Kendwa has a wide, clean, white beach.
It is not as populated as Nungwi and you can easily find a secluded
spot on the beach anywhere from Gemma del Est to Kilindi
and further south.
It is our favorite beach on mainland Zanzibar. The water is clean and there is no reef so you can swim in
the ocean at any time of time. You can beach bar-hop, you can shop at
one of several beach kiosks and there are several fishing and diving
shops. And then there are the wonderful sunsets!
Unfortunately, we hear the large Italian hotel
groups are buying out the small local lodges and we expect Kendwa to
change drastically in the coming years. We have nothing against
Italians but do they not have enough resorts already on Zanzibar?
Assuming you have a decent budget and are looking
for a certain level of comfort, in terms of overall location and
amenities, Gemma del Est is the perfect Kendwa choice although it is
technically in Nungwi! It has a pool, pool bar, pier with bars and
restaurants and a good selection of watersports. The deluxe rooms have
great views with air-conditioning and mosquito nets.
The best small resort is Kendwa Breezes. Most of its
rooms have clear views of the beach (almost unheard of in Kendwa where
most rooms are hidden behind the beach bars and/or trees).
Kilindi is the obvious luxury option in Kendwa if
one believes the brochures but it is new and needs a bit of time
before we would recommend it.
Be aware that many rooms on Kendwa are sold as "on
the beach" or with "sea views"! There are rooms on the beach (at
Kendwa Rocks for example) but these do not have clear sea views
because they are behind the beach bars and restaurants. Sea view rooms
often offer only a glimpse of the water from behind the trees and bar
structures. Buyer beware!
You can walk from Gemma to the Kendwa hotels at high
tide or low tide - the beach does not disappear at high tide!
