Local guide · Zanzibar
Fumba, Zanzibar: Menai Bay, Mangroves and Sandbanks
Written from Wise Yasir’s local perspective in Zanzibar. Details affected by weather, tides, schedules or availability should be reconfirmed before travel.
The short answer
Quick answer
Fumba is a peninsula southwest of Stone Town and the main departure point for Menai Bay dhow days, including Safari Blue. The water is sheltered, the bay is a conservation area, and it is roughly half an hour from town.
01
Why does Fumba matter to visitors?
Almost everyone who does a full-day dhow trip in the southwest leaves from here. Menai Bay is a conservation area of shallow reefs, mangrove channels, sandbanks that appear and disappear with the tide, and small uninhabited islands.
Its proximity to Stone Town makes it the easiest big day out on the island: an early pickup and you are on the water before the heat.
02
What happens on a Menai Bay day?
A typical dhow day combines sailing, snorkelling, a sandbank stop and a seafood lunch, with a mangrove lagoon visit when tide allows. Every element depends on the tide and the sea state on the day.
- Traditional dhow sailing
- Snorkelling on Menai Bay reefs
- Sandbank stop, tide permitting
- Seafood lunch on an island beach
- Mangrove lagoon when conditions allow
03
Is Fumba a place to stay?
It is increasingly developed, with a marina and new residential projects, but most visitors treat it as a departure point rather than a base. Staying in Stone Town and driving out for the day works well.
Frequently asked
Practical answers
How far is Fumba from Stone Town?+
Around half an hour by road, which is why most Menai Bay trips include a Stone Town or nearby hotel pickup.
Is Safari Blue the same as Menai Bay?+
Safari Blue is the best-known full-day dhow trip operating in Menai Bay. Other operators run similar days in the same waters.
