Zanzibar - Docking

Unguja - Stone Town

Anchoring

Stone Town port is busy with ferries and shipping and anchoring here can be uncomfortable. Anchor in about 9-10m.  Decent holding but rolly -  the ferries will power through with no regard for wake.  It can also be very rolly in July/Aug with the SW wind in the morning and SE in the afternoon.

Dinghies can be left on the small beach in front of the Mercury Bar, where for a small tip one of the bar guards will keep an eye on it. Take care with the tides and be sure to haul the dinghy far enough up the beach. The staff at the Mercury Bar can help with finding a taxi.

Marinas

Zanzibar Marina, also known as Azam Watersports Marina is located a couple of miles north of Stone Town. The marina is situated behind the Hotel Verde Zanzibar. The marina entrance is exposed to the west and north.  The marina charges US$50/night for berthing and US$20 to leave your dinghy there.

Unguja - Other Anchorages

There are good anchorages found all along the western side of Unguja, with the best shelter being in Menai Bay, or inside Peet's Inlet in the south and inside Tumbatu Island in the north.

In settled weather, there is an excellent beachfront anchorage at Kilindi, in the far north (05° 45’ 09”S, 039° 17’ 17”E). Be mindful of the close-in reef and coral heads as you enter. Don't anchor in less than 20' of water, at high tide. Water visibility is very good in Kindle.

Anchor off Kendwa Beach where the Kendwa Rocks Hotel is welcoming to visiting cruisers.  Anchoring here less rolly than Stone Town but more touristy. Anchoring at Mkokotoni is very calm.

Pemba

Pemba Lagoon is a mini-archipelago which provides numerous anchoring options.

Last updated:  August 2023