When it comes to the sea in Tanzania, Zanzibar is certainly the most popular destination. But across the country there are 800km of white beaches and stunning islands, lapped by crystal clear waters. Let’s see together which are the 10 most beautiful beaches in Tanzania , where you can go to the sea.
1 – Mafia Island
Mafia Island is a small, intimate and unspoiled paradise. The shores of its eastern beaches are the home of green turtles, which every year lay their eggs there. The clear seabed allows snorkelers to observe a vast marine fauna, which boasts the presence of sailfish, tuna and numerous corals. Furthermore, the spectacle formed by the river estuaries that flow into the sea is protected by one of the largest marine parks in the area. In addition to the opportunity to relax on the beach, Mafia Island also provides the opportunity to enter the vegetation of the hinterland, where it is possible to encounter monkeys and flying foxes.
- Location : 25 kilometers from the coast south of Dar es Salaam, reachable in 35 minutes by charter flights from Darl es Salaam or by ferry from Nymamisati – Get directions
- Ideal for : relaxation, snorkeling, cultural visits, fishing
- Type : white sand
- Where to sleep nearby : Hotels and b & b in Mafia Island from € 35.00 per night – see the offers
2 – Ushongo beach, Pangani
Pangani is a still little visited destination, which offers peace and tranquility. The fantastic coast allows you to relax while enjoying the extraordinary sunsets, or to take a look at the varied marine fauna, which resides among its clear waters. Furthermore, by agreeing with one of the beach boys, it is possible to organize fishing trips on board the dhows , typical boats of the area.
- Where is it : about 50 km from the city of Tanga. There are several ways to get to Pangani, the best is certainly the internal flight from Da Es Salaam or Arusha – Get directions
- Ideal for : relaxation, fishing, snorkling, diving, dhow excursions
- Type : white sand
3 – Pemba Island, Zanzibar Archipelago
The island of Pemba is yet another unexplored paradise that Tanzania hides. The coast of the island has, depending on the area, some characteristic and unique beaches in their own way: the north-western tip boasts the widest and longest beaches, the most “classic”; the central and south-western coast, covered for the most part by the dense mangrove forest, has characteristic inlets and bays with crystal clear water while, the east coast of the island, has the most characteristic beach of all at a level of panorama, where it will be possible to admire the overhangs that end directly in the sea. The set of islets that surround the island in all its length,, whose sand color varies from white to various shades of pink.
SEE ALSO : Zanzibar – where it is, when to go and what to see
- Where is it : close to Zanzibar, reachable in 20-30 minutes by plane – Get directions
- Ideal for : relaxation, diving, snorkling, diving
- Type : white sand, rocks
- Where to sleep nearby : Hotels and b & b in Zanzibar from € 20.00 per night – see the offers
4 – Oyster Bay, Dar es Salaam
Oyster Bay is a residential area of ​​Dar es Salaam, particularly renowned for its beaches, particularly suitable for those who love nightlife, or simply want to have a drink with friends. Originally built and inhabited by British settlers, Oyster Bay remains an exclusive area, inhabited mainly by Europeans and a few native of Tanzania, who enliven the beaches in the evening with typical dances. Particularly suggestive is the panorama which can be enjoyed at dawn from the beach , which gives a particularly romantic atmosphere.
- Location : Accessible by bus from nearby Dar es Salaam – Get directions
- Ideal for : nightlife
- Type : white sand
- Where to sleep nearby : Hotels and b & b in Dar es Salam from € 65.00 per night – see the offers
5 – Kunduchi Beach, Dar es Salaam
Kunduchi Beach directly overlooks the Indian Ocean , and is a very popular destination for both national and international tourism, especially when it comes to family holidays. Characterized by white sand and crystal clear water, the area does not have the tropical environment that distinguishes the other areas of Tanzania. On the other hand, it offers a wide choice of swimming pools, water parks and the possibility of excursions to the ruins of the ancient mosque, hidden in the dense Baobab forest.
- Where is it : close to Dar es Salaam, accessible by bus from the city – Get directions
- Ideal for : relaxation, hiking, walking, family vacation
- Type : white sand
- Where to sleep nearby : Hotels and b & b in Dar es Salam from € 65.00 per night – see the offers
6 – Bongoyo Island
Photo of LittleT889 Bongoyo Island is an uninhabited island , part of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve. A very popular destination among tourists (both foreigners and residents of Tanzania) who love snorkeling, the island has only two beaches: the one on the north-western tip of the island, the most popular, given the presence of the small port and the characteristic huts , and the one on the northeastern side, much narrower and almost always deserted. For the rest of the island is covered by a dense forest , this particular, which makes the view from which it is possible to enjoy from the beach even more suggestive.
- Location : 2.5km north of Dar es Salaam city, reachable by a 30 minute boat ride – Get directions
- Ideal for : relaxation, walking, snorkeling
- Type : white sand
- Where to sleep nearby : Hotels and b & b in Dar es Salam from € 65.00 per night – see the offers
7 – Gendayeka
Gendayeka is a long stretch of lonely white sand , frequented only by locals on Sundays; the particular tranquility of the area offers the opportunity to closely observe the different types of birds that live in the area. The beach stretches for several kilometers, and gives the opportunity to admire all the shades of the sea, ranging from green, to blue, to turquoise, to cobalt.
- Where is it : close to Dar Es Salaam, cross the port area aboard a ferry boat, and proceed for another 15 minutes by car
- Ideal for : relaxation, walks, photos
- Type : white sand
8 – Mnemba Island, Zanzibar Archipelago
Photo by Oleg Mnemba Island is an island surrounded by coral reefs , declared a marine conservation area, which includes four different marine habitats. Famous scuba diving site, in addition to the great variety of corals and the 600 species of fish that reside there, near Mnemba it is also possible to spot turtles and dolphins . From the beaches, on the other hand, in addition to having some close encounters with the green turtles, which lay their eggs, it is easy to observe numerous birds, migratory and otherwise.
- Where is it : About 3km from the northeastern coast of Unguja, opposite Muyuni beach a 90 minute drive from Stone Town via the main island of Zanzibar, before a twenty minute boat ride – Get indications
- Ideal for : relaxation, snorkeling, photography, bird watching
- Type : white sand
- Where to sleep nearby : Hotels and b & b in Zanzibar from € 20.00 per night – see the offers
9 – Misali Island, Zanzibar Archipelago
Misali Island is a protected reserve, where it is possible to use the umbrellas and sunbeds on the beach, free of charge. The sea, thanks also to the play of light due to the tides, at certain times of the day takes on incredible colors, revealing the splendid starfish and crabs that populate it. Furthermore, in addition to the coral reef, here it is possible to observe different varieties of fish and shells, among the most beautiful and largest in Tanzania.
- Location : West of Pemba and North of Zanzibar – Get directions
- Ideal for : relaxation, snorkeling, walking, hiking
- Type : white sand
- Where to sleep nearby : Hotels and b & b in Zanzibar from € 20.00 per night – see the offers
10 – Bagamoyo Beach
Bagamoyo is a beach different from all the others. The sea and the beach certainly do not enjoy the tropical atmospheres that characterize their neighbors, but they still offer the possibility of living a unique experience: that of experiencing the customs and traditions of Tanzania firsthand . In the morning it is possible to meet fishermen returning from their fishing trip, and admire the carpenters at work on the dhows, the classic African boats. Throughout the day, the beach is populated by women who carry out their daily tasks.
- Where it is : easily accessible from Dar Es Salaam. From the post office on Azikiwe Street depart from the dal for Mwenge bus station. Once there, just hop on the first bus to Bagamoyo, which can be reached in about an hour – Get directions
- Ideal for : relaxation
- Type : golden sand
When to go
Info on climate and best time
- Climate : Tanzania’s climate is predominantly tropical, temperatures rarely drop below 20 ° C, except in mountainous regions. On the coast, the climate is warm all year round, with two rainy seasons in the northern part, and only one in the south. Tropical rains occur mainly in the form of downpours or thunderstorms in the afternoon, so the sky in the morning is often clear even in the rainy period.
- Best period : July-August, which is the coolest, sunniest and least rainy.
- Period to avoid : March and April, the rainiest months
Plan your trip: interactive map + info on flights, hotels and tours
- Low cost flights: starting from € 395.44 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 65.00 per room – see the offers
- Recommended Cards, Tickets & Tours: Stone Town 2-Hour Dhow Sunset Cruise: Freddie Mercury Tour Sultan Panorama Tour with Lunch