Nakupenda Beach Zanzibar: Overview, When to Visit, Snorkeling and More
The Nakupenda Beach Nature Reserve Experience
A Quick Rundown
You can do three things in one trip at Nakupenda Beach:
- Relax on the lovely beaches.
- Snorkel with the marine life, and
- Enjoy a fantastic beach lunch before continuing to Prison Island, a former quarantine and sanctuary for tortoises.
Descriptions of a Typical Nakupenda Beach Tour
After being fetched from your inn, your first stop will be the Nakupenda beach. “Nakupenda,” which means “I love you” in Swahili, and no doubt you’ll feel loved with the soft sand on your feet, the soothing waves on your body, and the tender staff who will take care of your every whim.
Swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing can all be done on the crystal-clear seas. As a reward for diving, you’ll be treated to a gourmet lunch at Nakupenda beach that contains anything from shrimp to langoustine, squids, lobsters, and octopus, depending on what the natives have caught for the day, just for your delight. After saying your goodbyes to Nakupenda Beach, hop on a boat for a half-hour voyage to Prison Island, also notable as Changuu or Quarantine Island, and embark on your next journey.
A former British minister of Zanzibar bought the island in 1893 and had a jail complex built there, but it was never used for that purpose! Yellow fever cases were quarantined there.
Although the building is now in ruination, it is still being used as a tourist hotel. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet and interact with some of the world’s most giant tortoises at a wildlife sanctuary. As a donation from the governor of Seychelles in 1919, four Aldabra giant tortoises were sent hither.
On Prison Island, they realized it was a perfect breeding site, so they multiplied. There are a lot of tortoises around today, and many of them are descendants of the initial settlers! Visitors can also see tortoises of various ages at the facility’s nursery. One of the best ways to interact with kids of all ages!
The Following Steps are Included in Your Nakupenda Beach Tour Price:
- How to get to Nakupenda beach? Shuttle service from any hotel in Zanzibar to the Nakupenda beach
- Entrance fee to the Nakupenda beach
- Swimming kits
- Seafood beach lunch & soft drinks with fresh fruits and water are all included in the package price.
You’ll Need These Things If Going to Nakupenda Beach Stone Town:
A swimming suit and a towel are required.
Notes: Most people will find this adequate; however, those in wheelchairs will have to look elsewhere.
If You’re Looking for a Romantic Getaway in Zanzibar, Make a Day Trip to Nakupenda “I Love You” Island.
You must visit this most charming island; the Nakupenda beach if you ever get the chance. You’ve come to the correct place if your descry is for serene beaches, tranquil waves, see-through waters, and snowy white sands! The feeling of being on your private island is so genuine if your timing is right.
All days in Zanzibar are hot, and this one is no exception. The warmth on your skin is harsh and irritating. The thought of going swimming in the water is all you can concoct. Stone Town’s beaches, on the other hand, are overcrowded and lack the clarity and beauty you had hoped.
A 20-minute boat rides away from stone town to Nakupenda beach will take you to this beautiful “private” island with pristine sands and clear water perfect for snorkeling. Nakupenda beach is one of Zanzibar’s most stunning beaches; however, it’s unclear whether it’s an island or a sandbank.
Swahili’s equivalent of the English phrase “I Love You” is Nakupenda (in its native language). An actual day trip to a place called “I Love You” Island. Who would be opposed to the prospect of attending?
When Is the Best Time to Stop by Nakupenda Beach?
To visit Nakupenda beach, timing is everything. Visit in the early morning if you want to feel like being on your own! Thousands of tourists arrive on the island’s shoreline around noon, pitch their tents, and begin to enjoy the locally sourced food and little pop-up market.
However, if you’re hoping for some quietness, the early hours of the morning will be a completely different experience than midday. Nakupenda beach gets very congested because of the large number of people from Prison Island, which is only a short boat trip away. If you want to explore the island independently, you can reverse the order.
Because of the tides, Nakupenda beach can disappear entirely in the evening. The little white sandbank will be submerged during heavy tides until the following morning. As the day advances, the island shrinks even farther!
Nakupenda should be visited early in the morning! An experience that’s far more intimate and less crowded in the sand, our guide/boat driver was the first to set up a modest shade tent for ourselves and a few others. By the time we were on our way out, there must have been dozens of them. It didn’t feel like it was the same locus.
Snorkeling in the Nakupenda Beach
Pack your snorkeling gear if you plan to spend the day at Nakupenda beach since the locals say there are fantastic opportunities for snorkeling there as well. Unfortunately, the waves were too high for us to snorkel when we were there, and we missed out on some incredible marine life. Remember that the waves might make it challenging to snorkel at times.
The Nakupenda Beach Tourist’s Guide
SHADE IS NOT AVAILABLE: Throughout the second half of the day, you’ll see the balmy part of Nakupenda sandbank. Because there is no shade on the entire island, this is a severe problem. Prepare yourself for the sun’s ferocity. The equipment our chaperone organized, laying a wonderfully shady place for us, saved the day.
Bustling: Make sure you visit at the right time of day! The afternoons tend to be somewhat hectic. When tourists arrive on the island, it becomes substantially less enjoyable.
Fusing: It’s just a short distance from the famous Prison Island. It is possible to visit both islands in a single day, despite being crowded (it is one of Zanzibar’s most popular attractions).
Bring a lot of sunscreens: Even in the shade, the reflection of the white sands, its proximity to the equator, and the water almost guarantee a beautiful slight sunburn.
Dear Friend, I wish you all the best and safe travels!
Nakupenda Beach Map
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