Scenic Boat Journey
Depart from Stone Town and enjoy views of the Zanzibar coastline
during the boat journey to Nakupenda Sandbank.
Travel by boat from Stone Town to one of Zanzibar’s best-known white-sand
banks for a day of swimming, snorkeling, relaxation and freshly prepared
seafood.
The Nakupenda Sandbank Tour combines a scenic Indian Ocean
boat journey with time on a beautiful tidal sandbank surrounded by clear
turquoise water.
Your experience includes hotel pickup, transportation to Stone Town, the
boat trip, a local guide and boat crew, snorkeling equipment, fresh tropical
fruit, soft drinks and a seafood BBQ lunch served during the excursion.
Nakupenda is a natural sandbank rather than a permanently inhabited island.
Its shape, size and accessibility change with the tide, making every visit
slightly different.
Spend a relaxing day surrounded by white sand and Indian Ocean views,
with swimming, snorkeling and an island-style lunch included.
Depart from Stone Town and enjoy views of the Zanzibar coastline
during the boat journey to Nakupenda Sandbank.
Relax on soft white sand surrounded by clear tropical water.
The visible size of the sandbank changes according to the tide.
Enter the warm Indian Ocean and snorkel in a suitable area when
visibility, current and sea conditions permit.
Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch with grilled seafood, local side
dishes and available seasonal fruit.
Refresh yourself with soft drinks, water and a selection of fresh
tropical fruit during the excursion.
Transportation from your Zanzibar accommodation to Stone Town and
back after the tour is included.
Nakupenda is often called a beach or island, but it is more accurately
described as a tidal sandbank. It appears as a wide area of white sand
when the tide is suitable and becomes smaller as the water rises.
For this reason, the departure time, order of activities and time spent on
the sandbank may be adjusted to match the tide and sea conditions on the
day of your tour.
The sandbank has no permanent village, palm trees or large buildings.
Temporary shade may be arranged by the boat team, but visitors should still
prepare for strong sun and limited facilities.
The clear water around the sandbank can be suitable for swimming and
snorkeling. Masks and fins are included, and the guide or boat crew will
indicate the safest area to enter the water.
Visibility and marine life vary from day to day. Depending on natural
conditions, you may see small tropical fish and other marine organisms,
but no particular species or underwater sighting can be guaranteed.
Guests who do not wish to snorkel can remain on the sandbank, swim in a
suitable shallow area or relax under the available temporary shade.
The schedule below is approximate. Exact pickup and departure times
depend on your hotel location, tide, weather and sea conditions.
Your driver will collect you from your Zanzibar accommodation at
the confirmed time and transfer you to the Stone Town waterfront.
Meet your local guide and crew, receive a short safety introduction
and board the boat prepared for the trip.
Travel from Stone Town toward Nakupenda Sandbank while enjoying
views of the coast and surrounding Indian Ocean.
Step onto the white sand when conditions permit and enjoy time for
photographs, relaxation and swimming.
Use the provided mask and fins to explore a suitable snorkeling area
selected according to the tide, current and visibility.
Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch with seafood, local side dishes,
soft drinks and seasonal tropical fruit.
Relax, swim or take photographs before the tide and boat schedule
require the group to begin the return journey.
Travel back by boat to Stone Town and meet your driver for the return
transfer to your hotel or previously agreed drop-off location.
Select your pickup location, number of travelers and preferred date.
Add dietary requirements in the booking comments and pay the displayed
deposit online.
Pay the remaining balance in cash directly to the guide on the tour
day. Your booking confirmation and final pickup details are sent
after the deposit has been received.
The complete experience normally lasts approximately 7–8 hours.
Total timing varies according to your hotel location, tide, sea
conditions and the boat schedule.
Yes. Pickup from your Zanzibar accommodation and return
transportation after the tour are included. The exact pickup
time is confirmed after booking.
The boat normally departs from the Stone Town waterfront.
Your driver will transfer you there from your hotel.
No. Nakupenda is a natural tidal sandbank. Its visible size and
accessible areas change as the water rises and falls.
Yes. A snorkeling mask and fins are included. Snorkeling takes
place only when the guide and captain consider the conditions safe.
Yes. The tour includes a seafood BBQ lunch, local side dishes,
tropical fruit, water and soft drinks.
A vegetarian alternative may be possible when requested before
the tour. Add your dietary needs to the booking and wait for
confirmation from the team.
No permanent palm trees grow on the sandbank. The crew may arrange
temporary shade, but availability can vary, so strong sun protection
is essential.
Permanent restroom facilities should not be expected on a natural
tidal sandbank. Use facilities before boarding the boat and ask the
crew about the arrangements available on the tour day.
Yes. Non-swimmers can enjoy the boat trip, sandbank and lunch
without snorkeling. They should avoid entering deep water and
follow the crew’s instructions.
Many families can join, but children must remain under close adult
supervision on the boat and near the water. The sandbank has no
barriers and the water depth changes with the tide.
The starting time, itinerary or tour date may be changed when the
captain considers the weather, tide or sea unsafe. Safety takes
priority over completing every planned activity.
Travel by boat from Stone Town, snorkel in the Indian Ocean, relax on white
sand and enjoy a seafood BBQ lunch with tropical fruit and soft drinks.
Pickup from your Zanzibar accommodation, transfer to the Stone Town waterfront and return to your hotel after the tour.
Approximately 7–8 hours. Total timing may vary according to your hotel location, tide and sea conditions.
A full-day boat trip from Stone Town to Nakupenda Sandbank with swimming, snorkeling, relaxation and a seafood BBQ lunch. The sandbank’s size, the tour schedule and water activities depend on tides, weather and sea conditions.
Our guide will come to your hotel reception at the appointed time, and you will board our vehicle (рiсk uр timе might сhаngе dереnding оn thе hоtеl оf yоur stаy, аn ехасt hоur will inform you after booking). We will pick you up from your hotel in Stone Town.
The drive takes about an hour. Along the way, you’ll be able to see some of the beautiful scenery Zanzibar offers.
Once we arrive at Nakupenda Beach, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the beach. You can swim in the clear blue waters, relax on the beach, or take a walk along the shore.
We’ll provide you with a delicious lunch of local cuisine, which you can enjoy on the beach.
We’ll leave Nakupenda Beach and drive you back to your hotel from Stone Town.
We will drive towards your hotel.
The total price consists of two parts: the Booking Deposit that you pay at the time of booking and the Remaining Balance that you pay in cash directly to the guide on the day of the Tour/Activity. Please specify all the details and choose the desired date in the booking box on the right-hand side to check the exact pricing and availability.
To confirm your booking, you must pay the Booking Deposit using a credit, debit card, or PayPal. Once the payment is made, you will receive your Tour Voucher and your booking confirmation.
On the Tour/Activity day, you must pay the Remaining Balance directly to the Tour/Activity guide by presenting your Tour Voucher. It is not mandatory to present the voucher in physical form. Please note that the Tour/Activity provider only accepts cash payments for the Remaining Balance.
We require a deposit to secure your booking and ensure the high-quality preparation and personalized experience of your Zanzibar tour. This confirms your commitment to the tour and enables us to arrange necessary logistics, such as transportation, meals, and the engagement of expert local guides, to deliver an exceptional experience tailored to your interests.
There is no cancellation fee if you cancel your tour booking at least 14 days before the scheduled departure. If you cancel between 13 and 3 days before the scheduled departure, a 50 percent cancellation fee is charged from the paid deposit.
If you cancel within two days of the scheduled departure or don’t arrive at the meeting point on time, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee from the paid deposit.
The pick-up time is аррrох. 8:00 АМ or 7:30 AM – dependents on the pick-up point. Our guide will specify the pick-up time and point through WhatSup or email.
Drop-Off always at the original departure Pick-Up Point, but you can ask our guide to take you to another place if you wish.
Please have a look at our map:
The tour includes comfortable transportation to Nakupenda Beach, ensuring a hassle-free journey to this secluded paradise.
We recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, and a camera to capture the stunning beauty of Nakupenda Beach.
Yes, shaded areas with beach umbrellas and palm trees are available, providing a comfortable spot to relax and unwind.
Permanent restroom facilities should not be expected on the sandbank. Guests should use the facilities before boarding the boat and ask the crew about the arrangements available that day.
Nakupenda was one of the most beautiful places we see in Zanzibar. The sand is very white and water was clear and warm. We enjoyed snorkeling and after had a very good lunch with fresh fish and fruits. The guide and boat team was friendly and take good care of us.
Amazing day on the beach! Pickup was on time and the boat trip from Stone Town was very nice. We had enough time for swimming, relaxing and taking photos. Lunch was simple but really tasty. Only there was many sun, so bring good sunscreen.
Nakupenda Beach Day Tour was awesome! Booking online was quick. The seafood lunch was delicious, and they had lots of exotic fruits and water. The beach is beautiful, best choice for a day in Zanzibar. Guides were friendly and helpful. Loved every bit of it!
Il tour alla Spiaggia di Nakupenda è assolutamente da fare a Zanzibar! Il pranzo a base di pesce era incredibile e i frutti esotici erano un tocco piacevole. Prenotazione dall’Italia, nessun problema. La spiaggia è semplicemente un paradiso. La scelta migliore per una giornata rilassante e piacevole. Le guide erano molto accomodanti. Lo raccomando vivamente!
Had an amazing time at Nakupenda Beach! The seafood lunch was super tasty and loved the exotic fruits. Booking from the USA was easy. The beach was stunning, definitely the best trip in Zanzibar. Guides were great, made the day extra special.