Blue Lagoon Snorkelling, Starfish and Maalum Cave, Paje

The Blue Lagoon of Chwaka Bay

The Blue Lagoon lies in the calm water of Chwaka Bay, off the tip of the Michamvi peninsula on the east coast of Zanzibar. Protected from the open ocean, the bay stays flat even when the wind blows on the Paje side, and the lagoon itself is a patch of coral heads in clear, warm water a few metres deep. Boats leave from the beach at Michamvi Kae and reach the reef in about twenty minutes, with mangroves and the green coast behind you.

Snorkelling in the Blue Lagoon is easy and suits beginners: the water is calm, the coral is close to the surface and the guide stays with the group, pointing out parrotfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, sea urchins and the occasional octopus. You spend about an hour in the water. Masks, snorkels and fins are included; a life vest is available for anyone who wants extra confidence. Sightings vary with the season and the tide and are never guaranteed.

The starfish sandbank

Close to the lagoon, a shallow sandbank appears at low tide where large red-knobbed starfish rest on the pale sand in knee-deep water. It is one of the most photographed sights on the east coast of Zanzibar: dozens of bright orange and red stars scattered across the turquoise shallows, easy to see from the boat and from the water. The visit lasts about half an hour and depends on the tide, which is why the departure time of this tour varies between dates.

Please help us keep the starfish healthy. They breathe through their skin and die quickly out of the water, so look, photograph and admire them where they lie, never lift them above the surface and never stack them for a picture. Our guides explain this at the start and show you how to get the best photos with the starfish still in the water.

The Rock at Michamvi Pingwe

Back on the Pingwe side of the Michamvi peninsula the tour stops at The Rock, the small restaurant that stands on a coral outcrop a short way off the beach. At low tide you can walk across the sand to its base; at high tide it is surrounded by water and reached by a small boat. With the turquoise lagoon and the white line of the reef behind it, the view is the classic east-coast photo, and this stop of about twenty minutes is here for exactly that.

The restaurant itself is not part of the tour, and lunch is served on Paje Beach instead, but if you want to eat here on another day the guide can explain how to reserve. The beach at Pingwe is also a pleasant place to walk for a few minutes before the drive south to Paje.

Paje Beach and lunch on the sand

Paje is the long white beach at the centre of the south-east coast, about an hour by road from Stone Town. A shallow lagoon stretches out to a reef far offshore, seaweed farmers work the flats at low tide and the steady afternoon wind has made it a kitesurfing favourite. The village behind the palms is relaxed and friendly, with small cafes and guesthouses rather than large resorts.

Lunch is included and served at a beach restaurant in Paje, typically grilled fish or chicken with rice, salad and fruit; vegetarian options are available if you tell us when booking. Drinks at lunch are not included. There is time to swim or stroll on the sand after the meal, and the best time to swim at Paje Beach is around high tide, when the water reaches the shore.

Maalum Cave, the freshwater pool near Paje

Maalum Cave is a natural limestone sinkhole a short drive from Paje, where a pool of clear, cool freshwater lies open to the sky under hanging roots and rock. Steps lead down to a wooden deck and the water shades from pale green at the edge to deep turquoise in the middle, so a swim here after a day in the salt water is the perfect finish. Visits run in time slots with limited numbers, which keeps the cave quiet, and the tour books the slot for you.

Is Maalum Cave worth visiting? Yes, especially in the afternoon light, when the sun reaches the water. Allow about an hour. Bring a towel and a dry change of clothes, and note that the pool is deep, so non-swimmers can use a float or enjoy the view from the deck. Maalum Cave opening hours run through the day, and the entrance is included in this tour.