Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city and main port, a hot Swahili coastal metropolis of markets, museums, harbour life and island beaches, and the gateway to Zanzibar and Tanzania's safari circuit.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Dar es Salaam.
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- lively local crowd, street food and weekend football
- food stalls
- parking
- football pitches
Coco Beach
Editor’s tip. Check the tide first; low tide exposes rocks and makes swimming impractical.
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- relaxed resort strip with palms, camping and weekend day-trippers
- restaurants
- camping
- sunloungers
Kigamboni Beaches (Mikadi and Kipepeo)
Editor’s tip. Use the Nyerere Bridge to avoid ferry queues at peak hours.
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- laid-back suburban beach bars and long seafood lunches
- beach bars
- restaurants
Mbezi Beach
Editor’s tip. Travel outside the Bagamoyo Road rush hour to avoid very long journeys.
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- castaway-style island day trip with thatched bandas and grilled fish
- shaded bandas (about 5,000 TZS / $2)
- snorkelling
- grilled fish lunches
Bongoyo Island Beach
Editor’s tip. Order lunch when arriving so the kitchen can have it ready by midday.
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- quiet palm-fringed island with bandas and fresh fish lunches
- bandas
- snorkelling
- food stalls
Mbudya Island Beach
Editor’s tip. Agree the boat fare and the return time with the boatman before leaving.
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- resort-style beach days with hotel bars and boat trips to Mbudya
- hotels
- water park nearby
- restaurants
Kunduchi Beach
Editor’s tip. Swim at mid to high tide, as low tide leaves wide exposed flats.
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- quiet fishing-boat shoreline with seafood lunches
- beach restaurants
- seafood
Ununio Beach
Editor’s tip. Visit at high tide if planning to swim.
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.
Urban
Urban
Coco Beach and Ununio are lively local beaches
Island
Island
Bongoyo and Mbudya are calm day-trip islands
Resort
Resort
Kigamboni and Kunduchi offer sunloungers and restaurants
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Dar es Salaam memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Tides
At low tide mainland beaches are shallow and rocky; swim at high tide.
Safety
Do not leave belongings unattended on public beaches; swim only in marked areas.
Dress
Swimwear is fine on resorts and islands; cover up away from the beach in this largely Muslim city.
Fees
Island reserves charge about 45,000-48,000 TZS ($18-19) for non-residents.
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.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Dar es Salaam’s coast.
Can visitors swim at Coco Beach?
Swimming is possible but limited by the tide and exposed rocks. High tide is generally better, and many visitors only paddle.
From the Coco Beach editorial.
Is there an entrance fee for Coco Beach?
Coco Beach is a public beach and is generally free to enter, although informal parking attendants may ask for a small fee.
From the Coco Beach editorial.
How do visitors reach Kigamboni beaches?
Take the Kigamboni ferry from Kivukoni and continue by taxi or bajaji, or take a taxi across the Nyerere Bridge.
From the Kigamboni Beaches (Mikadi and Kipepeo) editorial.
Can visitors camp at Kigamboni?
Camping is available at Kipepeo Beach, which has a camping area as well as a beachfront restaurant.
From the Kigamboni Beaches (Mikadi and Kipepeo) editorial.
How long does it take to reach Mbezi Beach from the centre?
A taxi or Bolt takes about 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic on Bagamoyo Road, and longer at rush hour.
From the Mbezi Beach editorial.
Is Mbezi Beach good for swimming?
Swimming is possible at high tide, but the water is not especially clear and there are no lifeguards.
From the Mbezi Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Bongoyo Island?
Boats leave from the Slipway jetty in Msasani and the crossing takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
From the Bongoyo Island Beach editorial.
How much does a banda cost?
A shaded banda is about 5,000 TZS (around $2), and boat and marine reserve fees are charged separately.
From the Bongoyo Island Beach editorial.