SUNSHINE MARINE LODGE, Matemwe (Zanzibar)

Sunshine Marine Lodge - A 4-star cliffside retreat with ocean views, PADI diving center, and Swahili-inspired cuisine

Sunshine Marine Lodge features 28 rooms across nine bungalows, each designed with Zanzibari-style décor and furnished balconies or verandas overlooking the Indian Ocean or lush gardens. The lodge includes three outdoor swimming pools, a private beach, and an on-site PADI 5-star dive center, Dive Point Zanzibar, offering courses and snorkeling trips to Mnemba Atoll (2 miles away). Guests can dine at the ocean-view restaurant, which serves Swahili-inspired cuisine with fresh seafood and local spices. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, mosquito nets, safety deposit boxes, and tea/coffee makers. The lodge provides airport shuttle services and free parking. A continental breakfast is available each morning at Sunshine Marine Lodge.

Pros

The PADI-certified dive center offers guided trips to Mnemba Atoll's coral reefs.

Private beach access with sun beds and umbrellas.

Three outdoor pools and daily yoga sessions.

Swahili-inspired restaurant using locally sourced seafood and spices.

Free airport shuttle and parking.

Cons

The cliffside location requires walking on uneven paths.

No spa services are listed among the amenities.