces and a close connection to the surroundings.

• Sustainability: The island is mostly solar-powered and uses rainwater collection and desalination. The idea is minimal impact, so guests are expected to be mindful of resources and the natural environment.

FAQs

How can I travel without harming these fragile islands?
Choose low-impact, small-group eco-tours that are designed to minimise pressure on marine ecosystems and natural habitats.

What kind of accommodation should I look for?
Stay in eco-conscious or community-based lodges that manage waste properly and avoid polluting the surrounding environment.

Is there anything I should avoid doing in the water?
Yes — never touch or stand on coral reefs, as even small contact can damage these fragile ecosystems.

What sunscreen should I use?
Use reef-safe sunscreen only, as regular formulas can harm coral and marine life in protected waters.

How can I make sure my visit benefits local communities?
Book activities with local, eco-certified guides, especially for snorkelling or mangrove kayaking, so tourism income supports conservation and residents.