Zanzibar

Best Beaches of Zanzibar

When most Americans hear the word Zanzibar, they think Spice Island, that tropical paradise east of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It appears today as it did more than a century ago when famed missionary/explorer Dr. David Livingstone lived just before his last safari into deepest, darkest Africa.

Narrow street in Stone Town, ZanzibarAs a matter of fact, you can walk down the streets and alleys of Stone Town, a world heritage site, and feel as if you're in an old movie. Zanzibar is an island only 50 miles long, but full of variety. For instance, you can visit the ruins of the palaces created with "spice" wealth for the Sultans of Oman.

Red Colobus monkey in Jozani Forest, ZanzibarOnce the eastern gateway to Africa, Zanzibar is home to the enchanted Jozani Forest, where curious red colobus monkeys are found. At Nungwi, on the northern shore, you can see boat builders, hewing out the same designs handed down to them centuries ago.

Boat building in Nungwi, ZanzibarAnd, of course, miles and miles of the best beaches in this part of the world. The majority are along the East Coast, where the quaint fishing villages dot the landscape. The big secret hasn't been told to the major resorts. You'll find one or two along this Island paradise.

Nungwi Beach, ZanzibarThe very best beaches of Zanzibar lie along the east coast and Nungwi, near the northern tip of the island. A great runner-up is the enchanting Mangapwani Beach located on the west coast.

There are more than 30 beaches in Zanzibar with some of them so isolated, time has literally stood still. Waves lapping these brilliant shores for eons have hewn such an artistic pattern of natural beauty, we're kind of glad they're not that close to civilization.
Turtle at Mnemba Atoll, ZanzibarOkay, so if the beaches are so unattainable, but they're spectacular - what should we expect when we visit?

Zanzibar's coastline is mainly a shallow slope allowing lush coral build-ups and providing a natural home for thousands of marine animals. Because of its location, Zanzibar enjoys warm currents almost year-round. Perfect for spawning, you'll see a wealth of life just beneath the surface.

Bungalow beach side in Nungwi, ZanzibarThe northeast coast is where you'll find the unspoiled beaches of Matemwe. Nearby is the grand Mnemba Atoll, a prime dive site known world wide. Of course, snorkeling is unparalleled along the rock outcroppings of Zanzibars many beaches. Bring that underwater camera. Check out our extra report on Mnemba Island and Atoll. It's out of this world!

Sunset along Matemwe Beach, ZanzibarZanzibar's climate is equatorial. Days are filled with sun, but some heavy rainfall occurs during April and May. Best months to visit are from July through March, with February and March the warmest months.

Mauritius

The Beaches of Mauritius
One of the most exotic beach destinations we've reviewed is Mauritius. Sometimes, maybe what makes these places so attractive is that they are so hard to get to.It's like digging for gold. When you do find it, it is a pleasure not many have experienced. So we invite you to take a few minutes and see the pictures and videos of one of our favorite spots on earth. You will be delighted and intrigued by what may be your next vacation destination.

Just north of the Tropic of Capricorn lies the island country of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It's actually a few islands; a main island and three other islands, and about 22 largely uninhabited islands.

Ile Aux Benitiers Beach, MauritiusMark Twain, who visited the island in 1896, so impressed by its beauty, said, "God first made Mauritius and from it, He created Paradise. Mauritius is striking because it once was a volcano. Extinct for some 100,000 years, you have peaks and rock strutting right down into the sea. And, as if icing on the wondrous landscape, a coral reef surrounds the islands.

The Dodo bird, a large, flightless critter, once lived here. When the Dutch arrived around 1600, they killed off most of them. Their pets killed the rest and they were extinct by 1681. Yes, the Dutch sailors might have eaten a few, but it was actually something else that did them in.

In the 17th century, the Dutch cut down most of the ebony trees and sold them in Europe. This was home and food source for the Dodo bird. Along with the animals brought from the ships; rats, cats, dogs, pigs... these destroyed most of the nests. The Dutch did bring one thing you may see while you're on Mauritius: deer. The Sambhar Deer is actually a protected species. For pictures of deer and their habitat, we'll post more pictures of Mauritius Sambhar shortly.

Sunset on the Beaches of MauritiusYou're here for the beaches, and we have a total of 13. If you're anxious to go, know that December to April are generally hot and humid. June to November are the cooler, drier months. A cyclone could arrive during the warm season.