On the northern tip of the island is the fishing village of Nungwi, which is considered a traditional center for building dhows.

These are traditional Arab sailing ships, with one or more sails. Until the 1960s, dhows operated commercial voyages between the Persian Gulf and the east coast of Africa, using only sails to move the boats. The cargo was containing mainly dates and fish taken to Africa, with mangrove wood taken on the way back.