Horse Ride & Turtle Swim in Nungwi Beach: 2025 Review
You’re actually on Zanzibar’s famous Nungwi Beach, right? The water, you know, is pretty much that kind of perfect blue you always see in pictures. The sand, well, is just incredibly white and sort of soft under your feet. This place is, like, a really big deal for travelers, and honestly, for a very good reason. We’re talking about an adventure that, frankly, mixes two amazing things: a horse ride right on the water’s edge and, you know, swimming with sea turtles. This review is basically my way of giving you the lowdown on the 2025 ‘Horse Ride + Swimming with Turtles’ experience, sort of sharing what it’s really like, to be honest.
Getting on a Horse Along the Ocean’s Edge
So, first, the horse riding part is obviously a major draw for lots of people. You kind of get to choose a horse that seems right for you, and honestly, the people helping are really friendly and stuff. These horses, as a matter of fact, are super used to the beach setting and all that. They just walk calmly along the shoreline, pretty much without a single care in the world. As I was saying, feeling the gentle sea spray on your face while you are on a moving horse is, like, a completely different and awesome feeling. The sound of the hooves softly thudding on the damp sand is, you know, sort of really soothing, actually. This whole experience, you know, tends to last for about an hour, which is basically the perfect amount of time to get comfortable and just take in all the amazing views and things like that.
“Honestly, riding a horse as it steps into the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean is, like, a moment that literally feels like it’s out of a movie. You just feel very connected to the animal and the incredible nature all around you.”
The guides who walk with you are, you know, more or less always ready to take pictures for you, so you can really just relax and enjoy the ride itself. They typically lead the horses, so even if you’ve never ridden before, it’s actually super safe and pretty much foolproof. The path they take you on gives you, like, a really great look at the Nungwi coastline, with the local dhow boats sailing by in the distance. At the end of the day, it’s just a very peaceful and kind of picturesque way to see the beach from a different angle.
Getting Friendly with Gentle Giants at the Mnarani Aquarium
Next, you’re pretty much off to the Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond, which a lot of people just call the turtle aquarium. Honestly, this place is not your typical fancy aquarium at all, you know. It’s, like, a natural lagoon that is just a little ways back from the main ocean. The water in here, well, is a really beautiful green-blue, and it’s literally full of green and hawksbill turtles just swimming around. Getting into the water with them is, frankly, kind of incredible and sort of surreal. They aren’t scared of people at all; in fact, they seem almost curious, you know, sort of swimming right up to you to check you out. You can, like, feed them seaweed, which they absolutely love, by the way.
As a matter of fact, their gentle way of taking the food right from your hand is pretty much something you will not forget anytime soon. You can just sort of float in the calm water as these big, old creatures glide by you. The whole setting is just incredibly calm and relaxing. It’s a really unique chance to get very close to animals that you usually only see in documentaries and stuff. For example, some of the turtles are really big and have obviously been around for a long time. You can sort of see the wisdom in their old eyes, which is really cool.
Read our full review: [Nungwi Beach Horse Ride + Turtle Swim Full Review and Details]
Smart Pointers for Your Nungwi Beach Day Out
Okay, so if you are thinking of doing this, here are just a few things to keep in mind, alright? You should really bring some reef-safe sunscreen because the sun in Zanzibar is, you know, incredibly strong, even on a cloudy day. A waterproof camera or maybe a phone in a waterproof case is, like, an absolute must for getting some really good pictures of everything. To be honest, booking way in advance, especially during the busy season from June to October, is a really smart move to make. This adventure is, like, pretty good for families, but honestly, the horse ride might have an age or a weight limit, so you should probably check on that first, you know.
- What to Wear: So, you should just have your swimsuit on under some light clothes, like a t-shirt and shorts, to make switching between activities really easy and quick.
- Footwear: Anyway, water shoes can be pretty useful for the turtle lagoon, as the bottom can be a bit rocky in some spots.
- Hydration: Obviously, bring a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated, as it can get really hot during the day.
As for what else to wear, well, a hat and sunglasses are pretty much non-negotiable for protecting yourself from the sun. The whole day can take up a few hours, so you just want to be as comfortable as possible, right? Also, just have a bit of cash on you for small things, like maybe a fresh coconut drink from a local vendor afterward or for tipping your guides if you feel like they did a great job, which, honestly, they probably will.
Mixing the Two Activities: Is it a Good Deal?
So, the big question is, should you actually do both activities together in one go? Honestly, the package deal is usually pretty good value for your money. It sort of saves you the hassle of booking two totally separate things, and sometimes it’s even just a little bit cheaper, which is always nice. The timing, however, is something you really have to think about, okay? You know, you need to plan your day so you have enough time for both without feeling rushed at all. The horse ride, for instance, is often best in the morning or late afternoon when it’s a bit cooler out. Likewise, the turtle sanctuary can get a bit busy around midday, so, you know, planning around that is probably a good idea to avoid the crowds.
At the end of the day, combining them definitely makes for a really full, exciting day, but just make sure you have the energy for it. If you’re someone who likes a more relaxed pace, you could, for instance, split them over two different days. On the other hand, if you only have a limited amount of time in Nungwi, getting them both done together is, like, a really efficient way to experience two of the best things the area has to offer. So, basically, it just depends on your own travel style and how much you want to pack into a single day.
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Nungwi Beach Horse & Turtle Tour])
A Quick Look at the Good Work They Do
It is actually pretty great to know that part of your experience kind of helps out a good cause. The Mnarani pond, as a matter of fact, isn’t just a place for tourists to see turtles and snap photos. It’s basically a real conservation project that does a lot of good. They actually take in turtles that have been accidentally caught in fishing nets and help them get better in a safe space. Once the turtles are healthy and strong again, they are, you know, released back into the big, open ocean where they belong.
So, when you pay to go in and swim with them, you’re kind of helping fund this very important work, seriously. Honestly, it makes the whole experience feel just a little bit more meaningful, you know? You’re not just having fun and making memories; you’re also sort of giving something back to the local wildlife and supporting the local community. The people who work there are clearly very passionate about the turtles, and they are, like, always happy to tell you about each turtle’s story if you ask them. It adds, you know, another layer to the visit that goes beyond just the surface-level fun stuff.
