Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) the beautiful turquoise waters of Zanzibar – 2 Winds Paddle Sports
There is no doubt that the main attraction for Zanzibar is the beautiful beaches and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Like something straight off a post card. But, what do you do when you have had your fill of lazing on that sunbed reading your book? Well, that is where we can help you with the best watersports activities in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
This article will show you the best mini adventures and watersports activities to do in the surrounding waters of the Zanzibar Archipelago. This article will focus on the water-based activities that you can do, there are a lot more options away from the water as well, however these will come in a future article.
Kitesurfing
You may ask, what is ‘kitesurfing’? To clarify, it is a water sport involving standing up on a small board, whilst being pulled along by a large kite that is 50 foot in the air and attached to you by a harness.
Oh, and it is amazing fun! Therefore one of the best watersports activities in Zanzibar!
You get such an adrenalin rush as you race along the top of the water. With the wind in your hair and the salt spray from the ocean in your face you will be grinning ear to ear.
Kitesurfing is a huge global sport and as a result many kiters are taking to the water in locations around the world. Zanzibar has earned its reputation as a top-class spot for kitesurfing. With its iconic turquoise waters and endless lagoons. Kiters here can harness the power of the trade winds that blow for 8 months of the year. Most of the east coast gets good wind, with the best spots for kitesurfing being Paje and Jambiani.
Consequently, Zanzibar is an ideal spot for beginners as well as advanced kiters and anyone in between. The sandy lagoons and steady winds make it a great spot for beginners to take a course, for instance.
If you are an experienced kiter and want to bring your own gear, then you can enjoy kiting the lagoons yourself. In addition, you can even head out to explore the reefs or join up for a downwinder trip.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) requires the user to stand on a large surf-style board and propel the board through the water with a long paddle. As a result some refer to it as a cross between canoeing and surfing.
The sport of stand up paddle boarding can be traced back to ancient roots in Polynesian culture. Like many water sports it found modern popularity in Hawaii within the huge surf culture there.
SUP has ensured that almost every body of water worldwide has become a playground for paddlers. From lakes to rivers, lagoons to the open ocean. Consequently it is the fastest growing water sport in the world. Moreover, many people choose SUP for fitness as it offers a full-body work, natural surroundings, and plenty of vitamin D.
Zanzibar is a SUP paradise! So that is why we include it as one of the best watersports activities in Zanzibar.
With stunning coastlines, crystal clear waters, sheltered lagoons and wild mangrove forests. Subsequently there is something here for every paddler and adventure is waiting when you hop onboard. Beginners and advanced paddlers alike will enjoy SUP activities here.
Take a guided mangrove tour in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Experience this amazing habitat for mangrove trees and a variety of bird and animal life. Weave your way through the mangrove tunnels to the sounds of lapping water and birdsong. As your guide teaches you how to SUP and about the incredible mangrove eco-system. This SUP eco-tour will certainly leave you both exhilarated and at peace.
More adventurous paddlers can join an Adventure Paddle, taking you to remote corners of the islands. Therefore testing your endurance and paddle skills during epic long-distance paddles through the stunning wild places of Zanzibar.
Yacht Charter
Try something different for your holiday this year. Charter a yacht and take an unforgettable yacht cruise along the East African coast.
The stunningly beautiful Zanzibar Archipelago is way off the beaten track and offers wonderful cruising for the adventurous at heart. Satellite islands around the main island of Unguja, or Zanzibar, are little hidden gems. Pemba is the second main island of the archipelago and is still very untouched and yet offers some world class sailing, diving, snorkeling, and fishing.
Yacht charters in Zanzibar have something for everyone. From day cruises to multi-day scuba diving, sport fishing, selective fishing, or simply cruising live aboard trips.
You have the choice of a modern style luxury sailing catamaran, with hot showers and air conditioning. Or for a more authentic experience charter a traditional style sailing dhow that has been kitted out with all the modern equipment and luxuries you need.
If you want to set sail into the sunset for a once-in-a-lifetime sailing adventure, then Zanzibar is the place for you. A yacht charter itself is one of the best watersports activities you can do in Zanzibar. And it also allows you access to many other watersports whilst on-board. Such as stand up paddle boards, kayaking, fishing, diving etc.
Freediving
Freediving relies on the individual’s ability to hold their breath for long periods of time whilst they dive underwater. It is called ‘free’ because you are free of the bulk and restrictions of any underwater breathing apparatus, like those used by scuba divers.
Breath-hold diving, or freediving, comes naturally to humans because of the Mammalian Reflex. This is also common in dolphins and whales. In that sense freediving allows an individual to get closer to nature and feel more in-tune with the sea.
If you want to try out this beautifully liberating sport, then you are in luck as Zanzibar hosts one of the only freediving schools in East Africa. It also helps that the waters are crystal clear and full of exciting places to dive and explore. If you haven’t tried it before then Zanzibar, Tanzania is the best spot to try this amazing watersports activities.
For those already experienced, then join an adventure trip freediving with dolphins (and humpback whales in the right season). Or a multi day live aboard freediving charter out to the remote waters of Pemba Island.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving offers you a way to experience a completely different world than what we as human beings are used to – the underwater world. The Zanzibar Archipelago offers world class diving that is very much off the beaten track.
A mind-blowing cacophony of coral reefs and reef inhabitants awaits you in those clear warm waters. You are likely to see hammerhead sharks, Napoleon wrasses, eagle and manta rays, spinner, bottlenose, and humpback dolphins, and migrating calving humpback whales (in the right season). The smaller life around the coral reefs is full of colour and excitement as well with many interesting sights.
If you want to get further away from it all and really get out to those remote spots, then try a liveaboard scuba diving trip. Set sail on a yacht that has been specially adapted for diving purposes as well as having comfortable sleeping cabins.
You will be able to get to some dive sites that no one else has access to. These trips also offer a unique glimpse into the mysterious past and current life along the historical Swahili Coast. As well as giving you access to one of the best watersports activities in Zanzibar.
Surfing
Surfing is such an iconic watersport, conjuring up romantic imagery of white sand beaches, sparkling blue water and the brilliant white splash of the waves.
And in Zanzibar this is all a reality! You really do get to surf in crystal clear blue water fringed by white sand beaches. There was no question about this making it into the list for the best watersports activities in Zanzibar!
Whilst the more popular watersports in Zanzibar are kitesurfing, stand up paddle boarding and scuba diving, surfing is gaining fast in popularity.
Zanzibar is blessed with some beautiful uncrowded reef breaks which you can only get to by boat. The waves in some spots are great for beginners whilst other spots are for the more adventurous and skilled surfers.
Surf packages and camps can be arranged and even combined with other activities to make an awesome adrenalin packed adventure.
East Africa may not be up there on the top of the surfers list, but it should be for all that it has to offer. The magic of surfing those aquamarine waves, then finishing the day sipping a freshly picked coconut under the palm tree. While watching kids play football on the beach as the sun sets. This what it means to surf in Zanzibar.
Kayaking
Kayaking involves paddling using a double-bladed oar and a small boat. Kayaks come in a variety of sizes and types, depending on their intended use. The boat sits low in the water and usually only accommodates a single paddler, tandem kayaks can hold two or even three people.
Kayaking is a versatile sport that can be done in practically any body of water. Rivers, lakes, and oceans are popular spots for kayaking and due to the different types, everyone from beginners to experts can enjoy the sport.
From beginner-friendly paddling to white-water riding, kayaking has something to offer to everyone. And so, to does kayaking in Zanzibar.
Beginners can paddle the turquoise waters of the protected lagoons or take a tour through the mysterious mangrove forests.
For the more adventurous paddlers you can head out to the reef and punch through to the deep blue waters behind. Or plot your route out to explore one of the many satellite islands in the Zanzibar Archipelago.
Zanzibar is a paddlers paradise with so much to explore and enjoy, making it an easy addition to the best watersports activities in Zanzibar. Be sure to check your tides first though or go through one of our trusted partners to make the most of it.
Sport Fishing
Fishing in Zanzibar has always been an important method of collecting food. Skills have been passed down from generation to generation. In more modern times fishing has become a popular pastime for many, thus the name ‘sport fishing’.
It is also a popular tourist activity in Zanzibar. With avid anglers traveling to Zanzibar to catch the most sought-after fish, for their size, difficulty in catching, and fighting strength. As sport fishing targets fish as a pastime, most fish are released back into the sea and swim away.
The Zanzibar Archipelago offers some world class sport fishing destinations for those seeking prize fish. Wahoo, yellowfin tuna, marlin, giant trevally, and the mighty dogtooth tuna teem in these waters.
You will find fishing adventures to prime destinations. Whether you prefer trolling, popping, jigging, or fly fishing, or a combination of all of those, your experienced guides will put you on to the great fish this part of the world has to offer.
To get out to the remote spots you can also look at tailor-made multi-day liveaboard trips. These trips take you out to the further away islands and spots like Pemba and Latham where you will get some great fish.
Snorkelling
Make the most of one of nature’s biggest playgrounds, the Indian Ocean. For those of you that do not want the adrenalin rush of kitesurfing or the technical side of scuba, you have snorkelling.
Zanzibar has beautiful reefs to snorkel and fantastic boat trips that incorporate snorkelling as part of the trip. Snorkelling is fun and very family friendly, whether from a boat or a beach you will experience the wonder of a stunning underwater world.
The more famous spots in Zanzibar are Mnemba Atoll and Menai Bay (made famous by the amazing Safari Blue company who pioneered trips here.)
There are also some less well known or more remote spots that are worth exploring. To get there you may need a private boat hire or even a liveaboard yacht, Pemba is one such location with stunning reefs.
When snorkelling in Zanzibar you will most likely see a lot of reef fish and a variety of small marine life. Sea creatures such as nudibranch, leaf fish, frog fish, crocodile fish, sea horse, mantis shrimp, octopus, are very common to spot. If you are lucky you may also see dolphins and turtles.
Selective Fishing
‘Selective fishing’ is also known as spearfishing. In short, it is proven to be the most selective method of fishing. The only form of fishing where one sees their catch before it is caught.
In addition Spearfishing is done by freediving, therefore no breathing aids are used. As a result the person is limited to the depth they can dive and how long they can hold their breath.
Subsequently the odds are in the favour of the fish in this underwater world.
Further, spearfishing has no by-catch, which therefore makes it much more sustainable than any other fishing method.
Zanzibar is a destination for those who want a cultural and beach holiday with friends and family. While still getting some world-class blue water spearfishing for trophy fish. Wahoo, black marlin, giant trevally, greater barracuda, dorado, green jobfish, dogtooth tuna, snapper, and yellowfin tuna for instance.
No fish goes to waste; it is all either eaten by who caught it, local communities and fishermen to whom it is donated to, or selectively chosen as bait for other fish.
Zanzibar boasts world famous live aboard trips and a freediving and spearfishing school located in Zanzibar. So, all levels of spear fishers are catered for. Explore our amazing destinations and allow us to create a spearfishing trip of a lifetime for you, your family, and your friends.
Come jump in!
Have you made it to the bottom of this amazing list of the best watersports activities in Zanzibar?
And have you booked your trip to Zanzibar?
So, what are you waiting for? Come jump in!
This list of the best watersports activities in Zanzibar is only a portion of what this amazing Archipelago has to offer though.
The Swahili culture and heritage ensures there are plenty of historical sites and architectural wonders to see. Likewise, delicious Swahili cuisine with seafood influences will keep you more than satisfied. Endemic red colobus monkeys, spice tours, island hopping trips and Stone Town tours will all keep you entertained whilst you are away from that warm Indian Ocean water.
And let’s not forget the nearby mainland of Tanzania with its offering of world class safaris and the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, plus so much more.
In conclusion, the Zanzibar Archipelago has a bit of everything to offer, whether you are a water-baby and want to experience the best watersports activities, or just like to dip your toes occasionally.
