Coastal Tanzania
With over 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) of Indian Ocean coastline, Tanzania makes it easy to end your safari adventure in total seclusion—on a quiet stretch of palm-fringed beach. But there’s much more to discover than just the iconic spice island of Unguja, commonly referred to as Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is, in fact, an archipelago made up of two larger islands—Unguja and Pemba—and dozens of smaller ones. While Unguja, with its UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town and postcard-perfect coral sand beaches, is served directly by multiple international airlines and can get quite busy, its sister island Pemba remains the epitome of tranquility.
Thanks to a U.S.-funded development program, Pemba has a good road network—but it’s mostly used by oxcarts. The island, which is about half the size of Maui or twice the size of Ibiza, likely has no more than a hundred cars. Time seems to stand still here. Though tourism is slowly developing, there are still only a handful of lodges on Pemba, and it's entirely possible to walk along its shores for hours without meeting another soul—aside from friendly locals.
Beyond the two main islands, Zanzibar’s charm extends to exclusive private islands such as Mnemba and Chumbe, both renowned for exceptional diving and snorkeling. Perhaps the most spectacular underwater world in Tanzania, however, lies further south—in the Chole Bay reefs of the Mafia Island Archipelago. These amazingly beautiful and species-rich coral banks have been spared the destructive dynamite fishing that still, regrettably, occurs in other parts of the coastline.
On Mafia’s Chole Island—and neighboring Juani, which is accessible on foot during low tide—you can explore ruins of the Swahili culture, some dating back to at least the 13th century. Chole is also home to the remarkable Chole Mjini Treehouse Lodge, offering a unique, close-to-nature stay that feels more like a gentle immersion into island life than a typical hotel visit.
Like in other parts of the Tanzanian coast, Mafia offers seasonal nesting grounds for sea turtles. Between October and December, it’s even possible to swim with whale sharks off Mafia’s coast—an awe-inspiring experience that few places on Earth can offer.
Tanzania’s coastal offerings seem limitless. North of Tanga, you can kayak through mangrove forests or go deep sea fishing in the fish-rich Tanga Channel. Further south, the ruins of Kaole and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kilwa Kisiwani reveal a rich, pre-colonial history that once connected East Africa to Persia, Arabia, and India.
And then there are the beaches. Endless stretches of coastline untouched by mass tourism invite quiet walks, reflection, and reconnection with nature and oneself.
Even the bustling city of Dar es Salaam has its own coastal charm. Just offshore, small islands are easily accessible for a day of swimming, fresh seafood—caught just that morning—and perhaps a glimpse of the rare and impressive Coconut Crab, listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. Unlike its aquatic cousins, this crab lives entirely on land.
Browse the photo gallery below to get a feel for the rich diversity of Coastal Tanzania—or click here to return to the destinations overview.
Map highlighting Coastal Tanzania
The Aiyana Beach Resort in northwestern Pemba
Flame of the Forest
Indian Ocean in Northwestern Pemba
At the beach in northwestern Pemba
Anna and Pemba sunset
Swimming at The Aiyana Beach Resort
Chatting with fishermen on the beach in northwestern Pemba
Beach at The Aiyana Beach Resort in northwestern Pemba
Local fishermen's catch in northwestern Pemba: this tuna will be on our lodge's menu tonight
The Aiyana Beach Resort in northwestern Pemba
Oxcart at The Aiyana Beach Resort in northwestern Pemba
Cloves drying at spice cooperative in central Pemba
On tour of a spice cooperative in central Pemba
Cardamon
Pepper
Vanilla
Jackfruit
Cloves
On tour of a spice cooperative in central Pemba
Walking to our boat at Kimbini at low tide
Anna drinking coconut water
Dhow at Kiweni island in southern Pemba
Hammock at Pemba Eco Lodge on Kiweni island
Tranquility before sunrise on Kiweni island, Pemba
Sunrise on Kiweni island, Pemba
Fisherman at sunrise on Kiweni island, Pemba
Banda at Pemba Eco Lodge on Kiweni island
Hornbill at Pemba Eco Lodge on Kiweni island
Fisherman on Kiweni island, Pemba
School children bathing in the ocean, Kiweni island, Pemba
Boat shuttle from Kiweni island to Kimbini, Pemba
Boat shuttle from Kiweni island to Kimbini, Pemba
Traveling through mangroves in southern Pemba
The Aiyana Beach Resort in northwestern Pemba
Dar es Salaam seen from Sandbank
Fun in the ocean at South Beach
Leonie and Anna at South Beach
Dhow at South Beach
Fun in the ocean at South Beach
Fun in the ocean at South Beach
Anna at South Beach
Anna at South Beach
Fun in the ocean at South Beach
Anna at South Beach
Fishermen at South Beach
Sailing near Sinda island
Anna with goats at South Beach
Assisted sea turtle hatching at Kimbiji
Ships queuing in outer anchorage to enter Dar es Salaam port
Fishermen going about their work at sunrise
Leonie and Anna at Sandbank
Sandbank disappearing in the tide
Anna enjoying rock lobster on Mbudya island
Water fun at Mbudya island
Coconut crab at Mbudya island
Coconut crab at Mbudya island
Anna at Dar es Salaam Yacht Club
Rock lobster feast at Mbudya island
Sand lobster feast at Mbudya island
Nightfall at Dar es Salaam Yacht Club
Nightfall at Dar es Salaam Yacht Club
Beach at Kimbiji
Vervet monkeys at Kimbiji
Anna at Kimbiji beach
Beach at Kimbiji
Beachfront villas at Kimbiji
Beachfront villa at Kimbiji
Beachfront villa at Kimbiji
Beach at Kimbiji
View from beachfront villa at Kimbiji
Sunrise at Kimbiji beach
Starfish
Anna with starfish
Looking onto the ocean (in the background: House of Wonders)
St. Joseph's Cathedral, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Leonie and Anna at Stone Town, Zanzibar
Sunset over Stone Town, Zanzibar
Overlooking Old Fort of Zanzibar in Stone Town
Anna with Qur'an student at Portuguese cannons, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Boats anchoring outside Stone Town's harbour
Anna on hotel roof in Stone Town, Zanzibar
Stone Town rooftops at sunset, Zanzibar
Stone Town rooftops at sunset, Zanzibar
Zanzibaris enjoying the beach at sunset underneath the Park Hyatt terrace
The cats of Stone Town
Zanzibar ferries -- they connect Zanzibar with Dar es Salaam
German cemetery (late 19th century)
Anna inside the old German Boma from 1897 (note the imported tiles)
Anna inside the old German Boma from 1897
Kaole ruins near Bagamoyo (13th - 16th century)
Kaole ruins near Bagamoyo (13th - 16th century)
Anna napping on the flight to Mafia island
Arriving on Mafia island at Kilindoni airstrip
Kitu kiblu camp at Kilindoni, Mafia island
Ready to experience the whale sharks off Mafia island
Dolphins off Mafia island
Swimming with dolphins off Mafia island
Boat at the beach of Kilindoni, Mafia island
Sunset over Kilindoni beach, Mafia island
Anna and friend enjoying Kilindoni beach, Mafia island
Anna enjoying Kilindoni beach, Mafia island
Anna and I at Kitu Kiblu camp, Kilindoni, Mafia island
Frogs hanging out in our open-roof washroom at Kitu Kiblu camp, Kilindoni, Mafia island
Pole Pole Bungalows, Mafia island
Anna arrives at Chole island with dry feet
Flying dog at Chole island
Flying dogs at Chole island
Seagrass drying at Chole island
Anna buys a whale shark painting from artist on Chole island
Leonie and Anna walking through banana plants on Chole island
Anna having fun with children on Chole island
Chole Island Ruins (14th - 18th century)
Flame of the Forest trees on Chole island
Old German Boma on Chole island
Old German Boma on Chole island
Anna playing at Utende beach, Mafia island
Anna enjoying herself at Utende beach, Mafia island
Traveling across Mafia island by Bajaji
Vervet monkey at Ushongo
Anna dancing on Ushongo beach with her cousin
Beach villa, Ushongo
Beach villa garden, Ushongo
Vervet monkey at Ushongo
Anna at Ushongo
Beach villa, Ushongo
Vervet monkey at Ushongo
Beach villa and hammock, Ushongo
Anna dancing on Ushongo beach with her cousin
Bougainvillea on Kimbiji coast
Vervet monkey
Vervet monkey
Vervet monkey resting
Fisherman near Kimbiji
Vervet monkey
Vervet monkey interested in our car
Vervet monkeys interested in our car