Zanzibar tour: Salaam Cave, Paje Beach & The Rock Restaurant

Swim with sea turtles, then spend the afternoon on two of Zanzibar's most famous stops.

This private full-day tour in Zanzibar strings together three distinct attractions: Salaam Cave Aquarium, where you swim with sea turtles for up to 30 minutes; Paje Beach, where you have roughly two hours to relax and meet locals; and The Rock Restaurant, an iconic dining spot built on a rock in the Indian Ocean, with time to explore or eat if you've booked a table. A live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and two other languages leads the route, and pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore cave, beach, and restaurant

• Swim with sea turtles at Salaam Cave
• Spend 30 minutes swimming and taking photos
• Travel to Paje Beach
• Explore Paje Beach for two hours
• Interact with local Zanzibaris
• Visit The Rock Restaurant
• Explore restaurant and surroundings
• Enjoy meal if reserved

The experience

The day starts at Salaam Cave, a natural sea turtle conservation sanctuary and swimming pool in Kizimkazi on Zanzibar's southern coast. You get up to 30 minutes in the water with the resident turtles: time enough to swim, photograph them and shoot short video clips. Changing rooms and toilets are on-site, so you can freshen up before the drive to the next stop.

Paje Beach, on the southeast coast, is where you spend roughly two hours. The beach is known for its white sand and turquoise water, and it draws kitesurfers from around the world, but the pace here is yours: you can swim, walk, or sit at one of the beachfront restaurants for a drink and watch the water. You'll meet locals who are accustomed to visitors and genuinely welcoming.

The final stop is The Rock Restaurant, an exclusive dining spot built on a rock in the Indian Ocean off Michamvi Pingwe beach. You have up to two hours to explore the restaurant and its surroundings, play with Masai people on the beach, or (if you've made a reservation) sit down to a meal and take your time with it. The setting is what makes it memorable: you're eating or drinking on a rock in the sea, with panoramic views across the water. The tour is timed to get you back to your hotel afterward, and the full 6 to 7 hours includes all travel time between stops.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• pickup included.
• bottled water.
• all fees for Salaam Cave, Paje Beach and The Rock Restaurant.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages.

Information

Lasts 6h–7h, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 100 per person, with live guides in 6 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and PolishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Zanzibar Crystal Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want your guide to coordinate the timing and transport between three stops (the sea turtle pool, Paje Beach, and a restaurant), so you move at your own pace rather than following a fixed schedule.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional1 verified traveler review

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly happens when you swim at Salaam Cave?

Salaam Cave is a natural sea turtle sanctuary and swimming pool where you enter the water with resident sea turtles for up to 30 minutes. You can swim alongside them, take photos and short videos, and explore the pool itself. Changing rooms and toilets are available on-site.

How much free time do you get at Paje Beach?

You have roughly two hours at Paje Beach to swim, walk, relax or grab a drink at one of the beachfront restaurants. The beach is one of Zanzibar's most famous and is known for its white sand and turquoise water.

Do you need to book a meal at The Rock Restaurant in advance?

The Rock Restaurant is included in the tour, and you have up to two hours there to explore the building and its surroundings or play on the beach. If you want to eat, you can make a reservation beforehand, and the tour timing allows you to finish your meal before heading back to your hotel.

Is transportation included, and where does pickup happen?

Private transportation and pickup are included in the tour price. Bottled water and all attraction fees are also covered.