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Nakupenda Sandbank

Nakupenda Sandbank

Stone Town

Duration

3-4 hours

Tour Type

Private

Overview

Relax on the stunning Nakupenda Beach, a picturesque sandbank surrounded by crystal-clear waters. Enjoy swimming in the turquoise water, sunbathing, and a delicious seafood lunch served on the beach. A truly beautiful and tranquil experience.

Highlights

Relax on a paradise-like sandbank

Swim in the turquoise water

Enjoy fresh tropical fruits

Best Price Guarantee

Secure Payment

Free Cancellation

Itinerary

1

09:00 AM

Hotel Pickup

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Enjoy the scenic drive through the island's landscapes.

2

10:30 AM

Boat Ride

Board your private boat in Stone Town and enjoy the boat ride to Nakupenda Beach.

3

11:00 AM

Nakupenda Beach

Take in sights of paradise as you arrive at Nakupenda Beach.

4

12:00 AM

Seafood Lunch

If you booked the tour with the seafood lunch add-on we will serve you a delicious seafood lunch on the sandbank.

5

02:00 PM

Back to Stone Town

Our boat will take you back to Stone Town safely. Enjoy the scenic views of Nakupenda and Zanzibar's coastline during the ride.

6

02:30 PM

Hotel Transfer

Your driver will comfortably bring you back to your hotel.

7

04:00 PM

Arrive at the hotel

Return to your hotel with a heart full of memories.

What's Included

Private boat

All snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel)

Fresh tropical fruits and drinks

Life jackets

All entrance fees & taxes

Not Included

Personal expenses

Tips and gratuities

Underwater camera rental

Alcoholic beverages

Photo Gallery

Traveler Reviews

"I booked the excursion to Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach as a surprise for my brother and his wife on their honeymoon. It was incredible! They made it very easy for me to arrange the surprise from..."

SM

Silvia MR

October 2025

"We booked the two days experience wonders of the north. First day we swam with dolphins, did snorkelling, spent more than one hour on a paradisiac sandbank and had lunch on the beach before visiting t..."

MP

Matilde Pighi

November 2025

"We had 36hrs in Zanzibar and booked two private tours with Rafiki Tours - a short walking tour of Stone Town and the Nakupenda/Prison Island Tour. All logistics were smooth and communication with the..."

LW

Leila Whitworth

September 2025

"These were unforgettable excursions. We visited Member Island, Nakupenda Island, Stone Town, Prison Island, Blue Lagoon, Pungume Island, and Salaam Cave with Rafiki Tours. They were always attentive t..."

J

Julia

June 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Nakupenda Beach is a stunning sandbank that appears at low tide just off the coast of Stone Town. The name "Nakupenda" means "I love you" in Swahili and once you see it, you'll understand why. It's one of the most beautiful and photogenic spots in Zanzibar.
Nakupenda is a natural sandbank that appears at low tide. We schedule the tour around the tide so you get the best experience, but the exact size and shape of the sandbank can vary from day to day.
The seafood lunch is an optional add-on available for a surcharge. The base tour includes fresh tropical fruits and drinks. If you'd like the seafood lunch, we recommend booking it in advance.
Yes! Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour. The waters around the sandbank are clear and shallow, making it a great spot for a relaxed snorkel.
The boat departs from Stone Town and the ride takes approximately 20–30 minutes each way.
We recommend bringing swim wear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided by us.
Yes! We offer popular combo options: You can add a Stone Town Walking Tour or combine it with a Prison Island visit to see the giant tortoises. Both combos come at a discounted price.
Absolutely. The calm, shallow waters make Nakupenda one of our most family-friendly tours. Children aged 3–7 can join at a reduced rate, and life jackets are available in smaller sizes.
Safety comes first. We always check the weather forecast the evening before and if conditions are too rough, we'll offer you the choice to reschedule to another day or receive a full refund. Please note that weather on Zanzibar can change quickly, so on rare occasions conditions may shift once a tour is already underway.
Tips are not included in the tour price but are always appreciated by your guide and boat crew if you enjoyed the experience.
Yes, the tour can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the start time. Just send us a message on WhatsApp or an email with your booking reference and we will issue a full refund to the original payment method.
The remaining 80% can be paid after the tour in cash (we accept euros, dollars and tanzanian shillings with their respective rates) or by card in advance (+5% fee). If you would like to pay by card please let us know the day before the tour. Alternatively, you can pay the full amount by card when booking without any fees.

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