Mbudya Island Beach

Mbudya Island Beach lies about 10 km offshore from the Kunduchi coast, north of Dar es Salaam, and is one of the islands of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves. Boats cross from Kunduchi or Jangwani beach in about 20 minutes. The island is a low, uninhabited coral island fringed by white sand and shaded by coconut palms and coastal trees, and it has a longer and more open beach than neighbouring Bongoyo. The water is clear and shallow near the shore, shading to deeper blue beyond the reef, and conditions are generally calm on the sheltered western side. Snorkelling over the coral and seagrass close to the beach is the main activity, with small reef fish, anemones and sea urchins common, and low tide exposes pools and sandbars that are good for beachcombing. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with families and groups of friends from the city on weekends and few people on weekdays. Thatched bandas provide shade, and food stalls and small kitchens sell grilled fish, chips, rice and cold drinks, usually with a short wait. Restrooms are basic and there are no lifeguards. A marine reserve fee and boat fare are payable separately, and prices for boats are best agreed before departure and the return time confirmed with the boatman. Visitors should carry cash, drinking water, reef-safe sun protection and water shoes. Because the island is reached by small open boats, rough water in the windier months can make crossings uncomfortable, and boats may not run in poor weather. Mbudya works well as a combined day with Kunduchi's hotels and beach restaurants, and suits visitors who want a quieter alternative to Bongoyo.