The best place to stay for diving is in the northeast of the island, at a village called Kendwa. Kendwa also has the best swimming beach on the island, long enough for a 45-minute stroll, and not affected by the tide, unlike the north and east coast of the island whose beaches are fringed by a shallow coral ragstone shelf. There, at low tide, you have to walk several hundred metres over the sharp, urchin-covered rocks before reaching a depth of water that can be swum in. The ocean off Kendwa can be enjoyed 24/7.
There is a wide variety of accommodation at Kendwa, and below we give a selection of our favourites in each price range, all of which are right on the beach and mo more than a five-minute walk to the dive centre. 
Kendwa is a 60-minute taxi ride from the airport in Stone Town.

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Sunset beach - budget

A collection of 68 beach bungalows, beach apartments, and hilltop apartments. Room rates for two people are $87 in low season (April to June) and $98 the rest of the year and include breakfast. Triple rooms $118. There is an on-site restaurant and plenty of other restaurants in the vicinity. No pool. Next door to the dive centre. 

7-night package with transfers and dives from $965 per person based on two sharing here 

Palumbo Kendwa - Budget to Mid-range

 Composed of 30 rooms (6 Suites, 18 Junior Suites and 6 Standard) all fully air-conditioned, each room is fitted with a selection of traditional furniture, including sumptuous Swahili beds, draped with gauze netting and adorned daily with freshly-cut flowers. Every room also contains the necessary comforts of an en suite bathroom, ceiling fan, blow dryer and safe. All of our rooms have a terrace or a balcony with views of the tropical gardens and the ocean.

The structure offers a swimming pool surrounded by a garden where you can unwind–immersed in a display of exotic, colourful flowers. Enjoy refreshments from the poolside bar and restaurant. The main restaurant offers either a buffet or à la carte service, with choices of both traditional Swahili and Italian dishes. At every meal, a wide selection of meat, catch-of-the-day fish and vegetarian options. A sampling of delectable home-style desserts and exotic, fresh local fruit is always available. Special romantic dinners can be arranged at poolside or at the Terrace Restaurant.
A range of meal plans are available, from breakfast only, half board, and Soft All Inclusive. Breakfast only starts at $56 per person per night low season, $76 mid-season, $96 high season, $165 silly season between December 29th and January 6th.  

MY Blue - mid-range

Gold resort and spa -  mid-range +

4-star luxury with a range of room styles to chose from (14 Garden view, 38 Sea view, 7 Beach Suites, and 5 Deluxe Villas). With two restaurants and two bars, HB and All Inclusive meal plans, Gold has something for most pockets. The 70 sq. m. Gardenview rooms and Seaview rooms are spacious and luxurious. The food at the resort is the best on the beach. Breakfast and lunch are buffet meals with a wide selection of good food. Dinners move around from the main restaurant to around the pool and onto the beach. There is also a beachfront a la carte restaurant that should be booked in advance.
​See a 7-night dive itinerary here