The 10 Best Beaches in Tanzania

With its quiet, relaxed lifestyle and the warmth of its people, Tanzania is a magnificent country to visit, with a myriad of things to see and do for visitors.

Home to the gigantic Mount Kilimanjaro, the majestic wildlife of the Serengeti and, of course, the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, travelling in Tanzania is a delight; there is a remarkable variety of different landscapes packed into a single country.

Many visitors to Tanzania choose to go on a safari or a tour before heading to its attractive coast, which is home to idyllic islands and fabulous beaches.

1Kendwa Beach

Located on the north-western coast of Unguja, Kendwa Beach is one of the liveliest and most touristy parts of Zanzibar and is the place to go if you want quality nightlife. Kendwa Rocks, for example, hosts monthly Full Moon parties; these are a lot of fun, celebrating on the beach until the early hours.

Besides the splendid sun-kissed beach, Kendwa offers numerous bars, restaurants and hotels for every budget. Eating dinner while watching the sunset over the ocean is unforgettable.

There are plenty of activities and day trips for visitors to choose from (nothing on the island is more than an hour or two away by car), with snorkelling and scuba diving being particularly fantastic. The local waters teem with marine life and are home to some wonderful coral reefs.

2Jambiani Beach

Stretching along the coast from Paje Beach, Jambiani Beach is a relaxing place to unwind, perfect if you want to sit back, relax and enjoy the splendid scenery. The village itself is small, so there are only a few hotels, guesthouses and restaurants around the town - though they serve delicious fish dishes.

While many people heading to Jambiani Beach simply want to bask in the glorious scenery, it is worth taking a boat trip on one of the dhows. Nearby Stingray City is one of the most impressive dive sites around; you'll find hundreds of rays gliding about gracefully.

On top of this, guests can choose to take a local cooking course, go on a cultural tour to learn more about traditional village life, or head to the Jozani Forest, where they can glimpse monkeys playing among the trees.

3Prison Island

Surrounded by perfect blue waters, tiny Prison Island is very picturesque. Its proximity to Stone Town on Unguja makes it a popular option for day trips. 'Changuu' - as it is sometimes called - has had numerous uses over the course of history, with the island once used as a slave port and quarantine station, among other things.

Nowadays, the island is covered in trees, and an enormous tortoise sanctuary can be found at one end. The remains of the prison, which never housed any prisoners, can be found scattered here and there.

With a splendid beach on offer, fantastic snorkelling just offshore and wonderful views to enjoy, Prison Island deserves a visit from Stone Town. The boat trip there and back is equally fun, as you skim across the waves towards the secluded island.

4Mbudya Island Beach

Located just off the coast of mainland Tanzania, Mbudya Island makes a fantastic day trip from Dar es Salaam and is only a 20-minute boat ride away. For people seeking to escape the crowded city streets, Mbudya Island offers a warm welcome; its beach is as beautiful as they come, with pearly white sands that contrast deliciously with the vivid turquoise of the water.

The surrounding waters are home to some wonderful coral reefs, and snorkelling above the colourful fish darting back and forth is the perfect way to work up an appetite. Luckily, there is a small hut on the beach serving local delicacies for your enjoyment.

5Nakupenda Beach

The most spectacular of Stone Town's beaches, Nakupenda Beach (which means "I love you" in Swahili) is actually a sandbank located a short boat ride from the capital of Zanzibar. Relaxing on the white sands facing the Indian Ocean is a fantastic experience.

This is a charming place to go for a swim or a snorkel; the turquoise waters are so inviting, and it really feels like being on a paradise island. When you head to Nakupenda Beach, be sure to bring a parasol, because there is no shade on the sandbank.

Relaxing at one of the beach bars watching the sunset is a perfect way to end the day. After relaxing on the beach all day, the boat trip back to Stone Town is just as special.

6Nungwi Beach

With its splendid position on the northern tip of the island, Nungwi Beach is wonderful for relaxing and has a more laid-back, down-to-earth atmosphere than the nearby Kendwa Beach. The brilliant white sands border the sparkling Indian Ocean, and the warm waters are ideal for swimming.

Sunset is particularly impressive here, as the waters are painted in a whole range of dazzling oranges, yellows and reds. What's more, a fleet of dhows - local fishing boats - drift across the waters around this time for night fishing; their sails stand out deliciously against the sunset and make fabulous photos.

There are plenty of dining and accommodation options available, with some bars to relax in. Visitors can choose to take a scuba diving trip; Mnemba Atoll and the wall covered in marine life are just two of the underwater highlights.

7Paje Beach

Paje Beach If you're looking for a quiet holiday, the sleepy village on Paje Beach, on the eastern coast of Unguja, is the place for you. Located about an hour from Stone Town, the beach is idyllic; its dazzling white sands are bordered by perfect turquoise waters and the palms offer shade from the scorching sun.

Situated along the coast, you'll find some excellent restaurants and hotels. Paje Beach is one of the favourite spots for kitesurfers, who can be seen whizzing across the warm waters when the right wind hits.

One of the most remarkable things about Paje is that the tide goes out as far as the horizon, so at low tide you can walk for kilometres into the Indian Ocean with the water only up to your ankles. An extraordinary experience, it is particularly rewarding to do at night; you can feel the moon's pull on the water glinting in the moonlight.

8Mafia Island

Part of a splendid archipelago lying just off the mainland of Tanzania, south of Dar es Salaam, Mafia Island is a jewel to visit, thanks to its splendid scenery and the relaxed pace of life.

Since it is largely overlooked by tourists who prefer Zanzibar, the island has managed to fly under the radar. It is delightfully undeveloped compared with its more illustrious neighbour, although there are still a number of resorts and hotels here and there.

Mafia Island is a fascinating place for a holiday and is an increasingly popular spot among divers and snorkelling enthusiasts. Its incredible marine reserve teems with underwater life, while its beautiful beaches look as though they have come out of a travel catalogue.

9Bongoyo Island Beach

Boasting fantastic snorkelling and sunbathing, it's no surprise that Bongoyo Island is a popular day-trip destination among both locals and foreigners. Located a short boat ride from Dar es Salaam, this picturesque island is part of the Dar es Salaam marine reserve; as such, everything looks pristine and unspoilt.

Because it is uninhabited, it is impossible to stay overnight on the island. Some guests bring their own food and drink, since there are only a couple of small beach bars offering refreshment.

Covered in trees, the island is rather rocky in places, but there is nothing to complain about when it comes to its two beaches - both look incredible.

10Kipepeo Beach

The delightful Kipepeo Beach - Kipepeo meaning "butterfly" in Swahili - is a wonderful place to visit. Its location on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam makes it a popular spot for people seeking to escape the city for the weekend.

Here you can find traditional vibanda buildings; the thatched roofs look incredible scattered among the palms that surround the white sand of the beach.

With its relaxed and quiet atmosphere, Kipepeo Beach is perfect for unwinding. As evening approaches, guests migrate from the pristine sands to the beach bar, to enjoy refreshing cocktails while watching the sunset.