Coast & Islands
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Tanzania's Coast and Islands
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.
- Stone Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- World-class diving on Pemba's walls and Mafia's reefs
- Whale sharks off Mafia from October to March
- Where the bush meets the beach at Saadani
Good to Know
Coast & Islands at a Glance
Gateway
Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, both with direct international flights.
Best Time
June to October for dry, sunny weather; December to February is hot and clear.
Diving
Pemba for wall dives, Mafia for whale sharks and reef, Mnemba for snorkelling.
Culture
The birthplace of the Swahili language, and a thousand years of trade history.
Where You'll Go
Destinations in This Circuit
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.
When to Travel
Sunshine Almost All Year
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.
- June to October — dry, sunny and the most reliable window
- October to March — whale shark season off Mafia Island
- April to May — long rains, lowest rates
- Easy to combine with any safari circuit as a beach finish
Finish Your Safari on the Ocean
A few nights on the coast turns a safari into a holiday. Tell us which island suits you and we’ll match the resort.