Mtende Beach must be added to your African Travel itinerary if you consider yourself a beach person and intend to travel to Zanzibar. In this blog post, I’ve covered everything you should know before visiting Mtende Beach, so you can have the best experience possible. The main portion of the beach is located in a large cove between two rock formations. One of the coolest spots on the island to watch the tides change is absolutely stunning.
If you didn’t already know, Zanzibar has some of the most extreme tides I have ever seen. In that respect, Mtende Beach is similar to the majority of other beaches. Whenever you plan to visit Mtende, do your homework and find out when the tides will be out and in. You can walk the entire length of the beach when the tide is low, but when the tide is high, it extends all the way to the stairs.
Mtende Beach is surrounded by Government-protected land that is largely undeveloped. We believe that this is the reason the area charges a fee to enter. The only hotel in the vicinity is an eco-hotel as well. It’s important to note that few phone carriers have service nearby, but if you require it, one restaurant has Wi-Fi. It’s best to agree on a pickup time with your driver before you part ways because it can be challenging to communicate with them once they arrive. None of the carriers we tried had service in the area, despite our efforts. The beach truly is the ideal location to disconnect from the outside world as a result!
RESTAURANTS AND FOOD IN THE AREA
There are only two restaurants in the area, so eating is limited. If you anticipate spending some time there, it might be a good idea to pack some snacks. One of the eateries, Eden Rock, offers two food options on the menu in addition to a daily special, along with drinks. In addition, their prices are relatively high compared to the surrounding area, with many items costing around 20,000 Tanzanian shillings. Even though this costs around $10, it’s more than you should have to.
You can get food at a much more affordable neighborhood restaurant by taking a short stroll down the beach. A short distance from Mtende Beach’s main entrance is the Usumba Rock Restaurant. You can see it when you descend the stairs. When the tide is low, walking along the beach is possible; however, when the tide is high, it is at least waist high. Don’t worry; the staff can arrange for a boat to take you back to the beach if the tide comes in while you’re eating. The menu at this nearby Swahili restaurant is more extensive than Eden Rock’s. Each of the dishes costs about 10,000 Tanzanian shillings, which is a significant improvement in price.
THINGS TO DO:
The swing that hangs from the rocks close to the stairs leading down is one of my favorite aspects of the beach. It’s a lot of fun to experiment with swinging at various times of the day as the water rises. You can see a variety of impressive rock formations as you stroll along the beach. Natural tide pools abound, where you can see fish and crabs. Like most beaches, the main draws are lying in the sun and going swimming. It is beautiful, as are most of the beaches in Zanzibar, I will say.
THINGS TO NOTE:
I should mention that I don’t believe anyone who requires a wheelchair or walking assistance can easily access the entire Mtende beach area. The majority of the area is comprised of stairs, many of which are not very level. Additionally, the water current can be quite strong when the tide is rising. If you’re not paying attention, it can be dangerous in some places, especially with the rocks by the water. Watch out for dark areas of the water because there are a lot of sea urchins in the area.
