The beaches in Tanzania are among the most stunning in the world, and there are wonderful diving, fishing, and cultural opportunities there. Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia are a few of the coastal towns and islands in Tanzania.
Tanzania is known for its fantastic 800 km of coastline, which features white sand beaches with palm trees lining them, as well as the historic towns of Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Kilwa, Lindi, Mikindani, and Mtwara, as well as the exotic islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia.
The Indian Ocean coast is where the Swahili language and culture originated. Along this historically rich coastline, numerous explorers, sultans, and slave traders encountered Africa for the first time and helped shape events that would define modern Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, both with direct international flights.
June to October for dry, sunny weather; December to February is hot and clear.
Pemba for wall dives, Mafia for whale sharks and reef, Mnemba for snorkelling.
The birthplace of the Swahili language, and a thousand years of trade history.
From the Swahili trading towns of the mainland to the reefs of the outer islands. Zanzibar’s own beaches — Nungwi, Jambiani, Paje and Stone Town — are covered on the Zanzibar Island page.
Zanzibar has its own page covering its beaches, resorts, dining and activities in detail. Fanjove Private Island, a single-lodge island north-east of Zanzibar, is also available on request — ask us about it when planning.
The coast is good to visit at most times of the year thanks to reliable sunshine, but the best window is the dry season from June to October. December to February is hotter and clear, and it is when the whale sharks are around Mafia.
The long rains in April and May bring heavy downpours and the quietest, cheapest conditions of the year. Zanzibar is popular enough as a standalone destination that we cover it separately, with its own beaches and resorts.
A few nights on the coast turns a safari into a holiday. Tell us which island suits you and we'll match the resort.
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