Zanzibar - General Info
Where is Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Unguja, Latham, Mnemba and Pemba Islands, and several islets. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast and 6° south of the equator.
Fishing and agriculture are the main economic activities and Zanzibar is the world’s largest producer of cloves, which together with coconut products and spices, are still the major exports of the country.
Cruiser Highlights for Zanzibar:
Unguja
Known internationally as Zanzibar, Unguja is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide and has beautiful beaches with fringing coral reefs. The capital city is Zanzibar City, which is made up of two parts, Ng’ambo and Stone Town. This historic town is so-named because of the ancient stone buildings that are crowded together on the waterfront, with small lanes and streets full of every type of sale. It has lots of excellent cafes and restaurants, charming lodges and inexpensive hotels.
There are cruising destinations scattered all around the western side of the island. The diving and snorkelling are average to good, depending on when and where you dive. Humpback whales are sighted daily in the season, which runs from October to March. Whale sharks are sometimes spotted but are best seen on Mafia Island in October.
Pemba Island
Renowned for its lush, green hills and clove plantations, Pemba is home to several dive sites, with steep drop-offs, untouched coral and very abundant marine life. The main town is Chake Chake, but Mkoani remains the most friendly of the ports in Pemba.
Location:
06 ° 08 “15 ‘S 39 ° 12” 23’ E (Azam Marina Entrance Zanzibar, Stone Town)
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Port Navigation
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Whilst we were anchored off Kendwa Beach, we hired a car and had it delivered to Kendwa Rocks hotel. The hotel said we could park it overnight in their car park for no charge which was great and we returned the favour by having food and drinks at the restaurant (wasn’t necessary, but we thought it the right thing to do). You need to pay $10USD for a driving permit and we paid about $26USD/day for a 4wd suzuki.
Thank you Kim for all this great feedback as you cruise – it’s so very helpful. Not sure if you’ll have seen the recent Tanzania Cruising Notes published a few days ago which might come in handy – https://www.noonsite.com/report/tanzania-comprehensive-cruising-notes/.
We checked into the country in Dar es Salaam but sailed to Zanzibar a couple of times and used the transire process. We anchored off stone town in about 9-10m – decent holding but rolly and the ferries will power through with no regard for wake. It can also be v. rolly in July/Aug as SW in the morning and SE in the afternoon. Then took the dinghy in to the beach next to Mercurys restaurant/bar. From there a short walk to the port avoiding all the ferry ticket sellers. The customs office for the transire is easy to find – just go through the port gates and turn right then its a little portacabin office inside the dhow shed (which is next to where all the dhow boats are moored offloading their goods). Immigration are at the port as well but next to the entrance.
We investigated the cost for leaving the dinghy at the marina and was advised it was $20USD. The marina charges $50USD per night for berthing.
We found the anchorage at Kendwa Beach to be less rolly but more touristy. Anchoring at Mkokotoni is very calm.
Zanzibar now provides pretty much the only real Marina in East Africa north of Richards bay Tuzi Gazi (given the state of Tuzi Gazi docks there in June 2017 it may not viable anymore). Azam Zanzibar marina S 06 8.184 E 39 12.66 currently provides 18 full docks with water, shore power and other facilities. it is being enlarged to about 40 berths.
The developing company Azam is the biggest marine company in Tanzania and it seems they plan to develop a yachting hub and add a variety of marine services including the shipyard, technical services and more. The marina is managed by a very helpful South African couple, Mike and Nicole
+255 745 028 606 https://web.facebook.com/azamwatersportsmarina
SV Toybox August 2018
Stonetown : nous sommes arrivés à Zanzibar, début avril 2016 : mouillage dans le port de Stonetown, dans 15 mètres d’eau, au milieu des ferries, à la pointe nord, pas très confortable, mais pas guère d’autres possibilités pour mouiller,( debut mousson SE ). Concernant le dinghy , pour aller à terre, nous l’avons laissé chaque jour sur la petite plage devant le MERCURY’S BAR , où moyennant un petit pourboire un des vigiles du bar avait un oeil dessus.
Attention lors marées hautes,monter le dinghy tout en haut de la plage,et bien l’assurer:mais le gardien et le personnel du bar sont vraiment coopératifs.Nous avons trouvé une averie : demander au Mercury’s les coordonnées,ils connaissent, un taxi nous a amenés,c’est environ à 2 kms du port; nous avons fait tamponner les passeports au quai d’arrivée des ferries.
En ce qui concerne le “transire”,il faut d’abord aller aux port pour les customs, ensuite trouver le “bureau des Transire”” au port des dhows, mais là, l’employée nous a réclamé la somme de 3000 shillings (1,5€ environ)pour l’établir pour l’île de Mafia ( alors que c’est normalement gratuit), et pas de reçu ! Nous avons essayé de discuter, en vain. Ce n’est pas le prix que ça coûte, mais c’est le principe. A part ça, Stonetown vaut vraiment la peine de s’y arrêter ! Christine et Jany / Voilier Filopré /