THE LURE
On the southeast coast, Paje is by far the most famous and popular kiting spot on the island, yet just over ten years ago was merely a small fishing village. Paje has certainly blossomed into kiting heaven, but retains its authenticity away from the tourist areas in the north, keeping the vibes chilled for the kiting crew.
Endless downwinders, beautiful 10 - 14 metre weather, super fun waves out on the reef and various flat water conditions to be found on the lagoons closer to shore. This authentic little village on the southeast corner of Zanzibar retains a magic vibe for kitesurfers!
THE SET-UP
This area is still for the adventurer, with the northern half of the island being more built up, catering for the mainstream holidaymaker, which tends to suit kitesurfers just fine. Offering a more remote and cosy feel with a long, isolated beach, littered with smaller guesthouses and a variety of resorts, rather than big, busy hotels, this spot is also easily accessible with Zanzibar’s main international airport just an hour away.
Paje’s conditions attract kiters from all over the world, and you can count up to 150 riders out in an afternoon in the main peak seasons, though it never feels crowded because the lagoons extend for two kilometres and the best kiting area stretches along the beach for the same distance. If you’re prepared to venture a little way up or downwind, you’ll find all the space you could wish for.
Paje is unique in that you can kite at all states of tide, but the conditions change with the tides; each tidal state offering something special, so you’re probably going to have to stay two weeks to experience the range of conditions!
Photo: Kite Centre Zanzibar
Paje Beach is the main kitesurfing spot on the south coast where an offshore reef creates flat conditions on the huge lagoons at low tide, with growing chop as the tide rises and the water spills over the reef. At high tide you’ll find nice kickers closer to shore and during a neap tide there’s flat water all day. For six days every month the inner lagoon doesn’t even empty. The lagoons are as incredible for freestyle as they are for beginners, being soft and sandy underfoot.
If you’re looking for waves you’ll find an endless supply out on the reef that runs the length of the coast, from waist to over-head high for long downwinders and wave play. Locals are still managing to explore new sections, so you’ll definitely be kept amused on your holiday.
The downwinders here are rated really highly and wherever you stop you’ll pretty much be able to find a taxi to bring you back. The waves vary in size and break in both directions, so there’s something for all levels, whether you’re hoping to head out on your first downwinder, or improve your surfboard skills. Just don’t go alone and get some local advice from one of the schools first.
PHOTO / KiteWorldWide
WIND, WEATHER & WATER
Zanzibar is best January to February and June to August, but it’s generally good from mid-December to March and from June to September. Winds blow left to right in the winter season and switch during the summer season. Expect cross-on conditions around beachfront, Paje, 12 - 20 knots between December and March and 14 – 25 knots cross-on from the north between June and September. Average air temperatures are around 30°C / 86°F while the water averages 27°C / 80°F. On long days and downwinders wear a shorty.
SCHOOLS
KITE CENTRE ZANZIBAR teach all levels on the latest equipment from Duotone. They offer group lessons for all levels of riding, or private sessions for beginners or those wanting to master a particular trick - or foiling! There’s tuition for children above the age of eight, too.
Languages spoken by staff: English, Dutch, German and French
www.kitecentrezanzibar.com
info@kitecentrezanzibar.com
Photo: Kite Centre Zanzibar
KITEWORLDWIDE’S Center is in Jambiani. Offering the Red Monkey Lodge and Coral Rock Hotel, both directly on the spot and geared towards sustainable tourism. A two kilometre sandbank stretches out into the lagoon providing butter flat water.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
AQUAHOLICS ZANZIBAR teach all levels from absolute beginners to advanced riders and their lessons are conducted by highly experienced instructors using radio communication helmets. Using new season Liquid Force gear they also offer gear rental, guided downwinders, SUP / Surf rental, surf instruction and boat trips to the best waves!
www.aquaholics-zanzibar.com
info@aquaholics-zanzibar.com
AIRBORNE KITE & SURF VILLAGE teach all levels up to instructor level on Paje beach with a viewing deck, free wifi, beach-view swimming pool, storage, rescue boat, air compressor, showers, onsite restaurant, dive centre and kite/surf/SUP/landboard rentals. Guided downwinders, reef trips and live-aboard boat trips around the achipelago. Accommodation packages available in a brand new kite/surf Eco village that opened in 2015.
Languages spoken by instructors: English, German, Polish, Italian and Spanish.
www.airbornekitecentre.com
info@airbornekitecentre.com
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
Unique Kite & Surf Camps are a family run travel agency who specialise in organising kitesurf and surf camp packages for you to Zanzibar. With their extensive knowledge of the island they'll organise the perfect salty Zanzibar adventure experience. Get in touch, and let them take it from there!
www.unique-kitecamps.com
info@unique-kitecamps.com
ACCOMMODATION
Paje is a small village with hotels and guest houses, ranging from three to five star and all accommodation is pretty much right on the spot. Kite Centre Zanzibar is right on the beach, next to the Mr Kahawa lofts, which offer boutique living experiences right on the beach. They’re also the Mr Kahawa coffee shop, serving everything from espressos and lattes to a wide selection of seasonal food products that are made daily in their kitchen. Foodies will be at home here with toasted sourdough bread baked everyday which you can enjoy with freshly prepared dips and spreads.
Jambiani is eight kilometres south of Paje and is where the KiteWorldWide Best Pro Center and accommodation is located.
AIRBORNE KITE CENTRE & SURF VILLAGE
All Airborne Kite Centres are located on pristine stretches of kiteboarding coastline. These locations have been carefully chosen due to the many desirable qualities these stretches of coastline have to offer, this includes not only great, consistent winds for 9 months of the year but also pristine beaches and ideal conditions all-round!
Kite centre facilities and amenities, including Wi-Fi, Pool, Bar and Restaurant, Kite Zone and Pack-down areas. Equipment cleaning and Storage. Rescue facilities. Not to mention the latest music and a great atmosphere!
www.airbornekitecentre.com
info@airbornekitecentre.com
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
Unique Kite & Surf Camps are a family run travel agency who specialise in organising kitesurf and surf camp packages for you to Zanzibar. With their extensive knowledge of the island they'll organise the perfect salty Zanzibar adventure experience. Get in touch, and let them take it from there!
www.unique-kitecamps.com
info@unique-kitecamps.com
PHOTO / Paje By Night
NO WIND
If the wind doesn’t blow there’s no reason to fret! Zanzibar is a spice island rich in history and heritage and has a constantly improving tourist infrastructure. Take a cultural / historical tour and visit the colourful markets of Stone Town or, if you’re looking for something more adventurous, then swim with dolphins or go diving, SUPing, surfing, fishing or take a boat safari.
Nightlife isn’t too raucous in Paje but there are lovely restaurants as well as local set ups with beach boys cooking your food over a beach fire. You can survive on as little as $15 a day at local restaurants. Hotel restaurants are more expensive, though.
GET AROUND
Taxis are cheap and plentiful. A scooter is good for a day’s sight seeing. The main town of Stone Town is an hour from Paje. Crime is low here, but use common sense.
Currency
Tanzania Shilling (TZS): £1 = 2,700TZS / €1 = 2,000TZS / $1 = 1,800TZS Lots of ATM’s in Stone Town, but none in Paje.
FOOD & DRINK
Paje has a small supermarket, lovely restaurants as well as local ones with beach boys cooking your food over a beach fire. You can survive on as little as $15 a day at local restaurants. Hotel restaurants are more expensive. For parties hit Paje by Night.
AIRPORT
Zanzibar international airport (ZNZ Kisuani) is an hour from Paje in Stone Town. Alternatively, fly to Dar es Salaam (DAR) on the mainland and get the 20 – 30 minute ferry to Zanzibar.
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
Unique Kite & Surf Camps are a family run travel agency who specialise in organising kitesurf and surf camp packages for you to Zanzibar. With their extensive knowledge of the island they'll organise the perfect salty Zanzibar adventure experience. Get in touch, and let them take it from there!
www.unique-kitecamps.com
info@unique-kitecamps.com
Paje, Zanzibar features virtually untouched crystal-clear, tropical waters
