Tanzania is East Africa's premier safari destination, home to the legendary Serengeti plains, Africa's highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro, and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. Experience the Great Migration, explore ancient Stone Town, and discover incredible wildlife diversity.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Tanzania.
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- Lively beach village with dhow builders and sunset bars
- sunbeds
- beach bars
- restaurants
- watersports
- snorkeling trips
- dhow tours
Nungwi Beach
Tanzania's most popular beach with powder-white sand and turquoise water that doesn't recede at low tide. A traditional dhow-building village with a vibrant beach bar scene at sunset.
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- Relaxed full-moon party beach
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- bars
- beach volleyball
- watersports
- snorkeling
Kendwa Beach
Slightly quieter than Nungwi with equally calm, clear water. Famous for its monthly full-moon beach parties and one of the few Zanzibar beaches that remains swimmable at all tides.
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- Kite-surfing hotspot with backpacker energy
- kitesurfing schools
- sunbeds
- budget guesthouses
- restaurants
- beach bars
Paje Beach
Wide beach fringed by casuarina trees and world-class kite-surfing conditions. The consistent south-east trade winds make it East Africa's best kite-surfing destination.
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- Unspoiled and tranquil
- diving centre
- snorkeling trips
- boutique lodges
- traditional village
- seafood restaurants
Matemwe Beach
One of Zanzibar's most scenic beaches with low-key tourism, calm reef-protected waters, and direct access to Mnemba Atoll for exceptional snorkeling and diving.
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- Romantic and secluded
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- sailing
- snorkeling
- boutique hotels
Michamvi Peninsula Beaches
Hidden gem with The Rock Restaurant perched on an island rock offshore. Long stretches of unspoiled beach backed by coconut palms with shallow turquoise lagoons at low tide.
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- All-inclusive resort beach
- resort facilities
- watersports centre
- beachside dining
- sunbeds
- pools
Kiwengwa Beach
Long, palm-fringed beach favoured by all-inclusive resorts with calm, shallow water. One of Zanzibar's most consistent beaches for swimming with reliable conditions year-round.
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- City escape for Dar residents
- restaurants
- bars
- sunbeds
- beach vendors
- parking
Oyster Bay Beach
Dar es Salaam's most accessible beach popular with local families and expats on weekends. Calm Indian Ocean waters with beachside restaurants and casual bar atmosphere.
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- Wild and off the beaten track
- basic local restaurants
- traditional fishing village
- natural rock pools
Makunduchi Beach
Remote wild beach at Zanzibar's southern tip with almost no tourist facilities. Known for the Mwaka Kogwa New Year festival and the ancient Shirazi settlements nearby.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Matemwe, Michamvi, and Makunduchi offer genuine seclusion and minimal tourist crowds, perfect for honeymooners and those seeking solitude.
Family
Family-friendly
Kiwengwa and Kendwa have calm, shallow waters with no tidal variation, making them ideal for young children. Resort facilities at Kiwengwa include kids clubs.
Sport
Active & sporty
Paje is the hub for kite-surfing and windsurfing. Nungwi offers snorkeling, dolphin tours, and sailing with traditional dhows.
Social
Lively scene
Nungwi and Kendwa have the most beach bars, evening parties, and backpacker energy. Kendwa is famous for its monthly full-moon beach parties.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Tanzania memorable.
Kite-Surfing
Paje on Zanzibar's east coast receives consistent south-east trade winds from June to October, creating ideal kite-surfing conditions. Multiple certified schools offer lessons for beginners.
Paje Beach
Snorkeling and Diving
Mnemba Atoll near Matemwe is one of the Indian Ocean's top dive sites with spectacular coral gardens, turtles, dolphins, and seasonal whale sharks. Day trips available from Nungwi and Matemwe.
Matemwe, Nungwi, and Kendwa beaches
Dolphin Tours
Spinner and bottlenose dolphins are resident year-round around Kizimkazi at Zanzibar's southern tip. Early morning boat trips offer swimming opportunities with wild dolphin pods.
Kizimkazi Beach (south Zanzibar)
Dhow Sailing
Traditional wooden dhow sunset cruises depart from Nungwi and Stone Town daily. Romantic sailing experience with fresh seafood, snorkeling stops, and dramatic Indian Ocean sunsets.
Nungwi Beach, Stone Town waterfront
Deep Sea Fishing
Tanzania's waters hold yellowfin tuna, sailfish, marlin, and dorado. Zanzibar and Mafia Island are premier deep-sea fishing destinations with half and full-day charters available.
Nungwi, Matemwe, and Mafia Island
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
June to October (dry season) is best for beach weather. December to February is also good. Avoid March to May (heavy rains and rough seas).
Getting there
Public dalla-dalla minibuses reach most beaches from Stone Town for $1-3. Taxis cost $30-60. Many hotels offer transfers.
On-beach facilities
Nungwi and Kiwengwa have full resort facilities. East coast beaches have basic guesthouses. Remote south coast beaches have minimal facilities.
Costs to budget
Sunbeds $5-15 per day at most beaches. Basic beach guesthouses from $30/night. Snorkeling day trips $25-50. Kite-surfing lessons from $70 per session.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.