The 5 most beautiful beaches in Tanzania

With its relaxed, peaceful lifestyle and hospitable people, Tanzania is a great destination that offers visitors a variety of incredible sights and activities. With the towering Kilimanjaro, the majestic wildlife of the Serengeti and of course the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania is a pleasure to travel; it offers a remarkable variety of different landscapes in a single country.

Tanzania's beaches are picture-perfect, and you often have them all to yourself to enjoy.

Paje Beach

If you're looking for a quiet retreat, the sleepy village of Paje Beach on the east coast of Unguja is the place for you. Located about an hour from Stone Town, the beach is idyllic. The brilliant white sand is fringed by turquoise waters, and palm trees provide shade from the blazing sun. Along the coast you'll find some excellent restaurants and hotels. Paje beach is a popular spot for kite surfers, who can whiz across the warm water when the wind is right.

Travel Tip: One of the most remarkable things about Paje is that the tide recedes to the horizon, so at low tide you can walk out into the Indian Ocean for miles while the water only reaches your ankles. It's an amazing experience, especially worthwhile at night when you can feel the pull of the moon on the water as it shimmers in the moonlight.

Nungwi Beach

With its stunning location on the northern tip of the island, Nungwi Beach is a wonderful place to laze around and has a more relaxed and down-to-earth atmosphere than neighboring Kendwa Beach. The brilliant white sand borders the sparkling Indian Ocean, and the warm waters are ideal for swimming. Sunsets here are particularly impressive, as the water turns a whole range of dazzling shades of orange, yellow and red. Also, at this time of year, a whole fleet of dhows - local fishing boats - take to the waters for night fishing; their sails stand out beautifully against the sunset and make for fantastic photos.

Travel Tip: If you are an avid diver, you should definitely explore the underwater world here. The Mnemba Atoll and the Haunted Wall are just two of the nearby underwater highlights.

Kendwa

Located on the northwest coast of Unguja, Kendwa Beach is one of the liveliest and most touristy parts of Zanzibar and the place to be if you're looking for top-notch nightlife. Kendwa Rocks, for example, organizes monthly full moon parties where you can party on the beach until the wee hours of the morning. In addition to the beautiful sun-drenched beach, Kendwa has numerous bars, restaurants and hotels.

There are a variety of activities and day trips for visitors with snorkeling and diving being particularly fantastic. The waters on site are teeming with marine life and there are some beautiful coral reefs.

Travel Tip: Dinner with a view of the sunset over the sea is unforgettable.

Prison Island

The tiny Prison Island is surrounded by beautiful blue water and is very picturesque. Its proximity to Stone Town on Unguja makes it a popular destination. Changuu" - as it is sometimes called - has been used several times throughout history, including as a slave port and quarantine station. Today, the island is overgrown with trees, and at one end is a sanctuary for Giant tortoises. The remains of the prison, which never housed prisoners, are scattered here and there.

With a gorgeous beach, fantastic snorkeling opportunities just offshore, and amazing views, Prison Island is well worth a visit to Stone Town. The boat ride there and back is equally entertaining as you glide over the waves to the remote island.

Nakupenda Beach

The most spectacular of Stone Town's beaches, Nakupenda Beach (which means "I love you" in Swahili) is actually a sandbar just a short boat ride from Zanzibar's capital. Relaxing on the white sand and gazing out over the Indian Ocean is a fantastic experience. The turquoise water invites you to swim and snorkel, and you really feel like you are on a paradise island.

Relax in one of the beach bars and watch the sun go down to end the day. After spending the whole day on the beach, the boat ride back to Stone Town is something special.

Travel Tip: If you go to Nakupenda Beach, be sure to bring a beach umbrella because there is no shade on the sandbar.

You want to experience Tanzania live?

In addition to the alluring coastline with its idyllic islands and gorgeous beaches, Tanzania has a lot more to offer. Before relaxing on the beach, would you like to experience a unique adventure? Then climb with us the highest mountain of Africa, the Kilimanjaro. With our 8 days round trip you will experience incredible views over Kenya and Tanzania, as well as swim in waterfalls and immerse yourself in African traditions.

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