Currently working to fund my gap year and I'm tossing up between a few spots (Zanzibar, Cocos, Mauritius, Port Douglas) and can realistically only pick one I've been to Mauritius before and have heard plenty about Port Douglas and the Cocos but it would be nice to hear from someone who's been to Zanzibar (best spots, where to stay, eat etc...)

I spent a week there in june/july 2011 while I was working in Tanzania and loved it. We stayed in Paje at one of the many hotels near the kite beach. If I did it again I would either stay at Paje by kite, which had some awesome parties, or the accommodation at the Zanzibar kite centre if its completed (literally next door to Paje by Kite).

Conditions were fantastic, from memory we had wind just about every day. Most days it was between 15 - 20 knots from about 11am through to sunset. Really nice butter flat water at low tide, just have to look out for the sticks the locals catch seaweed on. Choppy at high tide with a few waves to play on out the back. Great setup at the kite centre with hammocks, couches and good people. Fantastic food at the restaurants on the beach and excellent local beer. Heaps to see and do around the island if the wind isn't blowing. The scenery is also postcard perfect.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Kiting-in-East-Africa/?SearchTerms=zanzibar
Try that mate. Inbox if you have specific questions, I was there in February 2013.

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gravydave said..

Currently working to fund my gap year and I'm tossing up between a few spots (Zanzibar, Cocos, Mauritius, Port Douglas) and can realistically only pick one I've been to Mauritius before and have heard plenty about Port Douglas and the Cocos but it would be nice to hear from someone who's been to Zanzibar (best spots, where to stay, eat etc...)

hey check out kiteworldmag/travel all African and worldwide destinations with all the info you need ,

Thanks for all the info guys

gravydave check out the Aussie crew running kite and wildlife safaris to Zanzibar, Tanzania. Contact Trent, they have a lot of experience working in Africa and would definitely recommend them.

www.moontours.com.au
www.facebook.com/moontours

why does no one ever mention entire hotels being robbed as in every guest and room periodicly thru out the season?

I'm not sure where you are getting your information or where abouts all these "every guest and room" is being robber that you talk about, but I can assure you that "entire hotels" are not being emptied, this is not a new crime wave. After working in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Tanzania as a guide that our clients can sleep at night without fear of being terrorised in Zanzibar and it is quite safe, all our guests are treated to an amazing experience.

We do not stay in holiday rentals or cheap back packers that may be at more risk and subject to petty crime and theft. We stay in nice areas and luxury hotels in Zanzibar, guests are encouraged to experience everything this island has to offer. Night markets in Stone Town are definitely a must see and day time island tours are great. Our guests are always supervised by professional guides and advised specifically of do's and do not's, for example walking lonely stretches of beach at night is to be refrained particularly if alone. Walking around dark alley ways of towns and quiet streets at night would be pretty silly, but this does not just apply to Zanzibar.

Thousands of European tourists and kiteboarders visit Zanzibar every year with few issues and seems the only people that have not discovered the magic of this place are the Aussies.

The African continent get's a bad wrap and of course there are places and even entire countries to stay away from but on the whole it is special place and somewhere that stays with you and keeps you coming back. There is no where like it on earth and perhaps you should come and experience it with us Kookaburrahz.

?If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.?
James Michener

what makes you think i havent allready done a few seasons in zanzi?
want me to post my passport to you? bet ive lived there longer then you

my brother lived in tanzania, had his charter boat stationed there

his final word on the matter: "don't ever go to the east coast of africa"

fine, there's a tourist company operating there, and they want your money

so go, trust them to look after you

it's cool, but suddenly it's not

there's a bunch of terrorists in your hotel or a gang at the market that don't like westerners

but your friendly tour guides will protect you, they know their **** (lol)

remember where zanzibar is, an island just off tanzania and a little bitty bit south of, ahem, pirate city...

screams magnet to me, for terrorists

tunisians are also nice folks

just the other day a museum full of european and two japanese tourists got a real nice "hi, welcome to tunisia"

good luck if you're going

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kiterdad said..
my brother lived in tanzania, had his charter boat stationed there

his final word on the matter: "don't ever go to the east coast of africa"

fine, there's a tourist company operating there, and they want your money

so go, trust them to look after you

it's cool, but suddenly it's not

there's a bunch of terrorists in your hotel or a gang at the market that don't like westerners

but your friendly tour guides will protect you, they know their **** (lol)

remember where zanzibar is, an island just off tanzania and a little bitty bit south of, ahem, pirate city...

screams magnet to me, for terrorists

tunisians are also nice folks

just the other day a museum full of european and two japanese tourists got a real nice "hi, welcome to tunisia"

good luck if you're going

What a load of ****.

Had the most amazing kiting sessions in Zanzibar last year. Friendly people, amazing beaches, good food and beer and a steady wind. My brother runs a dive school and yacht charter based out of Kendwa Rocks (North of the island). Best diving I've ever done.

I stayed 2 weeks in Paje last year in July.
Spot is fantastic at low tide (so flat but be careful of the sea urchin though) and choppy at high tide.
Nice little waves at the outer reef (1km out?) but the swell was small when we were there. Not worth bringing a surfboard IMO (you can rent one at the kite schools). Easy to book a taxi for a dwd (and cheap). Wind is consistent but lightish compare to what we're used to in WA. Guys ride 12m most of the time.

People are friendly. Lots of nice guesthouses and accommodation options. Food is awesome! Fresh fish and seafood everyday.

I wouldn't go all the way to Zanzibar from Australia only for kiting though. I think we've got a lot of other really good options for kiting closer to home (Asia, Mauritius,...). But definitely worth it if you're in the area.