Michamvi Sunset Bay is a friendly, mid-priced beachfront hotel at Michamvi Kae, on the peninsula that forms the south-east tip of Zanzibar. It is a four-class property, and guests rate it highly for service and cleanliness. The hotel is compact, with about twenty rooms, so it has the atmosphere of a small lodge, but it has the facilities of a bigger hotel. Rooms are sea-view Standard Doubles, which can sleep four with a king or twin beds, and Deluxe Rooms for couples, all with air conditioning, ceiling fans, a furnished balcony or patio, an electric kettle, a safe, free bottled water and very fast free wifi. There are two restaurants serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with local and international dishes, and a beach bar, terrace and garden for sunset drinks. Dinners can be arranged in different places, including on the sand, and a full-board option is available. The outdoor pool has loungers and umbrellas, there is a children’s pool, and the spa offers massage, manicures, pedicures and body scrubs. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for guests, beach volleyball is on the sand, and boat trips and bicycle rentals can be arranged at the front desk.
Location and getting around
Michamvi Kae is a village and beach on the south-eastern peninsula. The beach is a short walk from the hotel, the Michamvi sunset viewpoint is about three minutes by car, and Pingwe Beach is four. Paje and Jambiani, the east coast’s kitesurfing and village beaches, are around twenty minutes by car, and Stone Town and the airport are further, roughly an hour and three-quarters.
A round-trip airport shuttle can be arranged for a fee. Taxis and hire cars are the usual way to get around, and the staff can arrange trips to Jozani Forest, spice farms and Stone Town.
The rooms
The two types are easy to choose between. Standard Doubles are bigger on paper and suit a family of three or four, while Deluxe Rooms are for couples who want a quiet sea-view retreat. All rooms have a balcony or patio and a ceiling fan as well as air conditioning. Reception hours are limited in the evening, and check-in ends at ten at night, so tell the hotel if your flight is late.
Tides and the beach
The east coast is tidal. At low tide the sea retreats across a wide flat, and walkers, seaweed farmers and fishermen share the shoreline. At high tide the beach is lovely for swimming. Check the tide before planning swims and snorkelling trips, and use the pool when the water is out. Seaweed can wash up at some times of year.
Who it suits and what to know: Michamvi Sunset Bay suits families, couples and friends who want a comfortable east coast base with attentive staff, without the price of a luxury lodge. It is quieter than the north-coast party beaches, so night-time entertainment is limited. Diving, kayaking and snorkelling are available nearby. Check which meal plan your rate includes. The long dry season from June to October and the short dry spell in January and February are the most reliable for sun, while March to May brings the long rains and lower prices.
Why stay here
- ✓Beachfront with sea-view rooms
- ✓Two restaurants and a beach bar
- ✓Outdoor pool and children’s pool
- ✓Spa with massage and scrubs
- ✓Free fast wifi
- ✓Kayaks and paddleboards
- ✓Beach volleyball and bicycle rental
- ✓Airport shuttle for a fee
Good questions
Where is Michamvi Sunset Bay?+
It is on the beach at Michamvi Kae on Zanzibar’s south-east coast, about an hour and three-quarters from the airport. The sunset viewpoint is a few minutes away by car.
Is it good for families?+
Yes. It has a children’s pool, sea-view rooms that sleep up to four and a relaxed beachfront setting, though night-time entertainment is limited.
Is the beach good for swimming?+
The east coast is tidal, so swimming is best at high tide. At low tide the sea retreats a long way, so use the pool or plan a trip around the tide.
