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

Who runs the region

Local & official

Administration

Regional capital: Koani
Districts: Kati (Central, seat Koani), Kusini (South, seat Makunduchi)
Regional Commissioner: Office of the Regional Commissioner, Unguja South, Koani

Useful contacts

Tourist Police: Zanzibar Tourist Police, Paje/Stone Town
Zanzibar Commission for Tourism: Livingstone House, Stone Town
National emergency: 112