Zanzibar Dhow Sunset Cruise from Nungwi and Kendwa: An Evening on the Water

A Zanzibar Dhow Sunset Cruise is a short evening sail on a traditional wooden dhow, the same boat design East African sailors have used for centuries, timed to put you on the water as the sky turns color over the Indian Ocean. It’s less an activity than a wind-down, roughly two and a half hours with nothing to do but watch the horizon change.

Where Does the Sunset Cruise Depart From?

Departures run from the north coast, meeting at a beachfront point along Nungwi Beach or Kendwa Beach around 4pm. Both beaches face west, which is exactly why this stretch of coast is where nearly every sunset cruise on the island operates from. If you’re staying elsewhere and need pickup arranged, our Zanzibar airport transfers service can also coordinate transport to the north coast for the evening.

What Happens Once You’re on the Dhow?

The crew motors the dhow around a kilometre offshore before cutting the engine and raising the sail, so the last stretch of the cruise runs on wind alone, quiet except for water against the hull. This is the part most sunset cruises rush past, here, the crew times it so the sail goes up with enough daylight left to actually watch it happen. If you’d rather pair a sunset with snorkeling earlier in the day, our Mnemba snorkeling and sunset beach tour combines both on the island’s northeast side instead.

What’s Included on Board?

Local snacks, soft drinks and a light cocktail selection are served as the boat sails, along with music that stays low enough to hear the water. The cruise returns to shore a little after sunset, usually by 6:30pm, so you’re back in time for dinner reservations rather than rushing the evening. Looking for a full day on the water before the cruise? Our Mnemba Island dolphin and snorkeling tour departs from the same north coast area. For everything else worth doing on the island, browse our full Zanzibar tours listing.