Seaweed and Sea Shells: Bweju Beach

Pilot Guides Beach, East Africa, Essentials, Zanzibar

Beach Essentials

Where: Bweju beach, Zanzibar Island, East Africa
When: July – beautiful & warm and avoids the storms
Happenings: Collect rare edible seaweed, visit the spice plantations
Remember to bring: Your own sushi set

Zanzibar, known locally as the Spice Island, is off the coast of Tanzania. It was the former commercial centre of East Africa and the last place to abolish slavery. On the eastern coast of Zanzibar, Bweju is an unspoilt haven.

Climate

Tanzania has two rainy seasons: the long rains are December to March, and are often accompanied by severe storms. The short rains are November to January. The best time to visit Zanzibar is between July and October.

Highlights

– Visit the spice plantations
The fragrance of cinnamon, saffron, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamon and coconut wafts on the breeze. If you like it hot you’ve come to the right place.

– Beautiful sea shells
Examine exquisite sea shells all along the shore – but be sure not to take the shells home, as the coastline is damaged by tourists claiming them as souvenirs.

– Collect seaweed
Seaweed is an important commodity and the locals collect it from the beach daily. It’s not for their consumption, but is exported to the Japanese market.