Beach Holidays
Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba & Tanzania's Hidden Coastline
White sand beaches, spice tours, world-class diving and the perfect way to unwind after a week in the bush. Six coastal destinations, each with its own character.
White sand beaches, spice tours, world-class diving and the perfect way to unwind after a week in the bush. Six coastal destinations, each with its own character.
Zanzibar is known for its white beaches and clear blue sea. The island is a world apart — a place where the scent of cloves and cinnamon drifts through narrow Stone Town alleyways, where dhow boats sail at sunset and where some of the Indian Ocean's best snorkelling lies just offshore.
Whether you're looking for a few days of pure beach relaxation after a safari, a cultural walking tour of UNESCO-listed Stone Town, or a full spice island adventure with diving, Zanzibar delivers. Most of our guests add 3–5 days here after their Northern Circuit safari — a short flight from Arusha gets you there in under an hour.
Best for: Beach relaxation, snorkelling, spice tours, Stone Town culture, honeymoons
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Mafia Island is famous for its Marine Park and is the favourite destination for scuba divers visiting Tanzania. The waters here are home to whale sharks — the gentle giants that gather between October and March — along with colourful coral gardens, sea turtles and an extraordinary variety of reef fish.
Unlike the more developed Zanzibar, Mafia remains wonderfully untouched. There are no crowds, no hawkers, no large resorts — just pristine ocean, small eco-lodges and some of the best diving in East Africa. It's the destination for travellers who want something genuinely off the beaten path.
Best for: Scuba diving, whale shark encounters, eco-tourism, solitude
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Famous for its lush vegetation and dramatic cliffs, Pemba is Zanzibar's quieter, wilder sister island. The diving here is world-class — steep underwater drop-offs and untouched coral walls attract experienced divers from around the globe.
There are a lot of activities and excursions in Pemba beyond diving: kayaking through mangrove channels, visiting clove plantations, exploring the ruins of ancient Swahili settlements and — for the truly adventurous — staying in an underwater room at one of the island's unique hotels.
Best for: Advanced diving, clove plantations, adventure, underwater hotel experience
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An unexplored paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Fanjove is a private island retreat where privacy meets pristine nature — the kind of place most people only see in photographs. With just a handful of bandas (beach cottages), it's one of the most exclusive destinations in Tanzania.
Snorkelling, diving, canoeing and simply watching the ocean from your veranda — Fanjove is about slowing down completely. Sea turtles nest on the beaches, dolphins play offshore and the night sky is unpolluted by any artificial light.
Best for: Exclusivity, total privacy, snorkelling, romantic getaways
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Pangani Beach is one of the most beautiful and peaceful parts of Tanzania. Located south of Tanga on the mainland coast, Pangani sees very few tourists — making it a genuinely authentic coastal experience far from the bustle of Zanzibar.
The town of Pangani itself has a rich history as a former Swahili trading port, with old colonial buildings, coconut plantations and a vibrant local fishing culture. The beach is long, quiet and backed by palm groves. It's the ideal stop for travellers who want to combine beach time with real cultural immersion.
Best for: Authentic culture, peace and quiet, history, budget-friendly
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The beaches located south of Dar Es Salaam offer a quiet place to relax before or after your safari. If you're flying in or out of Dar es Salaam rather than Kilimanjaro Airport, adding a day or two at the beach is easy and affordable.
These beaches are popular with Dar residents at weekends but peaceful during the week. Several comfortable beachfront hotels and guesthouses line the coast, offering fresh seafood, swimming and a taste of urban Tanzanian life alongside beach relaxation.
Best for: Short stays, transit convenience, affordable beach time, seafood
Enquire About Dar BeachesMost guests combine 5–9 days of safari with 3–5 days at the beach. Here are our most popular combos.
Tell us which destination interests you and we'll build the perfect safari + beach combination.