Pristine and Paradisal Beaches of Zanzibar

The Zanzibar archipelago in the Indian Ocean is a haven for visitors seeking to chill out on white, sandy beaches far away from the noise and hustle of more popular beachfronts.

Formally part of the Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar enjoys a reasonable degree of autonomy. Its capital is Zanzibar City and the two main islands are Unguja and Pemba. The old part of Zanzibar City is also known as the Stone City and has many remarkable architectural examples of Arab, Indian, European and African traditions. The Stone City figures on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

However the beaches of Zanzibar are the prime attraction of tourists in these islands. Zanzibar has miles of unspoilt white beaches broken by quaint fishing villages. There are around 25 prime beach locations where the silver sands are lapped by azure waters of the Indian Ocean. On the eastern side are beaches like Matemwe, Kiwengwa, and Pwani Machangani while on the western coast the most popular is the Mangapwani beach. On many of these beaches it is so quiet that the only sound is that of the waves washing up on the shore.

Visitors to Zanzibar can stay in hotels in the city or put up at several resorts near the beaches. Check out www.ooaha.com for best Zanzibar hotel deals.