Honeymoon in Zanzibar: which hotels and which beach

"Zanzibar honeymoon" has long been one of the Zanzibar searches that come up most often from Algeria. It is easy to see why: white-sand beaches on the Indian Ocean, an old town listed by UNESCO, a population that is overwhelmingly Muslim, and a dry season that falls right in the middle of wedding season. Here is how to plan your honeymoon in Zanzibar: when to go, how many days to allow, and which beach and hotel to choose as a couple.

When to go on a Zanzibar honeymoon

In Algeria, many weddings take place in summer. That works out well: in Zanzibar, the weather is generally drier from June to September, then in January and February. The "long rains" fall from March to May, and the "short rains" from October to December. If you marry in spring, leaving in June is often worth the wait of a few weeks.

Summer is also the busiest period: to have a real choice of hotel and room, book as soon as the wedding date is set.

How many days?

A week to ten days on the island lets you enjoy it without rushing. A simple plan that couples love:

• two nights in Stone Town, the old town, for its alleys, carved doors and seafront;
• five to seven nights on a beach, to really rest;
• optionally, a safari on the mainland before the beach, if you have more time: see our article Safari in Tanzania and beach in Zanzibar.

Which beach for a honeymoon?

In Zanzibar, the beach changes a lot from one coast to another because of the tides. For a couple, two styles stand out.

The north-west, for swimming and sunsets. Around Nungwi and Kendwa, the sea pulls back less than elsewhere, so swimming is easier at any time of day. Kendwa is on the west coast: in the evening, the sun sets in front of the beach, a lovely moment to share.

The east coast, for wide open space. From Kiwengwa in the north-east down to Paje, Jambiani and Michamvi in the south-east, hotels stretch along long beaches. At low tide the sea goes out a very long way: choose a hotel with a pool and check the tide times before you plan a swim.

For details on each area, read our guide Where to stay in Zanzibar.

Which hotel for two?

For a honeymoon, look less at the number of stars and more at a few simple points:

• a room or villa with a private pool, for privacy;
• an adults-only hotel, if you want peace and quiet: there are some on the island, so ask when you book;
• all-inclusive, handy if you want to think of nothing, but what it covers varies from hotel to hotel: ask what is included (meals, drinks, boat trips);
• mention your honeymoon when you book: some hotels prepare a special touch.

A few well-known addresses, by area. In Nungwi: the Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar, and Kai Zanzibar Hotel & Spa. In Kendwa: Zuri Zanzibar. In Stone Town, for your nights in the city: the Park Hyatt Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Serena Hotel, both on the waterfront. Our team will confirm availability and the price of the day for your dates.

Moments to share

• Dinner at The Rock, the restaurant perched on a rock off Michamvi Pingwe beach on the east coast: at low tide you walk there, at high tide a small boat takes you across.
• The Forodhani Gardens night market, on the Stone Town seafront: after sunset, stalls serving grilled seafood and Zanzibari dishes set up.
• Changuu Island, known as "Prison Island", about thirty minutes by boat from Stone Town, home to giant tortoises.
• The dolphins of Kizimkazi, in the south of the island, and snorkelling around Mnemba Atoll, off the north-east coast.
• Jozani Forest, home of the red colobus, a monkey found only in Zanzibar.

Before you leave

In principle, travellers with an Algerian passport need a visa for Tanzania, Zanzibar included, and since 1 October 2026 foreign visitors must also hold a local travel insurance policy. Check the latest requirements on the official Tanzanian immigration website or with the embassy before you travel. For health matters (yellow fever, malaria), see a doctor a few weeks before departure. Everything is explained in our guide Travelling to Zanzibar from Algeria.

Questions about the documents hotels ask for at check-in? Rules vary from one hotel to another: ask our team before you book.

Book your Zanzibar honeymoon

Send us your wedding date, travel dates, budget and the kind of stay you dream of: our team suggests hotels in Zanzibar and confirms the price of the day before anything is booked. From Algeria, you pay in dinars, without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly agency. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made. To find out more, read our article booking a hotel without a bank card.

Plan our Zanzibar honeymoon

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.