Dar Es Salaam and The Beaches

Nestled along a natural harbour on the Indian Ocean with long stretches of sand-covered coastline, Dar Es Salaam guarantees some great experiences for beach lovers. While much of it is used for fishing or transport, there are miles upon miles of unspoiled beaches to choose from in Dar Es Salaam. It can be overwhelming and hard to know where to go at first. In no particular order, here are the top 12 beaches in Dar Es Salaam you can’t afford to miss.

Dar Es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest and richest city and it has grown to become a prosperous commercial centre of the East African region. While Dar Es Salaam boasts one of the world’s finest natural harbours it remains a place of fascination with many reminders of its colourful past. Dhows still work its waters while dug-outs, piled with fish, bob by the harbour side. The city displays the many cultural influences of its history - Arab, Indian, German & British. There is an Asian district with its speciality shops, restaurants and Sikh, Muslim and Hindu temples. The German colonisation has left behind a Bavarian-style railway station, the Roman Catholic St Joseph’s Cathedral and the Lutheran Azania Front Church. The Botanical Gardens and Gymkhana Club are evidence of British occupation. Visitors to Dar Es Salaam are well catered for, with a choice of accommodation for all budgets, from backpacker hostels to five-star hotels. For the business traveler, there are a number of hotels boasting world-class conference facilities. There’s a mind-boggling range of restaurants offering Thai, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Turkish Cuisine Ethiopian cuisine and more. Of course, you can also find local restaurants serving chipsi, ugali and nyama choma, freshly grilled meat. Dar Es Salaam is also Tanzania’s most prominent city for the arts,

fashion, media and music. The URITHI Heritage Festival is Tanzania’s cultural flagship to world tourism, taking place in Dar Es Salaam each year in September and October and promotes the heritage and the ideological implications of its historical narratives.

For art lovers the Nyerere Cultural Centre exhibits arts and handicrafts and the National Museum is well worth a visit. Dar Es Salaam offers a vibrant nightlife scene with traditional Taarab music and clubs playing jazz, afro funk and hip hop. Dar Es Salaam has become a very important centre for International and regional conferences. The Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre can host meetings and conferences for 1000 delegates. Scratch beyond the surface in Dar Es Salaam and you’ll find it’s a city rich in diversity and filled with character.

THE BEACHES OF DAR ES SALAAM

There is nothing as amazing as spending some time on a beautiful beach during a holiday or weekend break. Tanzania is a beautiful country blessed with an abundance of scenic beaches that sees locals and tourists thronging to. Dar Es Salaam’s beaches are often overshadowed by those of its offshore neighbour, Zanzibar, but prepare to be amazed. The white, fine sand beaches of Dar Es Salaam will take your breath away.

COCO BEACH

Also known as Oyster Bay Beach, featuring a lively atmosphere, Coco beach presents a perfect avenue for everyone to enjoy the ocean. Idyllic with stretches of almost clean sand, the popular beach on the east side of the Msasani peninsula is a favourite for both tourists and locals. It’s the first place most locals think of when it comes to beach relaxation and unwinding; it’s usually overcrowded during public holidays. The beach features a wide range of restaurants, bars, food stalls and outdoor entertainment.

SOUTH BEACH

The south beach is also referred to as “Kingamboni” and it’s the standout choice of the many beaches in the city. It has a pictureperfect setting with powdery sand, pristine waters, and waves that are ideal for swimming. It is located off Kigamboni Road on the south coast of the city. If you are looking for the best of regular live music, the south beach provides a perfect option. Cold beer, sodas, cocktails and Delicious foods are served in the different food stalls on the beach.

KUNDUCHI BEACH

“Remarkable”, “postcard-perfect”, “speechless” are some of the words used to describe Kunduchi Beach by tourists when they step on its shores. The white sandy beach sits on the lap of the gorgeous Indian Ocean and it’s perfect for an ultimate getaway. If you feel like lazing around, sink into the soft sand and let in the breath-taking sunshine.

MBUDYA ISLAND BEACH

Mbudya Island beach is one of the most untouched beaches in Tanzania. While the island is no

secret to locals, many tourists have no idea that it exists. You can get to the island by taking a 25-minute ferry ride from White Sands Beach Resort. You can also take a 10-minute boat ride from Msasani Slipway to the island. You can hole up on this piece of paradise and enjoy its seclusion and solitude. The island has no hotel or restaurant but you can enjoy some delicious grilled seafood freshly caught from the sea with a beer or soda in a banda.

BONGOYO ISLAND BEACH

This leisure island is a marine conservation area and it features beautiful beaches and a range of fun activities including snorkelling and swimming. You can get here by taking a boat from the Slipway shopping centre on the peninsula. The island is uninhabited so you can only spend a day here and go back to the city. When you get here, you can rent a banda – the little huts on the beach, relax and order your lunch. The beach combines a spectacular outlook, exceptional snorkelling conditions and walking opportunities along the stretches of the coastline.

BAHARI BEACH

Bahari beach situated at the North of Dar es Salaam is a perfect private paradise with plenty of space, consistent waves and a soothing atmosphere that makes for a great relaxing spot throughout the year. A very quiet and calm place, Bahari is perfect to relax, read a book, see some local life, swim in the ocean and drink a few cocktails at the local beach bar. Popular activities to do in Bahari includes kitesurfing and a range of water sports. From this long beach with white sand, you get to order some fresh seafood from the fishing village located at the one end.

AMANI BEACH

Even though the beaches on the mainland coast are often neglected, Amani Beach is different. Both locals and expatriates flock to this beach for a relaxing weekend getaway. The beach is a perfect combination of beautiful coastal landscapes and leisure activities off and on the water such as mountain biking, horse-riding, swimming, and surfing. Make some holiday memories at this beautiful stretch of extensive white beach.

WHITE SANDS

Clear blue water and a clean beach with nice sunbathing beds/chairs are what characterises this white sandy beach. From white sands, there is an opportunity to travel to some small islands by boat. This pristine beach is a perfect place to enjoy the ocean, sun, play volleyball and eat good food. Situated in White Sands Hotel in the north of Dar es Salaam, the beach features a nice bar next to the pool and restaurant with a beautiful ocean view.

MIKADI BEACH

The name “Mikadi” originates from the Mikadi tree that thrives along the beautiful coastline of Tanzania. This is the kind of beach anyone would love to spend a relaxing weekend. The beach facilities come with a beautiful swimming pool, a bar restaurant and food stalls for the best of homemade burgers. The beach has secured its place among the best beaches in the city for its mix of relaxing and fun experiences.

KIPEPEO BEACH

With the tropical turquoise water of the Indian Ocean, the Kipepeo beach amazes and entices everyone at all times. Located about 9 km from the city centre on the south coast, the sun-kissed beach is a year-round choice for those looking for some beach fun and adventures. We love it like that! Break away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a few minutes on this beach and you’ll feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Thanks to its peaceful atmosphere that works magic on people’s stress levels.

MBEZI BEACH

Mbezi Beach is located about 20 km north of the city centre, along Bagamoyo Road. The pristine beach is an untouched paradise, an idyllic coastal playground, and a great diving location. Mbezi beach is in close proximity to Karibu art gallery, some shops, an international school and some luxurious accommodation. With the variety of things to do and see, the beach is one of the most varied locations in the city, enjoyed by both locals and expatriates.

BAGAMOYO

Another Popular day excursion from the beach resorts and once the last stop for slave and ivory caravans from the interior en route to Zanzibar. It was the capital of German East Africa and was one of the most important trading ports along the East African coast. Many of the famous European explorers such as Henry Morton Stanley, Speke and Burton started their journeys of exploration from Bagamoyo. At the Catholic mission in the town the body of David Livingstone was placed here by his faithful servants before being sent to Westminster Abbey for his final burial. The local museum has a wonderful collection of photographs relating to David Livingstone’s life and explorations in Africa.

So, which among these enchanting beaches in Dar Es Salaam are you going to check out first? Whether you choose to go scuba diving to explore the island’s colourful coral reefs or end up basking under the sun in the midst of natural beauty, these Dar Es Salaam beaches are the perfect locales for your next beach holiday. Pack your bags at once and explore all these marvellous shores with a joyous vacation in Dar Es Salaam.

The magic of Dar Es Salaam’s Island is that it is a multi-faceted destination, offering a unique blend of idyllic beaches, intriguing history, cultural diversity, tasty cuisine, exotic spices, and rich flora and fauna.