Zanzibar: Transparent Kayak & Drone Photos from Kendwa Beach

Paddle clear waters at Kendwa beach see marine life below and capture it all by drone

You’ll paddle a transparent kayak over Zanzibar’s crystal waters, watching tropical fish glide beneath you as your guide points out hidden details. With drone photos capturing your adventure from above—and all gear plus pickup sorted—you’ll come away salty, sun-warmed, and probably grinning.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle from your accommodation in Zanzibar, all kayaking gear (including transparent or heart-shaped kayaks), life jackets for non-swimmers, guidance from a licensed local expert throughout your paddle at Kendwa and Nungwi beaches, plus professional drone photography—and you’ll leave with a little souvenir jersey as well.

Traveler reviews

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Transparent kayak and drone adventure

• Meet your guide
• Choose transparent or glass-bottom kayak
• Paddle through Nungwi and Kendwa beaches
• Observe marine life beneath kayak
• Enjoy peaceful kayaking experience
• Capture aerial footage with professional drone

The Experience

You know that sound when your paddle dips into water—sort of a soft plop, then silence? That’s what I remember first about kayaking off Kendwa Beach in Zanzibar. The guide, Salim, handed me a heart-shaped transparent kayak (I grinned—didn’t expect that) and showed me how to balance before we pushed off. The sun was already high but not too hot, just enough to make the sand smell warm and salty. We glided out past a couple of fishing boats bobbing nearby. I could see tiny fish darting under my feet through the glassy bottom—honestly, it was a little hypnotic.

Salim kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed: “See those blue ones? Parrotfish,” he said. I tried to repeat the Swahili name back to him and he laughed—probably butchered it. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for the slap of water on plastic and some distant music drifting from shore. Then the drone buzzed overhead—kind of funny, actually, seeing yourself from above like that. It felt less staged than I expected; we just paddled around while the drone guy waved instructions from the beach (he had this big floppy hat that kept blowing sideways).

I didn’t really think about safety until later—I’m not much of a swimmer—but they gave us proper life jackets and made sure everyone was comfortable before heading out. The best part? When we drifted near a patch of coral and Salim slowed us down so we could watch these neon fish flickering below. I still think about that view sometimes when I close my eyes at home. We finished up with sandy feet and salt on our skin, kind of tired but happy. The souvenir jersey they handed out at the end is still hanging in my closet—bright yellow letters spelling “Zanzibar.” Not sure if I’ll ever wear it outside but it makes me smile every time.

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the transparent kayak tour?

Yes, pickup is included for this activity.

Do I need to know how to swim for this Zanzibar kayak experience?

No, life jackets are provided for anyone who can't swim.

Where does the tour start in Zanzibar?

The tour starts near Malika Hotel in Kendwa, next to "Jambo" snack bar.

Are children or infants allowed on this kayaking trip?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Will there be a guide during the kayak tour?

Yes, a licensed local guide will accompany you throughout.

Can service animals join this activity?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

How are photos taken during the trip?

A professional uses a drone to capture aerial footage as you paddle.