Twice a day the tide drops and strips of pure white sand rise out of the turquoise water off northern Zanzibar. For a few hours they are islands with nothing on them. We time the trip to the tide table, anchor ANELIS in the shallows, and you step down the ladder into knee-deep water with the picnic already on its way.
The day, step by step
- 10:00Departure from Nungwi, timed to the falling tide.
- 11:00Anchor at the sandbank. Swim, walk, photos with no one else in them.
- 13:00Picnic on the sand: fruit, and grilled seafood if you added lunch.
- 14:15One last swim while the tide comes back, then home to Nungwi.
What's included
- The whole boat for your group
- Captain and local crew
- Fruit, water and soft drinks
- Mat and shade on the sandbank
- Life jackets for everyone
Good to know
- The exact hours depend on the tide that day. We confirm the departure time on WhatsApp.
- There is no shade on a sandbank except what we bring. Hat, sunscreen and water matter.
- Ideal for families: the water around the sand is shallow and warm.
Questions
When can you visit a sandbank in Zanzibar?
Only around low tide, which moves by roughly an hour every day. That is why we set the departure by the tide table rather than by a fixed clock.
Is lunch included?
Fruit and drinks are. Ask on WhatsApp if you want a picnic lunch on the sand.
How much is a private sandbank trip?
Price on request, depending on the group and the tide that day. Send the details on WhatsApp and the captain replies with the price.
