Is Paje good for learning to kitesurf?

Yes, its flat, waist-deep lagoon and steady trade winds make it one of the best places in the world to learn, with many IKO-certified schools on the beach.

Will I definitely see the red colobus at Jozani?

Sightings are almost guaranteed, as habituated troops feed near the boardwalks; guides ask visitors to keep a few metres away to protect the endemic monkeys.

Does the tide affect the east-coast beaches?

Yes, the southeast coast has a large tidal range, so the sea retreats far out at low tide; this is ideal for kitesurfing but means swimming is tide-dependent.

How do I visit The Rock Restaurant?

It sits on a coral rock off Michamvi; at low tide you can walk out, and at high tide the restaurant sends a short boat, but booking ahead is essential.

Destination guide

East Zanzibar

Kitesurfing lagoons, seaweed farms and Zanzibar's last red colobus forest

What's happening

Events & festivals

July (annual)

Mwaka Kogwa

A Shirazi New Year festival centred on nearby Makunduchi, featuring ritual mock fighting, singing and a symbolic burning hut.

Jun-Sep and Dec-Feb

Kitesurfing season

The windy months when Paje fills with kiters and schools run back-to-back lessons and freestyle sessions.

Varies (Islamic calendar)

Eid al-Fitr

The joyful end of Ramadan, celebrated in the coastal villages with feasting, new clothes and family gatherings.

Varies (Islamic calendar)

Maulid

Celebrations marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, observed with recitations and processions along the coast.