Nungwi is the most popular beach in Zanzibar. There are tourist all year round and most businesses stay open through low season. Most parts of Zanzibar have all inclusive hotels, restraining you to stay within the hotel and it’s beach. Nungwi is different!! staying in Nungwi gives you the ability to try different restaurants, bars, beaches, activities, etc…
Chose a hotel close to the main beach where everything happens or Stay in Ras Nungwi, 5 minutes away, if you are looking for an isolated, romantic place to pass your time alone with your lover. For the divers, Nungwi has the widest range of dive site and the best diving on Zanzibar without any doubts.
Spanish Dancer Divers have the pleasure to bring you our personal recommendation for Nungwi, so you can have the best vacation possible.
Restaurants
Most restaurants close their kitchen around 21:30. An average dish around Nungwi will cost in most places $7-$15.
Le Macis– Located inside Atii Garden Bubgalows, Le Macis is the hottest restaurants in Nungwi these days with a talented French chef. Offering a variety of fusion dishes and tapas in a beautiful tropical garden.
Decent prices and great atmosphere.
Langi Langi– One of the best restaurant in Nungwi offering great atmosphere and delicious food in reasonable prices. Specialized on spicy Indonesian cuisine. Best plates are fish and seafood in Curry or Masala. Great place for romantic dinner. This place is a must!!
Nungwi Inn– Offers pasta, pizza, burgers, fish, etc… Good place to have lunch on the beach. At nights, for groups, they offer a good seafood BBQ for a decent prices.
Baraka Bungalow– Offers a great fish and seafood grill with rice and vegetables for dinner. Very cheap and tasty. Tables are on the beach, fish and sea food are on display for you to choose. Great choice for dinner.
Mama Mia– If you fancy a pizza, they make the best one in Nungwi. As well as many other Italian dishes.
Local food– Right beside the village supermarket you’ll find Chef Bakery. Serving great local food, tasty, clean and good quality. Most customers are actually tourists. From 7,000ts a plate.
Bars
Mangi’s Beach Bar– Best bar in Nungwi. This is where you’ll find all of Nungwi’s expats. Great place for sunset beer. The place to watch European football league. Spontaneous parties happen very often and Mangi will stay open until the last man leaves. By far, the most popular bar in Nungwi. And this is the place to find us at nights 😉
Gerry’s Bar– Small cozy bar with great atmosphere, music and drinks. It is located by the Hilton hotel, away from the main beach, which makes it less crowded. The bar offers very good South African style cooking.
Cholo’s Bar– Use to be Zanzibar most famous bar. At Thursday nights party it is full and can be nice. Other days there is not too much going on.
Kendwa Rocks– If you are looking for a crowded party this is the place. Every Saturday from 22:00 until the morning. It is located in Kendwa Beach. Taxi cost 10,000tzs each way and entrance is 20,000tzs.
Attractions
The fish market– The local fishermen leave for their night of fishing out around 4pm everyday, dotting the horizon with tens of dhows and their white-sails. Its just a gorgeous moment that you’ll want to make sure you have your camera for.
The next morning at around 6.30 to 7am, the fisherman are back with their catch of all shapes and sizes. See fish and sea creatures you have never seen before on the market ready for sale. Watch as the locals bid for the best catch, or if you feel like cooking, try to snag a tuna or snapper for grilling.
Dhow Building– Next to the fish market you can see the local craftsmen building the dhows. Watch the techniques that have been used for decades and centuries.
Sunset cruises– Everyday at around 16:30 to 18:30 you can enjoy a sunset cruise organised locally with some snorkeling trips. The local guys will entertain you with some drums and songs. It’s the perfect way to finish your day.
Turtle Aquarium– $5 entrance fee. The Mnarani Aquarium offers a chance for the non divers to see and feed turtles.
The turtles swim in a natural coral pool. Supposedly, turtle that are injured or caught by fishing nets are brought here by local fisherman to rehabilitate. Once a year some of the turtles are released back into the sea. We are in doubts regarding how this business helps conserving Zanzibar’s turtles. Unfortunately, many healthy turtles are brought to the aquarium and kept in those pools for long periods of time for business reasons mainly.
Nungwi Village– Nungwi is a small village that you can walk around and locals are used to seeing many tourist everyday. Buy some fruit, painting and souvenir from the local shops in the village main road. Please be advised that when going to the village you should keep your shoulders and knees covered to respect the local culture.
Volleyball– Every day at the beach of Nungwi Inn Hotel around 17:00. Locals and tourist are playing till sunset. Everyone welcome.
