The north coast is the “party” side of the island so if you’re looking for some nightlife combined with sun, sea and beach during the day head to the Kendwa and Nungwi. It’s also possible to find some nice quieter places to stay in the area.
Originally a detention centre built by a wealthy Arab prince for badly behaved slaves, the island then served as a quarantine area for arrivals from India and now houses several hotels and a colony of giant tortoises, whose origins on the island are unclear but are believed to have been brought from the Seychelles. The reef surrounding the island offers some of the best snorkelling and diving in the area.