Tanzanian Beach Destinations

Tanzania’s coastline offers a range of beach destinations, from the well-known shores of Zanzibar to the quieter, less explored regions of Pemba and Tanga. Each location provides a different pace and atmosphere, allowing a safari to be extended with time by the ocean, coastal activities, and a more relaxed rhythm of travel.

Plan Your Safari and Beach Stay

Tanga – Pepeo Beach Cottages

A tropical cottage surrounded by palm trees under a blue sky, with sandy ground and shadows of palm leaves.
A man holding a large fish on a boat with fishing rods and equipment visible, under a clear blue sky over the ocean.
Two wooden loungers with white cushions on a sandy beach facing the ocean with palm trees and cloudy sky overhead.
A person engaged in windsurfing on the ocean, holding onto a sail with a backdrop of hills and a sky.
Aerial view of a winding river meandering through dense green wetlands, with a city skyline visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
A person snorkeling underwater near a coral reef, with two sea turtles swimming nearby.
A sailboat with three people on the water during a sunset, with clouds in the sky and trees along the shoreline.
Aerial view of a small sandy island surrounded by clear turquoise ocean water, with boats floating nearby and a person walking on the island, under a partly cloudy sky.

Tanga offers a private and largely untouched stretch of Tanzania’s coastline, centred around Mwarongo Bay. This is a place our family has been visiting since the 1990s, long before it appeared on any travel map.

Positioned between two small fishing villages, there is no established tourism here, allowing the coastline to remain quiet, natural, and entirely unhurried. It is a destination for those looking to experience the beach at their own pace, without crowds or structure.

Staying at Pepeo Beach Cottages, guests have direct access to the ocean, with the freedom to shape each day as they choose — whether that means time on the beach, on the water, or simply slowing down after a safari.

Staying at Pepeo Beach Cottages, guests have direct access to the ocean, with opportunities for private deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, and time on uncrowded beaches. Tanga works particularly well as a natural extension to a safari, allowing time to slow down after the intensity of the bush while still remaining connected to the environment.

Fishing • Kitesurfing • Snorkelling • Mangrove Cruises • Sandbanks • Dhow Cruises • Beach Golf • Time to Slow Down

A panoramic view of a tropical beach at sunset with cloudy sky, calm ocean water, palm trees on the right, and a small boat floating near the shore.
Dog walking on a sandy beach towards a walrus lying on the sand, with a distant shoreline and trees in the background.
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Zanzibar

A tropical beach with thatched umbrellas, lounge chairs, palm trees, and turquoise water with boats anchored offshore under a partly cloudy sky.
A thatched roof hut on stilts over turquoise water with a small boat docked nearby, under a clear blue sky.
A tropical beach with white sand, turquoise water, and palm trees, featuring overwater bungalows and boats along the shore.

Zanzibar is Tanzania’s most established beach destination, known for its white sand beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters, and historic Stone Town. It offers a wide range of experiences, from resort-based stays and boutique hotels to cultural exploration within the island’s historic centre.

For many travellers, Zanzibar provides a well-rounded coastal experience, combining relaxation, water-based activities, and cultural elements. It pairs easily with a safari, offering a contrast between the wildlife-rich interior and the coastal atmosphere of the island.

Pemba Island

An old wooden sailboat with tattered sails resting on a sandy beach with clear blue ocean and sky in the background.
Clear turquoise ocean with boats and a person paddleboarding near a sandy beach, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Balcony with lounge chairs overlooking a forest and ocean sunset, with thatched roof shades and glass doors.

Pemba Island offers a quieter alternative within the Zanzibar archipelago, known for its lush landscapes, traditional villages, and exceptional marine environments. The island is particularly recognised for diving and snorkelling, with coral reefs that remain largely intact and less frequented.

A stay in Pemba is best suited to those looking for a more remote and immersive coastal experience, where the focus is on nature, simplicity, and time away from more developed tourist areas. It can be combined with a safari for a more diverse and less conventional itinerary.

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Activities such as diving, snorkelling, and fishing can be combined with experiences from a broader safari itinerary

Activities

These coastal destinations are often combined with time in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and other safari regions

Safari Destinations