Top 5 Reasons to Sail with Gypsea Sailing Zanzibar: Zanzibar’s Most Authentic and Intimate Boat Experience

gypseazanzibar
Aug 7
3 min read

If you're searching for something deeper than a day trip, something truly local, soulful, and far from the crowds, Gypsea Sailing Zanzibar offers a journey few get to experience. Aboard a traditional Swahili ngalawa, you’ll sail through turquoise waters guided by real Zanzibari seafarers, reconnecting with the island’s heritage and the rhythm of the ocean.

Here are the top five reasons to choose Gypsea Sailing Zanzibar. This is a hidden gem for travelers seeking non-touristy things to do in Zanzibar, slow travel, privacy, and raw coastal beauty.

1. Sail on a Traditional Ngalawa,

Refined for Comfort and Elegance

Unlike commercial boat tours, Gypsea offers luxury traditional boat experiences aboard authentic Swahili ngalawas. These double-outrigger canoes are handcrafted by local artisans using centuries-old methods. While they remain true to tradition, Gypsea’s boats have been thoughtfully adapted for comfort.

You’ll enjoy a widened deck for reclining, hand-carved wood details, soft woven textiles, and cushioned seating. With no engine, you hear only the sound of the sea and the wind in the sail.

This is a luxury ngalawa sailing experience designed for travelers who appreciate natural materials, skilled craftsmanship, and simplicity done well.

2. An Intimate, Crowd-Free

Experience with Real Privacy

Many boat services in Zanzibar advertise privacy but still operate near busy sandbanks or tourist beaches. Gypsea is different. Each sail is fully private, and the route takes you to a stretch of sea near Jambiani where there are no other boats in sight.

This is one of the only experiences on the island that offers real seclusion on the water. There are no loudspeakers, no tour groups, and no music from beach clubs. It is just you, your guests, and the ocean.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic boat experience for couples, a peaceful solo escape, or a quiet moment with family, Gypsea offers true privacy and calm away from the usual tourist areas.

3. A Fisherman’s Lunch, Cooked by

Instinct and Served from the Sea

Lunch on Gypsea is served simply, in a hollowed piece of mango wood, carved by hand. The food is prepared over fire using traditional coastal methods, but the approach is guided by something deeper instinct.

In the Gypsea kitchen, we don’t follow recipes. We cook by feeling. Before we even pick ingredients, we already know the flavour we want to achieve. It’s not guesswork it’s a way of cooking that’s been learned over time, through repetition, taste, and trust.

You’ll experience the full texture of the sea from the soft, delicate meat of prawns to the bite of octopus, grilled just enough to hold its shape and flavour. Fish is cooked over flame until just tender, often paired with coconut, seasonal greens, or spice, used with restraint to bring balance rather than overwhelm.

There’s nothing overdone. Just good food, cooked with care, and served the way it should be warm, fresh, and honest.

Make no mistake as humble as it may sound, this is rustic gourmet dining.

What many people don’t realise is that Gypsea isn’t just a sailboat. It’s a one-of-a-kind sailing and dining experience a rare combination of Swahili heritage, comfort, and thoughtful food, all on the open sea.

4. Snorkel in a Natural Lagoon

Revealed by the Tides

When the tide recedes along Zanzibar’s east coast, it reveals a natural phenomenon — a shallow lagoon near Jambiani that becomes a clear, fish-filled pool. Gypsea’s ngalawas can reach this reef-fringed area, offering a chance to explore it in peace.

You can step into calm, warm water and snorkel among reef fish, sea cucumbers, and starfish. It’s ideal for beginners, children, and anyone who prefers quiet over crowds.

This hidden lagoon snorkeling experience is only available during specific tides and is one of the most unique and peaceful snorkeling options in Zanzibar.

5. A Living Expression of Swahili

Maritime Heritage

There are no rehearsed speeches or tourist performances. Instead, your experience is guided by warm, experienced Zanzibari seafarers who carry centuries of Swahili sailing knowledge.

They raise sails using ancestral techniques, steer by reading the wind and tides, and move in rhythm with the ocean. Every action is part of a tradition that has been handed down through generations.

The crew is friendly and attentive. They are happy to answer questions, share what they’re doing, or simply engage in relaxed conversation. They also understand when to give you space and quiet. This is an authentic cultural experience, felt through presence rather than performance.

Final Thoughts: A Sail Unlike Any Other in Zanzibar

Gypsea Sailing Zanzibar isn’t just a tour. It’s a return to something real. Whether you're snorkeling in a hidden lagoon, watching your crew harness the wind with ancestral skill, or tasting food cooked with instinct and fire, this is the island as you hoped it still existed raw, quiet, beautiful, and true.

Book Your Private Ngalawa Experience

Visit: www.gypseazanzibar.com