Bwejuu Beach
Bwejuu is a fairly typical Zanzibari coastal village and surrounding area where backpackers' hangouts and luxury establishments happily rub shoulders. The area is thus good for all budgets, and you can live like a sultan or much more simply depending on your means and tastes. There are a smattering of funky Rasta-run places, small local establishments, boutique hotels and larger resorts. There are also some good restaurants, but distances involved are a little further than they are in the other major tourist area, Nungwi/Kendwa in the northern part of Zanzibar.
The cache is located about 4.5km to the north of Bwejuu village on a fabulous beach (running between Bwejuu and Dongwe) which has been voted as one of the top 30 in the world. This broad white-sand beach runs continuously for around 10km northwards, fronted by a broad coral lagoon and backed by groves of coconut palms. Its open, fresh feel is its charm, with the soft sands stretching either way as far as the eye can see.
In amongst the palms lie simple thatched villages, whose inhabitants still rely on fishing and seaweed farming to earn a modest living. In between these and now occupying an increasing proportion of the coastline are various hotels, lodges and resorts. As a consequence there is relatively limited direct public access to the beach from the main road running along the east coast, but once on the beach of course there is unlimited access along it.
The South East Coast has much going for it. Less over-built than the Central East Coast (with the exception of a few extensive resorts in Dongwe), white sandy beaches lined with palm trees and a good sea-breeze which cuts mosquito numbers and provides some natural air-conditioning, the region is ideal for those in search of a relaxing beach holiday.
However, as with most of Zanzibar’s coast, the state of the tide has a dramatic effect on the beach and bathing in the sea at low-tide is not really possible on the South East Coast as at the sea recedes by up to a kilometre and is only accessible across sharp coral rocks. Seaweed farming is especially prevalent in this area as the villages are still very dependent on the beaches as their source of income, ie. many are ‘working’ beaches and the beach also acts as a convenient high street for residents moving by foot, bicycle or motorbike between one village and another.
Bwejuu has a lovely beach for most of the year. However, around Christmas it can get become heavily covered in seaweed. The area has some great snorkelling spots and is also a good central spot from which to explore both to the North and South by bicycle – many hotels will hire bicycles free of charge.
In this part of the island you won't be sharing this beach with many other tourists and at many times of day you will have the beach almost to yourself. Dusk is a particularly nice time as the light softens, temperature moderates and everyone goes home for dinner – then you can really enjoy some solitary - or romantic! – quality time and contemplation.
Getting to Bwejuu
Bwejuu is easily reachable from Zanzibar City by tourist minibuses for about USD 10 one way. Book through one of the many Stone Town hotels. Buses usually leave at 08h00 daily.
Daladalas (minibus share taxis – like matatus in Kenya) 324 and 340 head from the city to Bwejuu and take around an hour and a half to get there. They are cheap, reasonably safe, crowded and stop frequently along the way but certainly provide an interesting travel experience.
A taxi or hotel transfer bus from Stone Town (eg. the Old Fort) or the airport is the easiest option, but at around USD 50 each way, not the cheapest.
You can also hire a 4x4 for around USD 35 a day – that will give you unlimited options - and facilitate access to the (few) other caches in the area or on the way there!
To Find the Cache:
(Most direct) Park your car on the roadside @ S 06 11.929 E 039 31.913 and follow the track (for about 400m) which runs between the two vacant plots along the northern wall of the large vacant plot to the south.
(Less direct) Walk along the beach from any alternative access point whether public or via one of the hotels.
The cache, a small click ‘n’ lock box, is hidden in an obvious place at the end of this track where it meets the beach.
Although the cache location is hidden from view between the two walls, please take care not to be observed by muggles on the beach or using the track, and to replace the cache properly hidden in its hidey hole.