KiteActive / destination story / Travel / Aug 22, 2025
Kitespot guide – Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a tropical kite paradise for all levels. The island is known for its steady trade winds, turquoise lagoons and wide sandbanks. On the east coast you’ll find the most popular kitespots, with broad beaches and flat, shallow water that’s perfect for both beginners and advanced riders.
By Felix Maks- From glassy flat water to big reef waves. All spots on the island are affected by tides.
- On Zanzibar the trade winds blow almost year‑round.
There are two wind seasons: Kusi (May–Oct, S/SE, strong and steady) and Kaskazi (Dec–Feb, NE, lighter but consistent). - Always lovely weather — kitesurf in your boardshorts / bikini.
- From May to September and December to March.
- A top destination for all levels.
Paje Lagoon
📍 Location on Google Maps
Wind directions:
Kusi (May–Oct): S / SE, 15–25 knots, often strong and steady.
Kaskazi (Dec–Feb): NE, 12–20 knots, a bit lighter but still very consistent.
Level: Beginner to advanced (the shallow lagoon and flat water are great for lessons, but also suit freestylers and foilers).
Notes: The spot is strongly tide‑dependent → at low tide large parts of the lagoon dry out. Watch for coral and sea urchins; water shoes recommended.
Launching & landing: Wide white sandy beach with lots of space. Beachboys and kite centers often help with safe launching and landing.
Tide: Best conditions at mid‑ to low‑tide (flatwater lagoon). At high tide the water gets choppier and there’s less room.
Kite zone: Virtually the whole lagoon is a kite zone, but keep distance from hotel swim areas. Downwinders to Jambiani and Bwejuu are popular and well organised.
Crowds / community: The biggest kite community on Zanzibar with lots of schools and rental options. In high season it’s lively and busy on the water; outside peak times it’s much more relaxed.
Wing & Foiling: With the constant trade winds and the large lagoon, foiling is very possible. Note the depth → often too shallow to foil at low tide, ideal at high tide.
Paje – Reef / Wave / Downwinders
Imagine standing on Paje’s beach, the lagoon stretched out like a turquoise mirror. Far out on the horizon you see the white line of the reef. About two kilometres offshore the Indian Ocean breaks into perfect waves on that reef — a paradise for kiters looking for a bit more adventure.
Together with a few other kiters you head out of the lagoon, further from the coast. The water deepens, the colour shifts from pale blue to deep blue, and you hear the roar of the waves on the reef. Out here on the open sea long, glassy waves roll in. It feels unreal: kitesurfing in a spot almost nobody visits, with only the ocean and the horizon around you.
This isn’t a place to go alone — the reef sits far offshore, and if something happens getting back is hard. But with friends or an organised trip you’ll experience the magic of kiting the waves, surrounded by tropical beauty.
And when the waves have given you their energy, you can lower your kite and start an epic downwinder: from The Rock at Michamvi along the lagoon, past Paje and all the way to Jambiani. You glide for kilometres with the wind at your back, through turquoise water, past white beaches and small fishing villages. A ride that captures the essence of Zanzibar: adventure, nature and freedom.
Jambiani
📍 Location on Google Maps
Summary: A quieter alternative to Paje, with the same turquoise lagoon and perfect flatwater conditions. Ideal for kiters who want to avoid the crowds and ride in a more local atmosphere.
Wind directions:
Kusi (May–Oct): S / SE, 15–25 knots, powerful and steady.
Kaskazi (Dec–Feb): NE, 12–20 knots, lighter but consistent.
Level: Beginner to advanced. The lagoon is large and easy to read, so lessons, freeride and freestyle all work well.
Notes: Tidal dependent → at low tide much of the lagoon dries out and you may need to walk a long way. Watch for coral and sea urchins → water shoes recommended.
Launching & landing: Wide sandy beaches with plenty of room. Quieter than Paje, so launching and landing is easier.
Tides: Best conditions at mid- to low-tide (flat water). High tide brings choppier water and less space.
Kite zone: Free kite zone across almost the whole lagoon. Downwinders to Paje or further toward Dongwe and Bwejuu are popular.
Crowds / community: Small-scale kite community with a few schools. Much less busy than Paje, so you often have plenty of space.
Extra – Wing & Foiling: Thanks to the steady trade winds, foiling works really well here. Often too shallow at low tide, but around high tide it’s ideal for foiling.
Matemwe
📍 Location on Google Maps
Summary: Spacious, relaxed spot on the northeast coast, with wide lagoons and views of Mnemba Island. Perfect for long downwinders and kiters seeking peace and space.
Wind directions:
Kusi (May–Oct): S / SE, 15–25 knots, steady and powerful.
Kaskazi (Dec–Feb): NE, 12–20 knots, a bit lighter but very consistent.
Level: Suitable for beginner to advanced. The lagoon is flat and easy to read, but because of the remote location it’s especially interesting for independent kiters.
Notes: At low tide the lagoon largely dries out. Coral, sea urchins and razor clams are present → water shoes recommended. Fewer kite facilities than in Paje/Jambiani.
Launching & landing: Wide sandy beach with lots of space, but few kite centers → often on your own.
Tide: Best conditions around mid- to low-tide for flat water. High tide = choppier water and less room to play.
Kite zone: No official restrictions; the whole lagoon is kiteable. Downwinders toward Kiwengwa or Mnemba Island are popular (guidance recommended).
Crowds / community: Very quiet; barely any kiters compared to Paje. Small community with a few low-key schools and lodges.
Wing & Foiling: Constant wind makes foiling very doable. Too shallow at low tide; at high tide the foil conditions are ideal.
Nungwi / Kendwa
📍 Location on Google Maps
Summary: Famous seaside town at the far north of Zanzibar with clear blue water and wide beaches. Not a typical kitespot, but with the right wind you can sail here.
Wind directions: Best with NE / N during the Kaskazi (Dec–Feb). With S / SE (Kusi, May–Oct) it’s usually offshore and therefore unsuitable.
Level: Advanced (due to variable wind conditions and a lack of a flatwater lagoon). Not ideal for beginners.
Things to watch out for: Wind can be gusty because of buildings and tends to blow offshore during the Kusi season. Currents around the northern tip toward Kendwa can be strong.
Launching & landing: Wide sandy beaches, but often busy with tourists and boats. Space to launch and land depends on the season and how crowded the beach is.
Tide: Less pronounced lagoon than on the east coast, but currents and water depth change with the tide.
Kite zone: No official kite zone; kiting can be done along the beach but be mindful of swimmers and boat traffic (dhows and fishermen).
Crowds / community: No big kite community like in Paje. A few small kite centers are active, but kiting here is more of a “side activity.”
Wing & Foiling: Wind is less reliable than on the east coast. Foiling is possible, but watch out for shipping and currents.
Secret spot – Paradise
Ask the team when you book this trip — but it has to stay a secret 😉
Tips from KiteActive
- Zanzibar is a real paradise for foilers. A great place to learn or to bring your own gear.
- It doesn’t often get very windy here, so make sure to bring larger kite sizes!
- Kitesurfing on the reef is highly recommended.
Written by: felix
