Anyone been to/kited in Zanzibar?

I spent a week there in june/july 2011 while I was working in Tanzania and loved it. We stayed in Paje at one of the many hotels near the kite beach. If I did it again I would either stay at Paje by kite, which had some awesome parties, or the accommodation at the Zanzibar kite centre if its completed (literally next door to Paje by Kite).

Conditions were fantastic, from memory we had wind just about every day. Most days it was between 15 - 20 knots from about 11am through to sunset. Really nice butter flat water at low tide, just have to look out for the sticks the locals catch seaweed on. Choppy at high tide with a few waves to play on out the back. Great setup at the kite centre with hammocks, couches and good people. Fantastic food at the restaurants on the beach and excellent local beer. Heaps to see and do around the island if the wind isn't blowing. The scenery is also postcard perfect.

gravydave check out the Aussie crew running kite and wildlife safaris to Zanzibar, Tanzania. Contact Trent, they have a lot of experience working in Africa and would definitely recommend them.

www.moontours.com.au
www.facebook.com/moontours

I'm not sure where you are getting your information or where abouts all these "every guest and room" is being robber that you talk about, but I can assure you that "entire hotels" are not being emptied, this is not a new crime wave. After working in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Tanzania as a guide that our clients can sleep at night without fear of being terrorised in Zanzibar and it is quite safe, all our guests are treated to an amazing experience.

We do not stay in holiday rentals or cheap back packers that may be at more risk and subject to petty crime and theft. We stay in nice areas and luxury hotels in Zanzibar, guests are encouraged to experience everything this island has to offer. Night markets in Stone Town are definitely a must see and day time island tours are great. Our guests are always supervised by professional guides and advised specifically of do's and do not's, for example walking lonely stretches of beach at night is to be refrained particularly if alone. Walking around dark alley ways of towns and quiet streets at night would be pretty silly, but this does not just apply to Zanzibar.

Thousands of European tourists and kiteboarders visit Zanzibar every year with few issues and seems the only people that have not discovered the magic of this place are the Aussies.

The African continent get's a bad wrap and of course there are places and even entire countries to stay away from but on the whole it is special place and somewhere that stays with you and keeps you coming back. There is no where like it on earth and perhaps you should come and experience it with us Kookaburrahz.

what makes you think i havent allready done a few seasons in zanzi?
want me to post my passport to you? bet ive lived there longer then you

I stayed 2 weeks in Paje last year in July.
Spot is fantastic at low tide (so flat but be careful of the sea urchin though) and choppy at high tide.
Nice little waves at the outer reef (1km out?) but the swell was small when we were there. Not worth bringing a surfboard IMO (you can rent one at the kite schools). Easy to book a taxi for a dwd (and cheap). Wind is consistent but lightish compare to what we're used to in WA. Guys ride 12m most of the time.

People are friendly. Lots of nice guesthouses and accommodation options. Food is awesome! Fresh fish and seafood everyday.

I wouldn't go all the way to Zanzibar from Australia only for kiting though. I think we've got a lot of other really good options for kiting closer to home (Asia, Mauritius,...). But definitely worth it if you're in the area.