WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ….
The beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, where the locals lead a simple way of life, unchanged over the years. There are more than 25 superb beaches in Zanzibar some being so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean.
The best beaches on Zanzibar Island are to the North and East, where the sun shines on luminescent clear waters in a range of striking turquoise blues, and the sand is clean and bright and fine. This is not to say that other areas have poor beaches as the whole of Zanzibar is surrounded by a rich coral reef, which protects the shoreline and also results in wide flat shallows that are invariably subject to tidal extremes.
The Northern peninsula of Zanzibar is truly beautiful and for anyone who has a passion for beaches it has all the elements of a true paradise and ocean swimming is less susceptible to the tides. At high tide the beaches of Zanzibar, particulary on the East Coast where the majority of tourist hotels are situated are spectacular and it is at high tide that most of the publicity photographs are taken. At low tide the scene is very different due to the large tidal variations and the fringing coral reef which, in some locations, may be two kilometers offshore.One can walk out along the seabed at low tide for up to a kilometer before the lagoon deepens again. Here you will find fishermen hunting for squid and octopus as well as the locals farming for seaweed, one of Zanzibar’s less known exports. The local women can also be seen walking out to bury coconut husks under the sand which is done to soften the husk fibres which are ultimately made into twine which is used extensively in local buildings and the making of local crafts.
There are advantages to this low tide topography :
• Very few sea Urchins
• No Strong Currents at High Tide
• Swimming can still be enjoyed at least 6 hrs per 24hrs
• Most hotels have a swimming pool
• Exercise walking out to the reefs
• Interaction with the locals
• More time at the bar
• Unusual photo opportunities
On the west coast, Mangapwani beach is well worth a visit, a true paradise with local fishing boats afloat in the warm shallow waters. There is the opportunity to stay for the day and enjoy the facilities of the Mangapwani Beach Club and Restaurant.
To find out more information on Zanzibar Tides and Predictions visit : www.mobilegeographics.com:81/locations/7156.html
