Pongwe Beach on Zanzibar’s east coast is known for its tranquil, secluded atmosphere, perfect for a quiet retreat with powdery white sand, calm, reef-protected waters ideal for swimming, and beautiful sunrises. It offers a peaceful alternative to more crowded beaches, with a focus on relaxation, natural beauty, and boutique accommodations rather than nightlife.
On the other hand, you totally depend on your resort or hotel regarding transportation and food options; there are really nearly no alternatives to eat outside or to find a reliable supermarket. Beaches are more natural, but in Zanzibar terms, it also means more dirty and polluted by local communities. So, you have to choose wisely where you will stay, unlike us. We stayed in one of several Czech projects on the island, the hotel White Paradise, which is on a site with a mangrove forest without a sandy beach due to tidal changes. The resort features spacious bungalows, a large pool area and a daily-changing, à la carte menu of local Zanzibari dishes and fresh seafood. We loved their excellent tapas dinner. They provided us with a free shuttle to the nearby Uroa public beach, full of fishing boats and trash brought by sea, so it was not an option for us. We primarily used this resort as a base to explore the island.
