The beaches of Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam lies on the coast of Tanzania near the equator. So it should come as no surprise that the beautiful beaches are a great draw to both locals and visitors. Although many take the ferry to the island of Zanzibar for their beach holiday, there are plenty of options nearby.

Beach
The view from South Beach

The view from South Beach

The city beaches

Kigamboni, also known as South Beach, is located in a quiet area to the southeast of the city centre and is accessible by car and by ferry. The hotels offer outstanding facilities, but you may simply wish to rent a thatched parasol on the public beach. For a more local flavour, head to Coco Beach on the east side of the Msasani peninsula north of downtown. Boasting a lively atmosphere, the beach features food stalls and hosts regular live music.

A crab on a Bongoyo beach

A crab on a Bongoyo beach

Small paradises along the coast

Travel towards North Beach to the White Sands Hotel at Jangwani Beach. From here you can catch the ferry to the small island of Mbudya. Spend the day on a fabulous beach and enjoy fresh fish straight from the Indian Ocean. Another island that makes for a perfect and relaxing getaway is Bongoyo. This island is surrounded by a marine reserve that provides fantastic snorkelling opportunities. Boats to this area leave from The Slipway shopping centre in Dar es Salaam.

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