The North East Coast of Zanzibar boasts the long, white picture-perfect beaches that first attracted many visitors to the island. Less than a kilometer offshore, waves beak along the fringe reef that runs the length of the island, and the warm turquoise waters attract divers, swimmers and fisherman alike. An unbroken strip of coconut palms completes the vision of a perfect tropical paradise.

The beaches here slope very little, so swimming from the beach is difficult at low tide. It does, however allow for an easy exploration of the fascinating exposed reef that lies beyond.

Matemwe is the most northerly of the east coast settlements – a classic Swahili fishing village set amongst a forest of coconut palms. Every evening you can watch the fishing dhows set sail into the sunset, only to return the following morning to deliver their fresh catch on the beach.