Dar Es Salaam

The coastal metropolis of Dar es Salaam (view map) has three distinct beach areas, the first in the north and the second in the south, and each of them offers you unique beach experiences by themselves. The third beach area is within the city limits, in the Msasani Oysterbay suburbs, where you have the well-known local “Coco Beach”. The boutique Oysterbay Hotel has a view of the beach area. Coco is primarily visited by local Dar es Salaam residents – mostly in the early evenings and weekends. If you are visiting the beach, always ensure you have a local guide present with you at all times as the Coco beach area is not managed nor geared towards foreign tourists – safety can be a concern – there are no lifeguards present nor are there beach lockers. For a private beach experience in Oysterbay, you may want to visit Dar es Salaam Yacht Club close to Slipway. A temporary membership is required for entry. You may also opt to stay at the Tier 3 – Best Western Coral Beach Hotel but there is no proper sand beach there, just corals beneath. The Northern Dar es Saalam Coast is about 15 to 18 miles (25 to 30 kilometers) from the city in the Kunduchi and Jangwani beach areas, and has primarily value and commercialized sea resorts, ideal for budget guests looking for a value seaside experience to relax in a tranquil environment or for thrilling water sports – jets skiing to deep sea fishing.

For Value Tier 3 accommodations, you might want to choose from Kunduchi Beach Resort and Hotel White Sands. Popular with local Tanzanian residents of Dar es Salaam, Jangwani Sea Breeze Resort – split into two parts, has rooms and also a range of fun-filled activities for resident kids and adults alike. Kunduchi Beach Hotel and Resort offers you the delight of living in a Sultan’s Swahili summer abode, in little two story row cottages on the beach. Hotel Whitesands is a good choice for guests that are fans of watersports. The Ledger Plaza Bahari Beach Hotel is your choice if you are looking for AfricanMecca listed Tier 2 Deluxe accommodation. The Southern Dar es Salaam Coast (Ras Kutani Beach) is very different from the North Coast, and primarily has two accommodation choices geared towards international visitors, the Protea Hotel Amani Beach which is a value Tier 3 beach bungalow experience or the Ras Kutani Lodge – a Tier 1 premier, idyllic and rustic Robinson Crusoe like beach-chalet experience. Both accommodations offer you the opportunity to experience the seashore nature in its sublime untouched splendor owing to their quiet and out-of-the-way beach location. Ras Kutani Lodge is located close to a fresh water lagoon while the Protea Hotel Amani Beach is built along the lines of a Swahili seasonal getaway. Visit Dar es Salaam once (read more on trip idea) but properly and watch as the city and its beaches weave a magic spell around you.