1 / 2Paje
Elevation
5 m
Ideal stay
3 days
Nearest airport
Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), 50 km south; Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), 180 km south (accessible by ferry or domestic flight to Zanzibar)
About Paje
Best time to visit
Wildlife highlights
Things to do
Getting there
Nearest town: Jambiani, 8 km north — local Swahili village with shops and restaurants; Stone Town (Zanzibar City), 60 km west — historic UNESCO-listed town with cultural attractions and main commercial hub
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Paje?
Accommodation ranges from $20-40 per night in budget guesthouses to $150-400+ in mid-range resorts and luxury beachfront properties. Daily costs for food, activities, and transport average $40-80 for budget travelers, $100-200 for mid-range visitors. Kitesurfing lessons cost $50-80 per day; snorkeling trips $30-50; dhow sunset cruises $25-40. Many travelers combine Paje with Tanzania safari packages on SafariFind, which bundle beach time with northern circuit game drives.
What is the best time to visit Paje?
June to October (dry season) offers the best overall conditions with consistent trade winds, calm seas, and minimal rain. July-August is peak season with strong winds ideal for kitesurfing but higher prices and crowds. December-February brings warm temperatures (26-28°C) and attracts European winter escapees. November-May is wet season with occasional rain and stronger winds, but lower prices and fewer tourists. For kitesurfing specifically, June-August provides the strongest, most reliable winds.
What wildlife can you see at Paje?
Marine life includes sea turtles (green and hawksbill species nest on Zanzibar beaches), reef fish (groupers, snappers, parrotfish), octopuses, rays, and moray eels. Seabirds include African fish eagles, cormorants, kingfishers, and terns. Dolphins occasionally appear in deeper offshore waters. Tide pools teem with sea stars, sea cucumbers, crabs, and other invertebrates. Paje is primarily a beach and water destination, not a wildlife safari location — for Big Five viewing, book a Tanzania safari in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro.
How do you get to Paje?
Fly into Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), 50 km south of Paje (1-hour drive). Alternatively, fly into Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), then take a domestic flight or ferry to Zanzibar (2-3 hours total). From Stone Town, Zanzibar's main city, Paje is 60 km away via paved road (1.5-2 hour drive). Rent a car, hire a taxi, or use motorcycle taxis (boda-bodas) for local transport. Many Tanzania safari packages include flights to/from Zanzibar.