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Chwaka bay: where Moses crossed the sea

by - April 03, 2024



 Why would anyone like to visit a sleepy fishing village? There are several reasons. Such beach towns are way less crowded. You get way better accommodation at lower prices. And the excitement of exploring the unknown is unmatched. And when all these reasons come together with an attractive resort, then you think no more and book 2 nights there. You take the big risk because that is what a true traveller does: take chances. Because some people really believe in exploring the unknown and follow the lesser known trail.



After reaching Chwaka bay, we realised it has some highly intriguing mythology attached to it... supposedly Moses walked across the bay to reach the mainland. The bay is so shallow that you can't even swim during high tide, something that Zanzibar is famous for. The periods of low tide and high tide are extremely dramatic and offer 180 degrees different experiences. During low tide, you need to walk for a couple of kilometres on the sea bed before you can touch the sea waves. During this time, all the aquatic flora and fauna lie exposed in the sun. These include the prickly sea urchins too. We saw lots of brittle stars and squid ink which was a first for us. While walking, you have to mind those innumerable prickly colonies.



In Chwaka bay however, there are a lot of crabs on the beach. By lot, I mean millions of them. Some tiny, some relatively bigger. Also, the water level doesn't get higher than knee level even during high tide. These conditions make the bay impossible for swimming.



However the landscape is truly mesmerising (where in Zanzibar is it not) and we truly cherished this off beat seaside experience on the African island.




Have you been to a beach which could not be accessed?

I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z


This post was created for the Blogaberry Creative (Monthly) Challenge.

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7 comments

  1. Yes I've been to a beach that is inaccessible, but we managed. We don't try this stunt often in India though because those untouched beaches are not touched by even the cleaning company.

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  2. Mandira you actually are a true traveller by heart as only a few like you can dig deep and try to find out uncovered areas of a popular tourist destination. This is indeed a quality to get appreciation.

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  3. I heard about Yarada Beach, near Visakhapatnam, which remains relatively unknown to tourists. Its golden sands, gentle waves, and stunning views of the Bay of Bengal make it an undiscovered paradise for beach enthusiasts.

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  4. Another amazing beach from Zanzibar! Your travels are amazing, Mandira. Millions of crabs sounds scary somehow.Wishing you many more travels around the globe.

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  5. Your vivid description of Chwaka Bay captures the essence of its unique charm and tranquility. The mythology, dramatic tides, and fascinating marine life make it an intriguing destination. Despite the lack of swimming opportunities, the mesmerising landscape and offbeat experience you shared are truly captivating. Your adventure in this lesser-known part of Zanzibar inspires a desire to explore and appreciate the hidden gems of the world.

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  6. Lonely beaches make me nervous probably from watching too many crime and thriller movies! Lovely pictures. Not inaccessible, but Ganpatipule beach is considered dangerous and people are asked to stay away. It's extremely beautiful though!

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  7. This place looks is serene has some awesome views. Definitely saving for future

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