Zanzibar has an international reputation for its magnificent white-sand beaches, stunning turquoise waters, and dreamy island getaways, but beyond the turquoise sea is a deeper and meaningful narrative shaped by tradition, adaptation, and the age-old relationship between community and ocean.
For generations, the island’s coastal communities have hunted, gathered, and lived alongside the spectacular coral reefs that surround the island. With climate change and increasing pressures on this fragile relationship being tested, Zanzibar’s fishing communities are emerging as valued stewards of their marine environments and ecosystems.
A deep-rooted relationship with the ocean
Fishing villages such as Kizimkazi, Bweleo, and Nungwi show that the ocean is more than just a source of sustenance — it is a way of life. The sea knowledge is passed down in the community from generation to generation, whether it is casting a handmade net, tide and weather knowledge, or sailing on traditional wooden dhows. Sunrise still sees traditional wooden dhows sailing over the horizon at dawn, and woven fishing baskets are still used as they not only have cultural significance, but they are also practical and sustainable to use.
This ancestral understanding of marine rhythms means that many local fishers have, for generations, acted as de facto stewards of the reef — practicing restraint, fishing in harmony with the seasons, and recognizing the ocean’s limits.
Modern Challenges Below the Surface
But even the most sustainable traditions will be impacted. Increased sea temperatures, coral bleaching, and the presence of industrial fishing vessels — often illegally — have a severe impact on fish stocks and marine biodiversity. Poverty and limited alternatives have, in some cases, led to unsustainable practices like overfishing and destructive gear, not out of choice, but necessity.
This delicate balance between survival and sustainability hangs in the balance.
Leading the Way in Conservation
Thankfully, hope is not lost. Indeed, Zanzibar is emerging as a model in community-based marine conservation. Throughout the island, local fishers are collaborating with NGOs, marine scientists, and governmental partners to restore associated reef health, while the fishers are still able to earn their livelihoods.
For example, the Menai Bay Conservation Area is situated near the coastal fishing village of Kizimkazi. Not only was the area established with the local communities and support from government and non-profit partners, but it was Zanzibar’s first Marine Protected Area. With the implementation of no-take zones, fish stocks are rebounding, and local areas that are closed are reporting better catches, proving that conservation and extractive practices can co-exist.
In Bweleo, local women-led groups are growing seaweed and cultivating oysters as additional income sources, reducing pressure on capture fisheries and lifting the status of women in a male-dominated fishery industry.
Eco-Tourism That Gives Back
As more and more travelers look for authentic and responsible experiences, Zanzibar’s fishing communities are opening the doors to their villages and boats to locally (and eco) sourced tourism. Whether it’s sailing a dhow in the sunset, helping pull in a net, or kayaking a mangrove with a local guide, these experiences give travelers a unique insight into Zanzibar’s cultural and ecological wealth.
Importantly, however, it brings in much-needed income and provides an economic incentive to conserve rather than to exploit. Many hotels and resorts in Zanzibar, including all-inclusive properties, are now partnering with local communities to offer cultural excursions, source seafood sustainably, and support reef restoration projects.
Azao Resort & Spa: Where Comfort Meets Conscious Travel
Located on the island’s serene northeast coast, Azao Resort & Spa offers more than a luxurious getaway — it’s a place where comfort and sustainability meet. Visitors have the opportunity to experience top-tier amenities as they immerse themselves in the island’s culture and natural heritage. Azao works closely with local artisans and communities, and offers eco-conscious experiences that help protect the very beauty that makes Zanzibar so special.
Whether you’re relaxing by the ocean, enjoying locally inspired cuisine, or taking a reef tour, your stay supports the island’s ongoing journey toward sustainable tourism and marine conservation.
Final Thoughts: Protecting What Matters
Zanzibar’s coral reefs rank among the richest and most diverse marine ecosystems in the Indian Ocean. They feed families, protect coastlines, and inspire awe in all who visit. But their future depends not only on science and funding, but on the wisdom, traditions, and determination of the islanders who have lived in rhythm with the sea for generations.
By supporting these communities — whether through ethical tourism, responsible hotel choices, or simple curiosity and respect — we help ensure that Zanzibar’s marine treasures endure.
When you visit Zanzibar, go beyond the beach. Connect with the locals and hear the experiences that shape their lives. And remember that paradise is more than a view — it’s a relationship between people and place, passed down through time and protected by those who call it home.
To read more blogs, click here: 10 Reasons Zanzibar Is the Jewel of the Indian Ocean
