The Surf Window

Zanzibar Paje

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Reef breakIntermediate

The kitesurfing capital of East Africa, Paje's reef and beach break has consistent waves on the Indian Ocean's SE swell window, warm, turquoise, and largely uncrowded outside of the kite community.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)

Wind

W

Offshore

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

June–October

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Both

Bottom

Reef and sand (inside)

Shape

Peeling right walls outside; softer inside beach break

Length

60–120m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate
  • •Why: The reef can be shallow at low tide and the outside break requires confident paddling through the kitesurfers

Hazards

  • •Kitesurfers everywhere, coordinate to avoid collisions
  • •Shallow reef at low tide
  • •Strong tidal currents across the flat

Local Tips

  • •Surf in the morning before the trade winds that bring the kiters, the window is short but clean
  • •Several surf-friendly guesthouses operate on the Paje beachfront

Location

Map showing the location of Zanzibar Paje in Zanzibar, Tanzania

-6.3197, 39.5469