The Best Things to Do in Paje + Jambiani, Zanzibar

Palm trees, azure skies, and an ocean dotted with colourful kite surfers.

Paje is what happens when someone hits “pause” on a tropical paradise. It is the perfect blend of stunning beachside resorts, high-energy water sports, and laid-back cafes serving some of the best food on the island. It is pristine, soulful, and effortlessly relaxing.

We spent three unforgettable days on the southeast coast of Zanzibar and quite honestly left a piece of our heart there. If you’re wondering whether Paje and Jambiani are worth your travel days, this is a complete guide of the best things to do in Paje.

Things to do in Paje & Jambiani

Learn Kite surfing

Paje is undisputed kite-surfing capital of East Africa. The shallow, flat waters and consistent trade winds make it the perfect spot to take a couple of lessons.

The Best Time for Kite Surfing: Plan your trip during the wind season June – September or December – February. Check out Kite Centre Zanzibar for some lessons.

Open-water Kayaking

The tranquil southeast coast is perfect for exploring by kayak. Most of the beachfront boutique hotels provide complimentary kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to their guests.

💡 Pro Tip: You can only do this during high tide! During low tide, the ocean recedes for over a kilometre, leaving the sandbars totally dry. However, this gives the perfect opportunity to walk along the sandbars. We walked all the way to Jambiani Sandbar during the low tide and saw the locals seaweed farming.

Feed the Turtles at Salaam Cave

Located further south, this natural sinkhole serves as a sea turtle sanctuary. It is also arguably on everyone’s list of best things to do in Paje.

Our Honest Take: While it is one of the most famous attractions in the area, seeing the turtles confined to the cave left a slightly bad taste in our mouths. We were assured by the guides that these are rescued babies being rehabilitated, but the ethics of wildlife tourism here can feel like a grey area.

Sunset Swims at Kizimkazi

Besides Mnemba Atoll, Kizimkazi is also famous for dolphins tour. Most of the tourists flock the beach early in the morning to try their luck. We visited during the late noon hours after feeding the turtle at Salaam Caves for a quick lunch but stayed for the epic beach and the sunset.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re only visiting Stone Island and Paje on your trip to Zanzibar, we highly recommend signing up for a dolphin tour in the morning at Kizimkazi. We were pursued by a local boatman who assured us that we would spot dolphins even in the evening but we sailed for almost an hour without any success.

The water, gently bobbing with wooden fishing boats and motor boats, is perfect for a serene swim. Kizimkazi is also protected from the high-speed trade winds making it even more picturesque and peaceful. As the sun dips, the beach transforms into a communal local hangout.

We saw villagers fire up their open-air grills for a fresh seafood barbecue and from our experience, they were more than happy for tourists to partake in the fare. Moreover, the sole reggae bar – The Little Mojito – on the beach was also pouring kick-ass cocktails making it one of our highlights in south of Zanzibar.

We also highly recommend going to Fahari Off The Grid for an unforgettable meal at Kizimkazi.

Lunch at The Rock Restaurant

Just a short drive north to Pingwe Beach sits the iconic Rock Restaurant, famously perched on a coral outcrop in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is undeniably one of the most expensive restaurants in Zanzibar, but the unparalleled views and excellent seafood make it a common bucket-list experience for those looking for the best things to do in Paje.

💡 Pro Tip: You must book weeks in advance. Also, check the local tide tables! If you go at low tide, you can simply walk across the sand to the stairs. If you go at high tide, the restaurant operates a complimentary wooden boat to ferry you across the water.

A Beach Day at Mtende

Drive down to Mtende Beach in the far south to escape the main strips. Tucked between towering coral rock formations, it is visually stunning and famous for frequent starfish sightings.

💡 Pro Tip: You will need to pay a small village entrance or conservation fee to access the beach. While there is a restaurant there, it is highly recommended to pack your own beach snacks and drinks for the perfect uninterrupted picnic.
Timing: Visit during low tide to explore the tide pools and spot the starfish trapped in the shallow rock basins.

Where to Eat

Paje and Jambiani are host to quite a lot of beachfront restaurants and cafes worth trying.

Beachfront Restaurants

Hello Capitano – best for a chill day with smoothie bowls, falafel platters. We visited here for dinner and tried the prawns and mocktails, which were really good.
Mr. Kahawa – chill vibes and coffee during the day.
Shanga Restaurant – chilled beer and multi-cuisine.
LOST SOLES Bar – chill vibes with good seafood options.

Other Cafes

BaraBara Eat&Sleep – best for coffee and breakfast.
FLOW Coffee – must-visit for coffee.
al Casbah – must-visit for Moroccan cuisine. Although we couldn’t visit, this was one of the most popular dinner spots in Paje.
Corina Pastry Shop – desserts and wine.
Bento – Paje food court – chill vibes, multi-cuisine options, you can also enjoy live music on the weekends.
The Garten – slightly expensive but excellent food, try the burgers and steak option.
Smoothie Bar – visit for desserts and gelato style ice cream.

Where to Stay

One of the absolute best things to do in the Paje and Jambiani area is to set up camp at a luxurious beachfront property and spend your days basking in the sun. This is exactly what we did, and from our experience, we highly recommend making your accommodation a core part of your itinerary.

Luxury ($$$)

Be Zanzibar – perfect blend of luxury and authentic soul. They also have a ton of activities like morning yoga, sunset sails, and ring making workshop.
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa – perfect to splurge for a honeymoon
Kijani Beach Villas – secluded luxury at its best with a hot tub overlooking the beach.

Mid-range ($$)

Paje by Night – perfect option for solo travellers with a yoga school.
BaraBara Eat&Sleep – quaint rooms close to the beach, best for solo travellers.
Casa Ananda – the best mid-range option, perfect blend of luxury on a budget.

Budget ($)

Sand and Sunset JGM Hotel – quaint hotel close to the beach.
Tiny Home in Paje – perfect airbnb for a couple.
Entire Bungalow in Jambiani – another amazing airbnb option for couples and friends.

Expert Tips & Final Thoughts

While the Southeast Coast is incredibly beautiful and packed with fun things to do, here are a few practical tips to ensure your trip is seamless:

Navigating Paje & Jambiani: The most freeing way to explore the coastline is on a rented scooter. We rented ours from Jambiani Scooter Car Rental (+255 699 226 713), who seamlessly arranged our mandatory Zanzibar driving permit. Fortunately, we didn’t encounter any unnecessary police checkpoints, and it was a smooth ride. If you aren’t comfortable driving, most hotels have a roster of reliable taxi drivers they can call for your excursions.

Don’t Underestimate the Equatorial Sun: Don’t let a cloudy day fool you. Zanzibar sits very close to the equator, and the UV index is brutal. Keep reapplying reef-safe sunscreen every 1-2 hours to avoid severe sunburns, and always carry a sunhat.

Pack Sarongs and Cover-Ups: While Paje and Jambiani are dotted with luxury boutique properties, they are still integrated into local Zanzibari villages. Zanzibar’s population is predominantly Muslim, and it is important to dress modestly. Whenever you step off the sand or walk through the village, slip into an airy linen dress or wrap a sarong around your waist.

Evening Safety & “Beach Boys”: If you are a solo female traveller, it is generally advisable not to wander the isolated stretches of the beach alone after dark. During the day and early evening, you will frequently be approached by “beach boys” or the village youth. While they are mostly just looking to make friends, sell bracelets, or earn a tip for their acrobatics, the constant approaching can be overwhelming.

Final Thoughts

This is our ultimate guide to the best things to do in Paje and Jambiani to make your Zanzibar trip unforgettable.

If you are currently piecing together your itinerary, don’t forget to check out our [Complete Zanzibar Trip Planning Guide]—including the exact visa process for Indian travellers, budgeting tips, and our full 5-day route.

Is the tropical paradise of Paje on your bucket list for this year? Let me know in the comments below!

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