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Home / Beaches / Kizimkazi Beach

Kizimkazi Beach

Пляж Кизимкази
Tanzania · Beach · Zanzibar City
crystal clear
Best month: June

Best for

Ideal for travellers seeking a secluded beach with the opportunity to swim with dolphins and explore history — the 12th-century mosque is located here. Not suitable for those seeking an organised resort holiday with full infrastructure.

Best month

June

Water
+28.0°C
Length
500 m
Kizimkazi Beach is a beach on Zanzibar's south coast, known for its dolphin safaris. It features calm water and scenic views, popular for dolphin watching and swimming. The oldest mosque in East Africa is located here.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Kizimkazi Beach is a beach on Zanzibar's south coast, known for its dolphin safaris. It features calm water and scenic views, popular for dolphin watching and swimming. The oldest mosque in East Africa is located here.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Swimming with dolphins
  • White sand
  • Secluded atmosphere
  • 12th-century mosque (Dimbani Mosque)
  • Fewer tourists than other beaches
  • Authentic village
  • Snorkelling opportunities

Cons

  • No organised beach
  • Tides can be strong
  • Limited infrastructure
  • Conservative Muslim village — dress modestly
  • No lifeguards
  • Few hotels
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for travellers seeking a secluded beach with the opportunity to swim with dolphins and explore history — the 12th-century mosque is located here. Not suitable for those seeking an organised resort holiday with full infrastructure.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Swimming with dolphins — bottlenose dolphins are resident year-round, while humpback dolphins appear seasonally. The 12th-century Dimbani Mosque is one of the oldest in East Africa.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
500 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal clear
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
June July August September October
Season end
March April
Best month
June
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
10.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. This is a quiet village with low crime rate, but respect Muslim customs.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
No
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
5 pcs
Best restaurants

Restaurants in Kizimkazi

Swahili

Several local restaurants in Kizimkazi village with traditional Swahili cuisine and fresh seafood

Nearby cuisines

Swahili

Traditional Swahili cuisine with seafood and spices

Must try: Fresh grilled fish, pilau, samosa
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Hat Towel Swimsuit (modest) Water shoes Snorkel mask Cash Water
Best Time to Swim
Morning water is calmer and dolphins are most active. Early morning is also best for sunrise and the fish auction.
Local Rules
Dress modestly — this is a conservative Muslim village. Do not touch dolphins or marine life. Respect local customs.
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Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Kizimkazi Dimbani Mosque

12th-century mosque — one of the oldest in East Africa, with white facade and historical artefacts

Jozani Forest

National park with red colobus monkeys and tropical forests nearby

Dolphins

Year-round bottlenose dolphin habitat, popular for dolphin swimming tours

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Kizimkazi Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal clear, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. The water is so clear that the bottom is visible even at depth — ideal for snorkelling. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Kizimkazi Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Kizimkazi Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Kizimkazi Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 500 metres.
Kizimkazi Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in June, July, August, September, October. It ends in March, April. The best month for a holiday is June. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Kizimkazi Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Kizimkazi Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Kizimkazi Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Kizimkazi Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Kizimkazi Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Restaurants in Kizimkazi. Cuisines available: Swahili. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Kizimkazi Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Hat, Towel, Swimsuit (modest), Water shoes, Snorkel mask, Cash, Water.
Kizimkazi Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Morning water is calmer and dolphins are most active. Early morning is also best for sunrise and the fish auction.
Kizimkazi Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Dress modestly — this is a conservative Muslim village. Do not touch dolphins or marine life. Respect local customs.
Kizimkazi Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Kizimkazi Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for travellers seeking a secluded beach with the opportunity to swim with dolphins and explore history — the 12th-century mosque is located here. Not suitable for those seeking an organised resort holiday with full infrastructure.
Kizimkazi Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Swimming with dolphins — bottlenose dolphins are resident year-round, while humpback dolphins appear seasonally. The 12th-century Dimbani Mosque is one of the oldest in East Africa.
Kizimkazi Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Swimming with dolphins, White sand, Secluded atmosphere, 12th-century mosque (Dimbani Mosque), Fewer tourists than other beaches, Authentic village, Snorkelling opportunities. Cons: No organised beach, Tides can be strong, Limited infrastructure, Conservative Muslim village — dress modestly, No lifeguards, Few hotels.
Kizimkazi Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Kizimkazi Dimbani Mosque, Jozani Forest, Dolphins. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Kizimkazi Beach: how do I get to the city of Zanzibar City?
The beach is located near the city of Zanzibar City. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Zanzibar City.

City

Zanzibar City

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

June

Useful information

Country: Tanzania
Type: Beach
Coordinates: -6.450000, 39.466700

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