Indian Ocean Mainland. The Tanzanian coastal coast is an area that people don’t always think about. Even though Zanzibar and the islands off the coast are very appealing, most people who visit Tanzania don’t even think about going to the mainland coast.
And I hope it stays that way for a long time, because the coast north and south of Dar es Salaam has some of the best beaches and most authentic culture experiences. They will stay charming without hordes of tourists, giving us a look back at what the area was like 100 years ago.

What do the beaches on Tanzania’s mainland look like?

Anyone planning a trip to Tanzania who wants to be alone should think about spending some of their time on the Indian Ocean mainland coast. These beaches are only a short flight from Dar es Salaam, and we really think that you should spend a short time on one of them at the start or end of your trip.

The only real problem with the island coast is that the coral reefs aren’t nearly as good as those in Zanzibar, Mafia, or Pemba, so most of the time you can’t go diving there. But the great thing about a hideaway on this beautiful stretch of white sand beach is how easy it is to get to and how luxurious the beach is.

Two great places to stay along this stretch of coast south of Dar are Ras Kutani and Amani Beach Hotel. The casual, barefoot comfort of Ras Kutani has been one of our all-time favorites at work for a long time, and many guests have only good things to say about it. The lodge is a stylish Polynesian-style beach shack hotel.

The rooms are made of bamboo and thatch and are set along a bay by the ocean. It is without a doubt one of the best places we list, and the price would be twice as high if it were on Zanzibar. Ras Kutani is a great place to stay for honeymooners in Tanzania. The nearby Amani Beach Hotel is in a similar spot, but its beach isn’t as nice. At only $100pppn, Amani is a great low-cost choice. You can find Tides Beach Lodge on the coast north of Dar. It’s a great, simple choice and the only lodge on the Tanzanian mainland coast that has good diving.

Years of work and wildlife development at Sadaani National Park have made it possible for one-of-a-kind East African safaris that include close encounters with wildlife, tracking elephants, and inland river safaris while also enjoying the fruits of the Indian Ocean. Now that there are a few great places to stay, this has become a real schedule option, especially for families with young children.