Tanzania Beach Holidays: Zanzibar, Mafia and Pemba

White sand, warm water and coral reefs, a short flight from the safari parks. Choose Zanzibar, Mafia Island or Pemba for a beach-only escape, or as the easy last chapter of a safari or Kilimanjaro climb.

Tailor Your Beach Holiday

Tell us your dates and what you love doing, and we'll suggest the right island and stay.

CUSTOMIZE MY TRIP
Fahamu Safaris fleet

Which Beach in Tanzania Is Right for You?

At Fahamu Safaris, we believe every safari should be a journey of transformation and deep connection with nature. Our team is born and raised in Tanzania's safari country, offering an authenticity and insight that's impossible to fake.

Zanzibar: Easy Beaches and Plenty to Do

Zanzibar is Tanzania's best-known beach island. In the north, around Kendwa and Nungwi, the sand is soft and the tide changes less, so you can swim most of the day. On the east coast, the sea pulls far out each morning and leaves shallow lagoons to explore. Beach days mix easily with snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll, a spice farm tour or a walk through Stone Town. Read more about Kendwa Beach in the north.

Mafia Island: Whale Sharks and Quiet Reefs

Mafia lies south of Zanzibar, off the Rufiji River delta, and much of its coast is protected by Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania's first marine park, set up in 1995. From about October to March, whale sharks gather off the island, and licensed boats take snorkellers out to see them while keeping a respectful distance. The rest of the year brings diving, dhow trips and empty sandbanks. See our Mafia Island guide.

Pemba Island: Green, Wild and Made for Divers

Pemba lies north of Zanzibar, across a deep channel. Early Arab sailors called it the Green Island, and it still feels that way, with clove farms, forest and fishing villages, and far fewer visitors than Zanzibar. The reefs around Misali Island, in the Pemba Channel Conservation Area, are among the best in East Africa for diving and snorkelling. Currents on the outer walls can be strong, so many dives suit experienced divers.

Zanzibar: Easy Beaches and Plenty to Do
Mafia Island: Whale Sharks and Quiet Reefs
Safari lodge

Tanzania's Beaches at a Glance

Use this quick guide to match the beach to your trip. Wherever you go, we book stays to suit your budget, from simple beach bungalows to mid-range hotels and luxury lodges. For rain and temperatures month by month, see Tanzania weather by month.

  • Zanzibar: best for first-time visitors, families and honeymooners. Good most of the year, driest from June to October.
  • Mafia Island: best for whale sharks, snorkelling and peace and quiet. Whale sharks from about October to March.
  • Pemba Island: best for divers and empty beaches. Best outside the long rains of March to May.
  • Saadani National Park: a beach and a safari in one place, on the mainland north of Dar es Salaam. Driest from June to October, on request.

Getting to the Beach

Reaching the coast from the parks or the mountain is easy, and we arrange every step:

  • After a northern safari or a Kilimanjaro climb, a short domestic flight takes you from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar.
  • From the southern parks, such as Nyerere National Park, light aircraft fly to Zanzibar and Mafia.
  • Mafia and Pemba are short flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, so you can combine two islands in one trip.
  • We meet you on arrival and handle the road transfers to your hotel.

For ready-made combinations, browse our safari and Zanzibar holidays or our honeymoon safaris.

Safe Swimming and Caring for the Reef

On Zanzibar's east coast the tide goes out a long way, so the best swimming times change through the day, and we'll tell you when to go in. On every boat trip we follow the marine park rules: life jackets on board, no touching coral, and whale sharks and dolphins are never chased. Your marine park fees help protect the reefs you swim over.

Plan Your Tanzania Beach Holiday

Tell us when you'd like to travel, who's coming and whether you want a safari first. We'll reply with an island plan that fits, with transfers, stays and boat trips arranged for you.

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What Our Guests

Testimonials

TripAdvisor wordmarkTripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2025

Highly recommend Fahamu Safaris

Izolda F It was wonderful and amazing trip in Tanzania and Zanzibar. The organization by Fahamu worked smoothly, starting with the booking (all our desires were carefully considered and fulfilled), upon arrival at the border between Kenya and Tanzania, and during the entire journey. The entire trip was perfectly organized by Fahamu Safaris and we always felt close to the team, which we really appreciated. The transfer to Zanzibar and the tour in Stone town and at the spice farm as well as the return trip, also went perfectly. Fahamu stuff was available for us at any time and extremely helpful. I urgently needed some medications, and the company bought this medication for me and delivered it to the car. I was very grateful for their kindness. However, the trip would not have become such a special experience without our driver and guide Frank. Frank was very responsible, competent, and extremely reliable. He is also an excellent driver, and we felt very safe with him. His smile brightened everything around him. We wish you, dear Frank, and all your family all the best for the future. We would like to thank the Fahamu team for the unforgettable and wonderful trip.

izoldaf2023
November 7, 2026

unforgettable animal encounters

In five days, we visited and drove through four wonderful parks in northwestern Tanzania with our competent and always pleasant driver/guide Frank. We were able to see and observe many animals in wonderful situations that we will never forget. On the 5th day, the "big five" were complete. After the safaris, we added a great week of swimming in Zanzibar. The entire trip was perfectly organized by Fahmu Safaris and we have from the 1st Contact with Fahmu until the last day of the trip always felt close to the organizer, which we really appreciated. Hakuna Matata

rolfmF3228OZ
October 26, 2026

Unforgettable trip

It was two wonderful weeks in Tanzania and Zanzibar. The organization by Fahamu worked smoothly, starting with the booking with Viktoria and Teresa, upon arrival at the airport, and during the entire safari week with a final excursion to the Napura waterfall. The transfer to Zanzibar and the tour in Stonetown, as well as the return trip, also went perfectly. Stella was available for us at any time on site. However, the trip would not have become such a special experience without our driver and guide Frank. He guided us through the safari stages responsibly, competently, and extremely reliably at all times. Frank is not only an excellent driver, but he also became a good friend who was able to tell us a lot about the country and life in Tanzania in very good German. We wish you, dear Frank, and your son all the best for the future. We would like to thank the Fahamu team for the unforgettable and absolutely recommendable trip.

Dream10483005965
October 23, 2026

Highly recommend Fahamu Safaris

Izolda F It was wonderful and amazing trip in Tanzania and Zanzibar. The organization by Fahamu worked smoothly, starting with the booking (all our desires were carefully considered and fulfilled), upon arrival at the border between Kenya and Tanzania, and during the entire journey. The entire trip was perfectly organized by Fahamu Safaris and we always felt close to the team, which we really appreciated. The transfer to Zanzibar and the tour in Stone town and at the spice farm as well as the return trip, also went perfectly. Fahamu stuff was available for us at any time and extremely helpful. I urgently needed some medications, and the company bought this medication for me and delivered it to the car. I was very grateful for their kindness. However, the trip would not have become such a special experience without our driver and guide Frank. Frank was very responsible, competent, and extremely reliable. He is also an excellent driver, and we felt very safe with him. His smile brightened everything around him. We wish you, dear Frank, and all your family all the best for the future. We would like to thank the Fahamu team for the unforgettable and wonderful trip.

izoldaf2023
November 7, 2026

unforgettable animal encounters

In five days, we visited and drove through four wonderful parks in northwestern Tanzania with our competent and always pleasant driver/guide Frank. We were able to see and observe many animals in wonderful situations that we will never forget. On the 5th day, the "big five" were complete. After the safaris, we added a great week of swimming in Zanzibar. The entire trip was perfectly organized by Fahmu Safaris and we have from the 1st Contact with Fahmu until the last day of the trip always felt close to the organizer, which we really appreciated. Hakuna Matata

rolfmF3228OZ
October 26, 2026

Unforgettable trip

It was two wonderful weeks in Tanzania and Zanzibar. The organization by Fahamu worked smoothly, starting with the booking with Viktoria and Teresa, upon arrival at the airport, and during the entire safari week with a final excursion to the Napura waterfall. The transfer to Zanzibar and the tour in Stonetown, as well as the return trip, also went perfectly. Stella was available for us at any time on site. However, the trip would not have become such a special experience without our driver and guide Frank. He guided us through the safari stages responsibly, competently, and extremely reliably at all times. Frank is not only an excellent driver, but he also became a good friend who was able to tell us a lot about the country and life in Tanzania in very good German. We wish you, dear Frank, and your son all the best for the future. We would like to thank the Fahamu team for the unforgettable and absolutely recommendable trip.

Dream10483005965
October 23, 2026

Tanzania Travel Guide

Helpful ideas before you start planning your safari.

Best Time to Visit

Understand Tanzania's seasons, wildlife movement, and the Great Migration windows.

National Parks

Compare Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and other safari highlights.

What to Pack

A practical packing guide for game drives, bush camps, and changing safari weather.

Safari & Zanzibar

Plan the perfect balance between wildlife adventure and Indian Ocean relaxation.

Tanzania Travel Guide

Helpful ideas before you start planning your safari.

Best Time to Visit

Understand Tanzania's seasons, wildlife movement, and the Great Migration windows.

National Parks

Compare Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and other safari highlights.

What to Pack

A practical packing guide for game drives, bush camps, and changing safari weather.

Safari & Zanzibar

Plan the perfect balance between wildlife adventure and Indian Ocean relaxation.

Tanzania Beach Holiday FAQs

Zanzibar has Tanzania's most popular beaches, such as Kendwa and Nungwi in the north and Paje on the east coast. Mafia Island is best for whale sharks and quiet reefs, and Pemba for diving and empty beaches. The mainland has beaches too, near Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo and Pangani, but most travellers choose an island.

No. Arusha is an inland city at the foot of Mount Meru, far from the Indian Ocean. The closest beach holiday is Zanzibar, a short flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport, so many travellers fly to the coast straight after their safari.

June to October is the driest and most popular time, and December to February is hot and calm. March to May is the long rainy season, with heavy showers. Whale shark season on Mafia Island runs from about October to March. To plan the whole trip, see the best time to visit Tanzania.

Yes. Many travellers spend a few nights on the beach after their safari. From Arusha or Kilimanjaro you fly to Zanzibar, and from the southern parks you can fly to Zanzibar or Mafia. We arrange the flights and transfers for you.

It depends on what you want. Zanzibar has the most choice of hotels, beaches and trips. Mafia is quieter and best for whale sharks and marine life, while Pemba suits divers and travellers who want empty beaches. You can also combine Zanzibar with Pemba or Mafia in one trip.

Whale sharks usually gather off Mafia Island from about October to March, and numbers change from year to year. Sightings are never guaranteed because they are wild animals. Trips go out with licensed boats that keep a respectful distance and never chase them.

Yes. Saadani National Park, north of Dar es Salaam, is Tanzania's only coastal national park. You can go on game drives, take a boat trip on the Wami River to see hippos and crocodiles, and rest on a quiet beach. The beaches are wild rather than resort-style, and animals on the sand are a lucky bonus, not a promise.