Lesser-known winter sun hotspot has 31C December weather and phenomenal beaches

06 December 2023 , 06:00

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Zanzibar is warmed by temperatures in the low 30s even come December (Image: Getty Images)

A beautiful island chain off the coast of east Africa is packed full of beaches and sizzles in 31C temperatures in December.

Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean is a small run of islands next to Tanzania that are visited perhaps far less than they deserve. Arguably foremost on the long list of reasons to do so are its beaches. Zanzibar is blessed with a long coastline packed full of white sand that leads onto turquoise waters, providing a perfect tropical getaway for relaxation and water activities.

One of the best is located on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island. Nungwi is a popular spot that remains buzzing deep into the evening thanks to the delightful beachfront restaurants and bars serving delicious fresh seafood and drinks, along with live music and entertainment.

Bwejuu beach on the other hand sits on the island’s southeast coast and is lined with palm trees. It is only an hour and a half away from Stone Town, but does not attract too many visitors. It’s one of the quietest parts of Zanzibar and a popular choice for those seeking total relaxation.

Stone Town has been designated at UNESCO site (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

While you may decide to sit idly in the sun soaking up the peace for the duration of your stay, once off the lounger and on your feet, there is plenty to explore on the island chain. The archipelago sits 25km off the African mainland, a semi-autonomous region of the much larger Tanzania which lies directly to its west.

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The islands remain a crossroads of culture having long attracted sailors and occupiers from across the world who left behind Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences. The best physical manifestation of this is Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City.

At its most beguiling it is a maze of narrow alleys lined by houses, shops, bazaars and mosques. Since most streets are too narrow for cars, the town is crowded with bicycles and motorbikes. It is very easy to get lost in this labyrinth of snickets and crave the sudden relief that comes with stepping out into the open of the seafront.

Stone Town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its beautiful architecture which mostly dates back to the 19th century. It continues to reflect the diverse influences underlying the Swahili culture.

The island chain is famed for its beautiful beaches (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Zanzibar is known as the "Spice Island" due to the many farms located there which continue to form the backbone of its economy. Tourists - who numbered around 400,000 annually pre-Covid - can take guided tours to learn how cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon are cultivated.

Another big attraction is the marine life. Snorkelling and diving enthusiasts flock to the island chain each year to immerse themselves in the delightful water and explore the vibrant coral reefs that continue to thrive in the clean water.

Even without a wetsuit it is easy to spend many an hour trying to spy the diverse marine wildlife that lives there. For much of the year, including December, Zanzibar is warm. This week it is a balmy 31C.

The best time of the year to visit is between June and October, when the heavy rains that often pelt down there have mostly cleared. The rest of the year is lovely, so long as you don't mind getting wet intermittently.

There are two ways to get to the tropical islands of Zanzibar–by ferry or plane. You can fly to the main island of Unguja (often referred to as Zanzibar Island) and to Pemba Island. Most of the flights to Zanzibar are from Dar es Salaam, on the coast of Tanzania, to Stone Town on Unguja. If you're okay with a slightly longer layover, the journey from the UK can cost around £540 return and take about a day. It is possible to make the trip in 13 hours, but that tends to cost closer to £700.

Milo Boyd